Unless the text says anything besides... PayPal: ###### is your security code. Don't share your code. ...then no it wasn't a phishing attempt. The request definitely came as a result of some malicious actor, but the message itself is likely authentic. I've received a PayPal phishing attempt via SMS before, it was from a six-digit phone number from which I previously received legitimate verification codes from AOL, Yahoo and Sony. That phishing attempt was formatted like this: 100140048 is your ID/CODE, [PayPal]: You have an outstanding payment as of 12/31/2023. Pay at to proceed without verification code. Chances are someone was just trying to log into your account, and this triggered PayPal to send you a code for verification. All you need to do is update your password and set 2FA (which you already did) and you should be fine. Answer from Hipp013 on reddit.com
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PayPal
paypal.com › myaccount › security
Log in to your PayPal account
Already set up to use your mobile number to log in? Type it below. Otherwise, click the link to log in with email. Forgot your email address? Go to the PayPal website to recover it. PayPal One Touch™ only works for checkout. Please login with your email.
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PayPal
paypal.com › uk › signin
Log in to your account
Approve login using mobile device ... code · Log in with your password · Sign Up · Open the PayPal app, tap Yes on the prompt, then tap {twoDigitPin} on your phone to log in....
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/paypal › paypal login: is there a way to require something beyond just sms code?
r/paypal on Reddit: PayPal login: Is there a way to require something beyond just SMS code?
December 15, 2023 -
  • I currently have PayPal set up without 2FA. (I'm okay with this for now because it is only linked to a very small bank account.)

  • When I sign in, I can either use my password or receive a code via SMS (I don't need both).

  • I would like to make it so that I cannot sign into PayPal using ONLY an SMS code. Like for example, I would be fine with any of the following:

    • SMS code is not an option, you must provide password and/or email code.

    • You must provide BOTH password AND an SMS code.

    • I would also be okay with it requiring a second factor like 2FA/hardware, but I'd rather not.

Is there a way to do this?

I'm sort of going for "medium security," but I will go to "high security" if I must.

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PayPal
paypal.com › an › cshelp › article › what-is-a-passkey-and-how-do-i-use-it-to-log-in-to-my-paypal-account-help997
What is a passkey and how do I use it to log in to my PayPal account? | PayPal AN
If your email is remembered, then click on the Login button to start the login with a passkey. Choose Other options, “Passkey from a nearby device,” or similar on the pop-up screen, and then follow the onscreen instructions to display a QR code on the screen.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/nostupidquestions › paypal sending a security code despite no login attempts from me
r/NoStupidQuestions on Reddit: Paypal sending a security code despite no login attempts from me
May 8, 2024 -

I received a text from 20312 stating that "Paypal: [imagine random 6 digit numbers here] is your code for login. Don't share your code."

Have not logged in to Paypal for quite some time so this is a surprise. I assumed someone was trying to access my account however every time I do sign into Paypal, the text is always from 72975, which is PayPal's official number. The message is also slightly different. "Paypal: [6 digits] is your security code. Don't share your code."

I have updated my password and enabled 2FA to be on the safe side.

So, if the one I received from 20312 is a phising attempt, how does that even work to steal my information? There is no link for me to click on and I'm doubtful that code they sent would even work.

