05/05/2025
‼️‼️👁️👁️EYES HERE!!!!👁️👁️‼️‼️
I've been doing art commissions for years and have had my fair share of encounters with PayPal scammers. Lately, they’ve stopped using robotic, scripted messages and are now chatting in a more casual, friendly tone & even trying to guilt-trip new artists who are still learning how PayPal works.
So I’m putting this together to help you understand how PayPal really works and how to spot the red flags.
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HOW PAYPAL ACTUALLY WORKS FOR ART COMMISSIONS (FOR ARTISTS)
• The artist should ask for the client’s PayPal email. This is so the artist can send a proper invoice through PayPal.
• The artist creates and sends an invoice via PayPal. Invoices include commission details, item name, price, and client email — this helps create a clear paper trail and protects both sides.
• The client receives an official email from PayPal with a button to pay. The client pays directly through the invoice. REMEMBER: The client is the one clicking a link or button. Not you. DO NOT CLICK ANY LINK YOU RECEIVE FROM THESE SCAM EMAILS.
• After payment, PayPal will email the artist. But don’t rely on the email alone. Always log in directly at paypal.com to check.
IF YOU DON’T SEE THE PAYMENT IN YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT, IT’S A SCAM — NO MATTER WHAT THE EMAIL SAYS.
• Optional: You can use a PayPal.Me link with trusted clients. (Example: paypal. me/YourUsername/)
• However, this doesn't offer the same paper trail or itemized protection as an invoice. [you can get this link from your paypal account]
WATCH OUT FOR THESE SCAM RED FLAGS:
• The client says “I already sent payment” — even though you never sent an invoice.
• You receive an email that says “You’ve been paid” but nothing appears in your PayPal account. Again, do not rely on the email you received, check your account.
• The client insists on sending money without an invoice.
• The client insists on not using an invoice and sends screenshots as "proof" of payment.
• You’re asked to ship art or refund money based on a “pending” or “overpaid” payment.
LEGIT PAYPAL EMAILS COME FROM ADDRESSES LIKE:
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
These emails usually address you by your full name. not “Hello user” or your email address. (this is because paypal themselves have details about you already)
‼️‼️FAKE/SCAM EMAILS OFTEN LOOK LIKE:
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
These emails might look real at first, but they usually contain odd domains, pressure tactics, and fake instructions. Scammers often use domains that look close to PayPal’s, but they’ll add words like “secure,” “payment,” or “verify.”
They often use pressure tactics and vague threats like “your account is limited.”
Reminder: Always log in directly at paypal.com to verify any payment. If it’s not in your account, it’s not real.
❓DOES PAYPAL HAVE A LIMIT FOR NON-BUSINESS (PERSONAL) ACCOUNTS?
• Yes, PayPal may have limits on how much money you can receive or withdraw if your account isn’t verified. (PayPal might ask you to verify your ID or bank account to lift those.)
• However, there’s no limit just because you’re using a personal account when receiving normal payments (like for commissions), as long as you verify your account when requested.
• But you don’t need a Business account to accept commissions. A Personal account works fine for most artists.
❓ DOES IT COST MONEY TO UPGRADE TO A BUSINESS ACCOUNT?
No, upgrading to a Business account is free. You can switch from Personal to Business at any time — PayPal will ask for more details (like a name for your business), but they won’t charge you.
‼️ SCAMMERS MAY SEND FAKE EMAILS LIKE THIS:
"You’ve received $500, but it’s pending because your PayPal account is not upgraded to Business. Please pay a $50 upgrade fee to receive your money."
⚠️ THIS IS FAKE. PayPal will never ask you to send money to “unlock” a payment or upgrade your account.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
• Never pay to receive money. Even when its not paypal, even from said company or studio. If they ask you to pay to work, that’s sus….That’s a major red flag.
• Always check your PayPal account directly. If you don’t see the payment in your actual dashboard, it’s not real — no matter what the email says.
• Legit upgrades or verification requests come from within your PayPal account, not from a random email asking for money or claiming you're being "restricted."
From paying friends to saving money or getting cash back when you shop, explore what the new PayPal app has to offer.
