Description

Paypal Security alert – Is it legit?

**PayPal Security Alert: Is it Legit?**

As a loyal PayPal user for over 18 years, I recently received a strange message that had me questioning the authenticity of the notification. It was a PayPal security alert, but was it really from PayPal? The message read:

“PayPal security alert: Did you sign in to your account at 04:14 AM BST, 17-Jul-2020? If yes, reply ‘Y’. If no, reply ‘N’. Message and data rates apply.”

I’ve never received a message like this before, and my account seems to be in good standing. My first instinct was that it was a phishing scam, and I’m not alone in thinking so. The good news is that I’m not the only one who received this message, and I’ve found others who have raised similar concerns online.

So, is this a legitimate security alert from PayPal or is it a scam? The answer is not clear-cut. While PayPal does send notifications to users to alert them of changes to their accounts, this particular message seems unusual and raises several red flags.

**Red Flags**

1. **Unusual timing**: The message asks if you signed in to your account at a specific time, which is unusual. PayPal typically sends notifications about account activity, but it doesn’t usually specify a specific time.
2. **Lack of details**: The message doesn’t provide any specific details about the sign-in activity or what triggered the alert. Legitimate security alerts usually provide more context.
3. **Request for reply**: The message asks you to reply with either ‘Y’ or ‘N’, which is an unusual way for PayPal to communicate with users. Typically, PayPal sends notifications and provides instructions on what to do next.

**Conclusion**

While it’s possible that this message is a legitimate security alert from PayPal, I’m inclined to think that it’s not. The unusual timing, lack of details, and request for reply are all red flags that suggest this message may be a phishing scam.

If you receive a similar message, it’s best to exercise caution. Do not reply to the message or click on any links it may contain. Instead, log in to your PayPal account through the official PayPal website or mobile app, and check your account activity to see if there are any suspicious sign-ins.

**TL;DR**: A strange PayPal security alert message is circulating online, asking users if they signed in to their account at a specific time. While it’s possible that this message is legitimate, the unusual timing, lack of details, and request for reply suggest that it may be a phishing scam. Caution is advised, and it’s best to check your account activity directly through the PayPal website or app if you receive a similar message.