Pay safely
Paying someone new? Check your protections.
Choose the payment type for the transaction, especially when buying from an unfamiliar person.
Identify the transaction
Are you sending a personal transfer, using an eligible purchase checkout, or paying with a card through a wallet? Check the actual payment type rather than relying only on the provider’s name.
Read the terms before paying
PayPal excludes Friends and Family payments from Purchase Protection. Other services and transaction types have their own eligibility rules. A seller telling you to use a personal transfer for a purchase deserves a closer look.
Keep the agreement
Save the listing, price, delivery promises, and transaction record in your own files. Do not rely on the seller’s screenshot as evidence of a payment.
Sources & further reading
- PayPal · Learn about scams Provider guidance
- FTC · Online shopping Government guidance
- Venmo · Common scams Provider guidance
Reviewed October 27, 2026. Provider terms and support routes can change.