Email Invoice Scam Alert (August 2025)
Last updated: Aug 22, 2025
ALERT: Scammers are sending fake “PayPal” invoices and order confirmations with phone numbers like 806-238-3957 and 888-238-3957. These messages did not come from us. Our only valid phone number is 800-238-3957.
Key facts — we were NOT compromised:
- These emails are NOT coming from our accounts. They are being sent from temporary, bogus Gmail addresses (not @paypal.com and not our domain).
- Our email system is secure. We use multiple layers of protection on inbound and outbound mail (including authentication policies). No breach occurred.
- Our payment systems are secure. They remain protected behind 2-factor authentication and firewall controls. No payment accounts were accessed.
- Our order systems are secure. No customer orders or records were compromised.
In short: this is pure impersonation — someone created a throwaway Gmail account and sent fake invoices to random recipients to trick them into paying amounts not due.
What happened
- Customers reported receiving emails titled “Order Confirmation” or “Invoice” with a random order number (e.g., 44EW72324).
- The PDF attachment shows a bogus charge (e.g., a small BTC amount) and tells you to call a “support” number to cancel.
- The phone numbers used in these emails are look-alikes for our real number: 806-238-3957 and 888-238-3957.
Fast advice
- Do not call the number in the email or PDF.
- Do not click links and do not open attachments (they can be malicious).
- Verify any real invoices by logging in directly at paypal.com (not through the email).
- Report the message (instructions below) and then delete it.
How to tell if it’s fake
- It references an order or invoice you don’t recognize and urges you to “call now to cancel/refund.”
- The phone number is not our number (800-238-3957) and not PayPal’s official support.
- The email is from a random Gmail address or a look-alike domain (not from
@paypal.comand not from our domain). - The attachment is an image-only PDF with a big “support” number and vague details.
Double-check inside your PayPal account
Open a new browser tab and sign in at paypal.com. Go to Activity → Invoices. If you don’t see the invoice number there, it’s not real.
Report the scam
- Forward the email (with headers, if possible) to phishing@paypal.com.
- Forward to the Anti-Phishing Working Group: reportphishing@apwg.org.
- File a complaint with the FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- For number spoofing/VoIP abuse, you can also report to the FCC: consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.
Our contact information
If you want to verify anything with us directly:
- Official phone: 800-238-3957
- Website: TIE Office-Mates
- Tip: If you’re ever unsure, call the number above or use the contact link on our website. Do not use phone numbers listed inside suspicious emails or PDFs.
FAQ
Q: Why did I reach your real number when I called a different one?
A: Scammers sometimes set up typo-look-alike numbers (like 806 or 888 instead of 800) or use call-forwarding/caller-ID spoofing to make their messages look connected to a real business.
Q: I already called them and gave info. What now?
A: Contact your bank or card issuer immediately, change any passwords you shared, and consider a malware scan if you installed any remote-access software at their request.
Q: How do I send email headers with my report?
A: In Gmail: open the email → three dots (⋮) → Show original → Download original. Attach that file when reporting.
We take security and privacy seriously. Thank you for helping us stop fraud. If you have questions, please call 800-238-3957 or use the contact link on our site.