Comparitech reported that the ratio of illicit listing price to stated PayPal account balance rose from 3.13 cents to about 9.2 cents per balance dollar—an increase of 293% compared with a similar study eight months earlier. That describes sampled listing values, not a tripling in the number of hacked accounts or a current price. Comparitech’s analysis was updated in 2023; ITPro reported the finding on September 8, 2021.
What “tripled in value” means
The headline refers to the price-to-balance ratio in Comparitech’s analysis of compromised PayPal-account listings. In the earlier comparison, listings averaged 3.13 cents in price for every dollar of stated account balance. In the later analysis, the ratio was about 9.2 cents per balance dollar. Comparitech described the change as a 293% increase over the earlier result.
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It does not mean that the number of hacked accounts tripled, that every stolen account became three times as expensive, or that this is what an account would sell for today. These were historical estimates from illicit listings collected during the pandemic period.
What Comparitech measured
Comparitech examined more than 200 PayPal account listings across 13 dark web marketplaces. It withheld the marketplace names, citing legal reasons. The report does not establish that the sample represents all listings or the wider market.
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Across the analysis, the reported average listing price was $196.50, while the average stated balance was $2,133.61. Comparitech also reported a strong correlation between account balance and listing price (r = 0.87). That indicates the two figures tended to move together in this sample; it does not show that balance alone determines every listing’s price.
Reported averages by account type
Comparitech’s account-category figures are averages from its historical listing sample, not legal offers or current market prices. The approximate price per balance dollar below is calculated from the report’s average price and balance for each category.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
| Account type | Average listed price | Average stated balance | Approximate price per balance dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $161.59 | $1,732.85 | 9.3 cents |
| Premier | $186.31 | $2,029.95 | 9.2 cents |
| Business | $246 | $2,684.29 | 9.2 cents |
The overall average ratio was about 9.2 cents per balance dollar. The category ratios are approximate calculations from rounded averages, so small differences should not be treated as meaningful. Because account balance was strongly correlated with listed price, the category averages do not show that account type by itself explains the price differences.
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Comparitech identifies phishing and malware as ways criminals may obtain account credentials. Stolen credentials can be used in attempts to access PayPal balances and connected financial sources. The report’s findings concern alleged criminal activity; they do not quantify the risk to any individual PayPal user.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
How to reduce the risk of account takeover
- Be cautious with unexpected messages or links that ask you to sign in. Phishing can trick people into revealing credentials.
- Use a strong, unique password for PayPal. A password reused on another service may be exposed elsewhere and tested against PayPal through credential stuffing.
If you suspect unauthorized access, use PayPal’s current official help channels for reporting and recovery guidance. The historical analysis does not establish the procedures available today.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
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- Visa Virtual eGift Cards are designed for online use only. Gift Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions: a.co/5bw3qXJ
- When you access your Visa Virtual eGift Card for the first time, you’ll need to register your name, address, phone number, and email address via activationspot.com. These details should also be used as your billing address for online purchases, as many merchants require address verification for purchase authorization.
- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
- This item is not eligible for refund, resale, or return. Available for sale within the United States only. Not available to residents of Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Mexico, South Dakota, West Virginia and the US Virgin Islands.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
