I've had numerous fake PayPal emails that weren't actually from PayPal but were phishing scams trying to trick me into sending personal information. They typically show some large purchase, or suggest that someone has stolen your identity, in order to incite worry. 
 
Here's an example:
 
We are writing you this email in regards to your PayPal account. In accordance with our "Terms and Conditions", article 3.2., we would like to kindly ask you to confirm your identity by completing the attached form.
Please print this form and fill in the requested information. Once you have filled out all the information on the form please send it to verification@paypal.com along with a personal identification document (identity card, driving license or international passport) and a proof of address submitted with our system ( bank account statement or utility bill )
 
It's a trick to get you to open the attachment.

Yep, seen a few similar to those. Paypal will always refer to you by name in emails, scammers usually put 'Dear Customer'.

Susan G
Hi-
Has anyone else ever had one of these? I got an email receipt for an $850 payment for an iPad which of course I never ordered. The shipping address was "Unconfirmed", which is what I guess flagged it for PayPal.
Thanks-
...
-Susan

I would find my way to yoru state's Consumer Protection Agency and fill out a complaint!
 
AND QUICK!
 
I had a similar situation with the Bank of America subsidiary!
 

Moshkiae
AND QUICK!

Thank goodness for time machines!!! 

Susan, here's a little advice for you and anyone else using Paypal.
 
Here is how I do my account. I have a sub-account at my bank that has it's own debit Mastercard. It's tied to my checking account, but it is an actual separate account. Per my instruction, the bank will NOT cover any charges to that account that are not covered by the funds within the account. In other words, NO overdraft protection. When I want to make a purchase using Paypal, I go online and transfer the funds from my main checking account into the sub-account to cover the amount of the purchase. It's pretty much fraud proof protection.
 
Randy

Why would anyone wake up a thread that's four years old, leading others (like me) to reply. Yes, I'm a little embarrassed.

rontarrant

Susan Gand they contacted me about it, saying my account was restricted due to a possible unauthorized payment. I had to change my password and confirm a security code via phone before I could access my account again.

This is the part that makes me think this is a scam.
 
If "they" contacted you, "they" could be anyone pretending to be PayPal.
 
Now that you've changed your password and security code, "they" (whoever they are) has your PayPal info.
 
I would do the following:
- log onto the PayPal website by typing paypal.com into the URL line of your browser (no cheating here, no link-clicking or shortcuts and definitely DO NOT go back to that email and click on the link they provided; this will ensure you aren't going to somewhere other than PayPal's site)
- change your password
 

Agree... my policy is to delete any emails I get from any sort of site like PayPal or any bank or CC company. If I am suspicious, I change my passwords... of course then I promptly for get what I changed it to and have to get them to send me an email the next time I want to login... then do it again... then maybe I will remember it.
 
I NEVER reply to ANY email that wants me to reset my password. I (and anyone else) should go, on your own, in a new window, to the website in question, login, and if necessary change the PW. You cannot trust ANY email that gives you a link to use to change a PW. Scammers will set up websites that look EXACTLY like the site of the business in question.
 
For any international transaction, if you don't want to have any problems, ONLY use Western Union money transfers. Then you get your money and you are taking NO chances. You can sell on Ebay to any country if you ONLY accept Western Union wired money. The buyer takes a risk but not you.
 
Someone used my AMEX a few years ago. My daughter had used it to buy some tickets or something and on the next bill there was a purchase for dugout level Atlanta Braves/NY Yankees seats. It was out of character for my account and I had no trouble with AMEX, they didn't charge me and issued me a new card right away.
 
I hate a thief! I guess it was about 15 years ago when Wal-Mart started a policy of looking in your bags when you left the store and comparing with your receipt, I was offended because of my ignorance of the problem. Then I was at a convenience store, part of a chain of stores I was servicing. At that time they still displayed cigarettes on the counter. They had lost over 100 dollars worth of cigarettes, stolen, in one shift. THAT opened my eyes. I was really shocked because I don't steal things and from then on I didn't mind Wal-Mart looking in my bags. I mean really... you can't trust anyone it seems... family will steal from you, strangers will scam you. It is sad but I am wiser now.
This was a good thread to resurrect.
 
I just wish I could remember new passwords... I know there is some sort of password locker on my phone but I don't know how to use it. On most sites I let Windows remember my PWs and I have a fingerprint scanner on my computer.
 
Julien

I just checked my Paypal account and there's no problem in mine, but I couldn't help but notice this on the first Google page:
 
PayPal  has 43,068 followers on Google+
 
Who the hell follows Paypal???
 
And why would some 43,000+ do so???

Holy 4 years ago people!!!  (those of you who are answering Susan!!!!)

Beagle
Holy 4 years ago people!!!  (those of you who are answering Susan!!!!)

You say this as if any of the people replying are bothering to read any of the intervening posts (where this has already been repeatedly repeatedly pointed out).