What are ‘Friends and Family’ payment scams?

Many scammers now ask for payments to be sent through peer-to-peer (P2P) payment services.

PayPal offers the 'Goods and Services' payment option for purchasing goods and services from sellers you may not know. Eligible Goods and Services payments can receive PayPal Buyer Protection.

‘Friends and Family’ payments aren't supported in your PayPal account, and they're not covered by PayPal Buyer Protection. You should use the “Goods and Services” payment type if you’re paying a seller for an item or service.

Imposter scams

Be wary of actors claiming to be from government agencies or reputable companies. They may claim there's a problem with your account or that you owe money. To resolve this issue, they'll ask you to send a payment and/or provide personal info.

Romance scams

Fake profiles on dating apps or social media that strike up a romantic interest may be trying to gain your confidence and trust. They then make up a story and ask for money. Don’t mistake that for the real thing.

Extortion/blackmail scams

Be wary of scammers who claim to have compromising images or videos of you and threaten to share them unless you give in to their demands. Do not pay the blackmailer or give them more intimate content.

Completely stop all communication with the blackmailer. Block them from your communication channels. Report them to the social media platform, if applicable. Take screenshots of the communication and accounts involved to keep as evidence. Also, take screenshots and save the URL if any content has been shared online.

People affected by this type of conduct may experience feelings of shame, anxiety, or isolation. As a result, they may feel reluctant to report it or seek support. In many cases, this conduct may be a crime and there are resources available. If possible, confide in trusted family members or friends. If you’ve been a victim of sextortion, please report it to your local authorities.

Investment and cryptocurrency scams

Carefully consider requests that seem too good to be true, especially those related to investments and cryptocurrency. Promises of high returns and minimal risk can mean you’re being misled. Beware of complex investment strategies and unlicensed advisors. Please also see our Acceptable Use Policy.

Property scams

Scammers have been known to create fake rental listings and convince victims to send money as a deposit to secure the property. Please be aware that real estate, including residential and rental property, is not eligible for our Buyer Protection.