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Comparitech reported that the asking price of compromised PayPal accounts, measured against their stated balances, rose by 293% during the pandemic. The ratio went from 3.13 cents per dollar of balance in an earlier study to about 9.2 cents eight months later. That was a change in sampled illicit-market listings—not a tripling in the number of hacked accounts, and not a current price estimate.
What “tripled in value” means
The headline refers to the ratio between a listing’s price and the PayPal balance claimed for that account. Comparitech’s earlier comparison put the ratio at 3.13 cents per balance dollar; its later analysis put it at about 9.2 cents. Comparitech described the increase as 293%. The change concerns the reported value of listings relative to their stated balances, not the frequency of account compromises.
In the later sample, Comparitech reported an average listed price of $196.50 for an account with an average balance of $2,133.61. These are historical estimates drawn from listings, not verified transaction prices or evidence that every listed account was genuine.
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Comparitech examined more than 200 PayPal-account listings across 13 dark web marketplaces. It did not name the marketplaces, citing legal reasons. The company’s report does not establish that these listings represented the entire illicit market, so the averages should be read as sample findings rather than a census.
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Its reported averages differed by account category:
| Account type | Average listed price | Average stated balance | Price per balance dollar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | $161.59 | $1,732.85 | About 9.3 cents |
| Premier | $186.31 | $2,029.95 | About 9.2 cents |
| Business | $246.00 | $2,684.29 | About 9.2 cents |
Ratios in the last column are calculated from Comparitech’s reported average price and balance for each category and rounded to one decimal place. Comparitech also reported a strong correlation between account balance and listing price (r = 0.87). That association suggests balance mattered in the sample; it does not show that balance alone determined a listing price or explain the differences between account types.
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Why the finding needs context
Comparitech’s report, updated in 2023, compared its findings with a similar study conducted eight months earlier and associated the increase with the pandemic period. ITPro’s article dated September 8, 2021, reported the same Comparitech findings. These sources describe historical asking prices. They do not provide a present-day market rate, measure the total number of compromised accounts, or establish that PayPal users as a whole faced a uniformly higher risk.
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How compromised accounts put users at risk
Comparitech identifies phishing and malware as routes criminals may use to steal login credentials. Criminals may then try to access PayPal balances or financial sources connected to an account. This describes the risk behind the listings; it is not evidence that a particular account has been accessed.
- Be cautious with messages and links that ask you to sign in or disclose account information.
- Use a strong, unique password. Unique passwords reduce the usefulness of credentials exposed in a breach elsewhere, a risk known as credential stuffing.
For account-specific concerns, consult PayPal’s current official help channels. The historical listing study does not establish today’s reporting or recovery procedures.
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Sources
- Comparitech’s analysis of PayPal-account listings (report updated 2023).
- ITPro’s September 8, 2021 report on the same findings.
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