Paypal Instant Payment Notification Warning – Is this a legit email from PayPal?

The email you received about a PayPal Instant Payment Notification (IPN) Warning could be legitimate, but it’s important to be cautious. Here’s how to determine its legitimacy:

Signs of a Legit Email:

• Email address: Check the sender’s email address. It should be from an official PayPal domain, like “@[invalid URL removed]” or “@paypal.com”. Don’t trust emails with generic addresses or free email service providers.
• Login to PayPal: Instead of clicking links in the email, log in to your PayPal account directly through a trusted source like a bookmarked webpage.
• Review IPN settings: Within your PayPal account settings, you can usually find a section for “Instant Payment Notifications” or “IPN.” Check if your IPN URL matches the one mentioned in the email warning.

If You’re Unsure:

• Forward the email to PayPal: PayPal has a process for forwarding suspicious emails to them for investigation. You can find the instructions on their website by searching for “phishing” or “spoofing” (https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/how-do-i-spot-a-fake-fraudulent-or-phishing-paypal-email-or-website-help164).

It’s unlikely, but the email could be a phishing attempt. Phishing emails try to trick you into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. By following the steps above and avoiding clicking links in the email, you can stay safe.