18k PayPal Stealer Log: 11,987 Credentials Exposed on Dark Web

HEROIC analysts identified the 18k PayPal stealer log shared on Telegram in February 2023. The breach exposed 11,987 records, including email addresses, plaintext passwords, and URLs harvested from devices with PayPal account access.

Why This Is Dangerous

PayPal account credentials give attackers direct access to linked payment methods, stored card data, and transaction history. Stolen PayPal logins enable unauthorized fund transfers, account takeover, and use of the account to fund criminal purchases masked by the victim's identity.

What Was Exposed

• Email Addresses
• Plaintext Passwords
• URLs (endpoint context)

Why This Matters

With valid PayPal credentials, attackers bypass payment verification and drain linked bank accounts or credit cards. Victims may face fraudulent transactions, account locks, and identity theft before they discover the breach. The scale of 11,987 records means coordinated attacks are highly likely.

How Stealer Log Breaches Work

Stealer logs are produced by malware silently installed on victims' computers. The malware captures usernames, passwords, and browser session data before sending it to criminals, who then package and sell the data on Telegram channels and dark web markets.

Check If You Are Affected

HEROIC offers a free breach scanner that searches 400 billion+ records. Search your email address now to find out if your credentials appear in this breach or others. The scan is free and takes seconds.