The Federal Bureau issues an urgent warning: PayPal customers are targeted by fake calls
German authorities warn millions of PayPal customers about a wave of fraudulent phone calls. According to the Federal Network Agency, criminals are impersonating PayPal employees using recorded messages about fake transactions to deceive people and prompt them to disclose sensitive information.
The scam begins with an automated voice message claiming that PayPal was unable to process a transfer of 500 euros or a charge of 999 euros. Victims are then asked to press a button to confirm the alleged payment. Regardless of which button is pressed, the call is transferred to a fake employee who tries to obtain login details or PIN numbers or other personal information. Alongside these calls, PayPal users also face risks from phishing emails.
Officials have highlighted warning signs to identify this type of fraud. Calls often seem unnatural, involve threats of fines or penalties, and lack any legitimate reason or prior communication. Experts confirm that PayPal never requests payments or sensitive information over the phone.
Consumer protection groups, including the Consumer Advice Center in Saxony, have strongly condemned these practices. The head of the center, Heike Teubner, confirmed that these fraudulent operations clearly violate the law on unfair competition and urged users to be cautious and treat any call of this kind as a scam.
To protect themselves, PayPal customers are advised to hang up immediately, not to press any buttons, not to share any personal data or identification numbers over the phone, to block fraudulent numbers, and to report incidents to the Federal Trade Commission. Even people who do not actively use PayPal can be at risk, as stolen data is used through guest accounts. Therefore, regularly checking account activities and using only official PayPal platforms are essential steps to avoid falling victim.