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Is PayPal safe to use?

Safe

Yes, where it is offered. Buyer protection is strong, but scammers target PayPal users constantly.

Checked October 2026

Quick facts

Owned by
PayPal Holdings
Based in
San Jose, USA
Encryption
Encrypted in transit and at rest.
Data it collects
Identity documents, bank and card details, transaction history.
Minimum age
18+

What keeps you safe

  • Buyer and seller protection on eligible payments.
  • Two-step verification and passkeys.

Risks to know about

  • A coding error in the PayPal Working Capital loan app exposed some business customers' Social Security numbers from July to December 2025.
  • Credential-stuffing attacks hit about 35,000 accounts in late 2022.

Scams to watch for on PayPal

  • Fake invoices and money requests saying you owe money.
  • Buyers asking you to use "Friends and Family" to skip protection.
  • Overpayment scams asking you to refund the difference.

Is PayPal legit?

PayPal is legit. It is not offered in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and some other countries, so any "PayPal account" sold there is a risk.

Is it safe for kids?

Adults only.

How to use PayPal safely

  1. Turn on two-step verification.

  2. Never pay goods as Friends and Family.

  3. Log in by typing paypal.com, never through email links.

Where PayPal is restricted

Does a VPN make PayPal safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and protects you on public Wi-Fi. It can't stop PayPal collecting data or scammers messaging you.

Picked for privacy and getting messages through.

Proton VPN

Swiss-based with open-source apps and a free tier, plus a Stealth protocol for restrictive networks.

For strict networks: the Stealth protocol.

Try Proton VPN

NordVPN

Largest network of the six, with the NordWhisper protocol for networks that inspect traffic.

For strict networks: NordWhisper or obfuscated servers.

Try NordVPN

ExpressVPN

Obfuscation is switched on automatically on every server, so there is no special mode to find.

For strict networks: automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic).

Try ExpressVPN
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Private Internet Access, Surfshark and CyberGhost

Private Internet Access

Open-source apps, unlimited devices and servers in every US state, at a low price.

For strict networks: the Shadowsocks proxy option.

Try Private Internet Access

Surfshark

Unlimited devices on one plan, with NoBorders mode that switches on in restrictive regions.

For strict networks: NoBorders mode.

Try Surfshark

CyberGhost

Servers labelled for specific streaming services and a 45-day refund window on longer plans.

For strict networks: a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode).

Try CyberGhost

We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money

Questions people ask

Is PayPal safe to use?

Yes, where it is offered. Buyer protection is strong, but scammers target PayPal users constantly.

Is PayPal legit?

PayPal is legit. It is not offered in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkey and some other countries, so any "PayPal account" sold there is a risk.

Is PayPal encrypted?

Encrypted in transit and at rest.

What data does PayPal collect?

Identity documents, bank and card details, transaction history.

Is PayPal safe for kids?

Adults only.

Does a VPN make PayPal safer?

Partly. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi, so your network and ISP can't see what you do on PayPal. It does not stop PayPal itself from collecting data, and it does not protect you from scams inside the app.

Sources