Description

Reporting Money Request Amount Scam Attempt

## Targeted Scam: When a “Friend” Asks for Money Through PayPal

I’m writing this because I need to get the word out about a new, insidious PayPal scam I fell victim to. It’s designed to prey on trust and exploit familiar connections.

Here’s what happened: I received a money request on PayPal from someone I know. The amount wasn’t outrageous, so I immediately assumed it was legitimate. I reached out to the friend directly, confirming that the request wasn’t from them. Thankfully, I caught it early! It turns out someone has created a fake PayPal account using my known friend’s name and is attempting to trick people into sending them money.

What makes this particularly alarming is the faker used an email address I didn’t recognize. This suggests they’ve possibly managed to steal or access some of my PayPal data.

**My struggle for support:**

Making matters worse, my attempts to report this scam to PayPal have been frustrating. The Resolution Center couldn’t help, phone calls to supposed PayPal customer service and the associated bank only led to dead ends, as my situation didn’t involve a credit card.

**This needs to be addressed:**

It’s clear that PayPal needs to be aware of this new scam tactic. I urge anyone who receives a suspicious money request from someone they know, even if the amount seems small, to:

1. **Verify directly with your friend:** Never rely on the request information alone. Talk to them directly through a secure channel.

2. **Report the scam to PayPal:** Even if you met with roadblocks like I did, keep reporting it. Highlight the potential for stolen data and emphasize the urgency of addressing this new scam method.

3. **Share this warning:** Spread the word! The more people aware of this type of scam, the better equipped they’ll be to protect themselves.

**Let’s protect ourselves and each other. Stay vigilant!**