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PayPal
paypal.com › us › cshelp › topic › help_login_and_security_personal
Login & Security | PayPal US
Login & Security · Seller Tools · Home · Resolution Center · Fix transaction and account related issues · Tax center · Get your 1099-K and other tax info here · Business Help · Get help with using any of our PayPal products · Technical Help · Find out how PayPal works for your business ·
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PayPal Community
paypal-community.com › t5 › Transactions › How-can-i-receive-a-security-code-on-email › td-p › 3105532
How can i receive a security code on email? - PayPal Community
Due to account security reasons, we do not have an option to send a verification code via email and it's sent via registered phone number. Please check with your phone service provider if there is an option to activate International roaming for your phone number and to receive a text message.
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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How to Log In to PayPal Without Your Phone Number | Easy Account Access Fix! - YouTube
How to Log In to PayPal Without Your Phone Number | Easy Account Access Fix!Can't access your PayPal account because you don't have your phone number? In thi...
Published   September 8, 2024
Find elsewhere
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Quora
quora.com › How-can-I-access-my-PayPal-account-when-it-requires-a-code-sent-to-my-old-phone-number-to-log-in
How to access my PayPal account when it requires a code sent to my old phone number to log in - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): It would be helpful if these posts had dates. I am physically in Thailand, but I have a U.S. mailing addy, and all of my bank and credit card stuff is out of that U.S. addy. As of today, Thu 25 May 2023, I am locked out of my PayPal account that I have had for 20 years (!!!). In ...
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Scribe
scribe.rip › paypal-allows-bypassing-two-factor-auth-with-a-button-click-claims-its-for-your-protection-ce1d0dc9a28a
PayPal Allows Bypassing Two-Factor Auth With a Button Click — Claims “It’s For Your Protection”
In their infinite wisdom, PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) implemented a super convenient method of logging in that doesn’t require having to remember a pesky password. It’s called “Log in with a one-time code” and it‘s terrible. ✍︎The “Log in with a one-time code” button appears anytime you’ve typed in an email address that’s linked to a PayPal account.
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PayPal Community
paypal-community.com › t5 › Managing-Account-Archives › Asks-for-verification-code-every-time-I-login › td-p › 3050683
Asks for verification code every time I login - PayPal Community
For help with accessing your PayPal account, your best option would be to reach out to us over the phone. I recommend you to click the 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of the page. From here, if you click the 'Password and Account Access' option, then 'Login Problems'. you will see "Call Us" option at the bottom of the page during working hours.
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Xoom
xoom.com › sign-in
Sign In | Xoom, a PayPal Service
You confirm you are at least 18 years old and you accept the Xoom User Agreement. When logging in or signing up with PayPal, we’ll create and link your PayPal account to Xoom. For residents of Australia, you also confirm acceptance of the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure ...
Top answer
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If you have not done so, Read our FAQ! which answers most questions. Please note that with the current CoVid-19 crisis that support is very limited at PayPal. No one here can fix that or offer solutions. The most common answer is to telephone PayPal support. However at this time such a call may be frutile, though you can keep trying. Try contacting PayPal support using social media such as Facebook or Twitter as this works more often than telephoning. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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It wasn't published, but I wrote the same thing as you! I want to log in to paypal, I haven't used it this year. When I created the account, I entered my mobile phone number. That is more than 5 years. I had that number canceled 2 years ago. Until then, paypal had never asked him. I didn't even know I had it attached to that account. I forgot. I'll sign in. Email, password. Enter. All ok. Requires verification. SMS or call (EU customer). Here's the end, I'm looking for a solution. smarthelp/contact-us -> Common Issues->Password and account access-> Your issue: Login problems -> If you still need help, we recommend you go to our Resolution Center Resolution Center Resolve transaction or account issues CLICK https://www.paypal.com/signin/?returnUri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.com/disputes LOGIN again! It wants SMS again! Paypal always asks for an SMS that you do not have, because you do not have the number and you want to change, delete that phone number, but you have no option because you will not receive an SMS to get into your account change it. If you will lose your phone number you do not have the opportunity to access your Paypal account or contact the company to solve it. Paypal can only be contacted by entering the SMS code (LogIn). You can only change the mobile number when you enter the SMS code. To a number that no longer exists. The Paypal Europe does not even have a published email. UK: https://www.paypal.com/uk/smarthelp/contact-us Message us Please log in to send us a message WHY ????????????????????????? Paypal, why login for a simple question, request how to log in when you send an sms to a non - existent number so I can write you question how to solve it ? I haven't experienced an idiotic system anywhere else. Literally an idiotic system without the use of the brain. On December 16, paypal will take some money from me (I don't know how much, maybe nothing, maybe a few cents, maybe more). For me, cheap shopping from ebay, asian shops ends next year (+tax + duty), this only speeded up why I will no longer need paypal. Everywhere else, a payment card is enough. Bye Paypal!
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PayPal
paypal.com › us › cshelp › article › how-do-i-log-into-paypal-using-qr-code-help254
How do I log into PayPal using QR code? | PayPal US
If you try to scan the QR code with your phone camera and don't have the app installed, you'll be automatically directed to download the latest version before logging into your PayPal account with your email and password.
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Google
sites.google.com › abcswaps.com › paypal-login › home
PayPal Login | My PayPal Account Login | Sign In
With two-step verification, you’ll ... 💻 or after a period of inactivity ⏳. You can choose to receive this code via text message 📱 or your PayPal-linked email address 📧....
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Forbes
forbes.com › forbes homepage › innovation › cybersecurity
PayPal Security—2FA Codes To Be Replaced By Single-Step Login
May 15, 2025 - The new and enhanced security update, ... login process that doesn’t involve 2FA codes. But in light of ongoing attacks against PayPal accounts using emails sent from genuine PayPal addresses, how will this help protect you from hackers and scammers? Here’s everything you need to know. ForbesGoogle Warns Of National Security Threat From Cybercrime AttacksBy Davey Winder · I received an email from PayPal support on the morning of Feb. 28, with the subject ...
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PayPal Community
paypal-community.com › t5 › My-Account-Archives › Can-PayPal-send-a-verification-code-to-my-email-address-rather › td-p › 2011871
Can PayPal send a verification code to my email ad... - PayPal Community
Can PayPal send a verification code to my email ad... ... I've noticed that when I make a purchase with some online merchants, I need to provide a verification code to prove I'm me and complete the transaction. The transaction screen shows that PayPal wants to send the verification code via SMS to a U.S.