Klarna scams, how fraudsters target buy now, pay later shoppers
Key Takeaways
- Klarna says, "If it's not in your Klarna Inbox, it didn't come from us." Check the Inbox in the Klarna app before you act on any message.
- Skip the link. Open the Klarna app yourself to see whether a payment is really due.
- The FTC says legitimate companies won't email or text you a link to update your payment information.
- If you shared details, contact Klarna right away to freeze your account, then call your bank.
- Report fake Klarna messages through Klarna's phishing form, forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), and report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What is a Klarna scam?
A Klarna scam is any message, website, or call that pretends to come from Klarna, or uses a fake Klarna checkout, to get your login, your one-time code, your card details, or your money. It's one part of a wider pattern we cover in our guide to buy now, pay later scams.
Many of these scams start with a text. People reported $470 million in losses to scams that started with a text in 2024, more than five times the 2020 figure, according to the FTC. Fake package delivery problems and fake fraud alerts were among the most reported. A fake Klarna "payment failed" text plays on the same worry.
The fake Klarna messages to watch for
Fake payment problem texts and emails
These messages say a payment failed, your account is locked, or an invoice is overdue. The link leads to a page that copies Klarna's look and asks for your login or card details.
Klarna's security page sums up the warning signs: be cautious of any message that asks you to click unknown links, submit sensitive information, or creates a false sense of urgency. For more red flags, see our guide on how to spot a fake text message.
Fake checkout pages
Some Klarna scams start with a shop, not a message. A fake store advertises a deal on social media, shows Klarna as a payment option, and never sends what you ordered. Others send you to a lookalike Klarna sign-in page partway through "checkout."
Before you sign in or pay, read the web address letter by letter. Our guide to detecting fake shopping sites covers the other signs.
Calls and messages from someone who says they're Klarna
A caller or WhatsApp message says there's a problem with your account, a refund waiting, or a suspicious purchase to cancel. Then comes the ask: read out the code Klarna just sent you, or confirm a payment.
Klarna says it will never call you to ask for your one-time code. If someone contacts you and you're not sure, Klarna's advice is to end the conversation and contact Klarna directly through a trusted method, like its customer service page.
How to check a Klarna payment request is real
- Don't tap the link or reply.
- Open the Klarna app yourself. Use the app on your home screen, not anything in the message.
- Check your Klarna Inbox. If the message isn't there, treat it as fake.
- Look at your payments. Klarna suggests logging in to your app to check for any outstanding payment.
- Still unsure? Contact Klarna directly. The FTC advises contacting the company using a phone number or website you know is real, not the information in the message.
How to check a link with Guardio in ChatGPT
If you want a second opinion on a link before you open it, you can use Guardio's app in ChatGPT, called "Check links and data leaks."
- Copy the link without opening it. On a phone, press and hold the link, then choose Copy.
- Ask Guardio to check it. In ChatGPT, ask Guardio to check the link and paste it in.
- Read the result, then open Klarna yourself.
A result reflects known threats at the time of the check, so it isn't a guarantee. For more ways to test a link, see how to check if a link is safe.
What to do if you already clicked or shared details
- Contact Klarna right away. If you shared details, Klarna says to contact it immediately to freeze your account. You can also lock your account in the Klarna app.
- Report any purchase you didn't make. In the Klarna app, go to Payments, select the purchase, choose Report a problem, then "I suspect identity theft." Klarna pauses your payments while it investigates.
- Call your bank or card provider. Klarna advises contacting them immediately to report the scam and request that any transactions be stopped.
- Change your passwords. Start with Klarna and your email, turn on two-factor authentication, and monitor your accounts closely.
- Protect your identity. If you think a scammer has your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for steps based on what was exposed.
- Report the scam. If money was taken, file a police report and send Klarna the case number. Report the message through Klarna's phishing form, which covers texts, emails, phone calls, fake websites, and WhatsApp messages. Klarna won't reply to your report. You can also forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Clicked but didn't enter anything? See what to do after clicking a phishing link.
How to protect yourself from Klarna scams
- Treat the Klarna app as the place to check payments and messages, every time.
- Never share a one-time code with someone who contacts you, even if they sound official.
- Turn on multi-factor authentication and use biometrics or passkeys if your app offers them.
- Before you buy from a new store, research the company and read independent reviews.
- Set your phone and computer to update automatically.
- Pick safer payment methods when a shop is new to you.
How Guardio helps
Guardio helps flag scam links and phishing pages with its browser extension for Chrome and Edge and its apps for iOS and Android. Email Security flags phishing emails that get past the Gmail spam filter. Guardio can't stop someone from typing details into a page or reading out a code on a call, so opening the Klarna app yourself is still the check that matters most.
The bottom line
Klarna scams work by getting you to act before you check. The fix is the same every time: skip the link, open the Klarna app yourself, and look at your Inbox and payments. If something's wrong, contact Klarna and your bank quickly.
Take the free scam quiz and get a free security scan
Sources
- Klarna US, Security comes as standard. No publication date shown. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- Klarna US, Protect yourself from fraud and scams. No publication date shown. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- Klarna US, How can I report a fraud attempt? No publication date shown. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- Klarna US, Report a phishing attempt. No publication date shown. Accessed October 23, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, Top text scams of 2024, Data Spotlight. Published April 14, 2025.
- Federal Trade Commission, How to recognize and avoid phishing scams, Consumer Advice. September 2022.
FAQs
Does Klarna text or email me to ask for payment?
Klarna keeps all of its messages in the Inbox in the Klarna app. If a text or email asks you to pay and the same message isn't in your Inbox, treat it as fake.
Is a text about a failed Klarna payment always fake?
Not always, since a real payment can fail. Either way, don't use the link. Open the Klarna app yourself, and if a payment needs attention, it shows there.
How do I report a fake Klarna message?
Use Klarna's phishing report form, which covers texts, emails, calls, fake websites, and WhatsApp messages. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What should I do if I entered my Klarna login on a fake page?
Contact Klarna right away to freeze your account. Change your Klarna password and any account that shares it, turn on two-factor authentication, and check your payments.
Can a scammer buy things with my Klarna account?
If a scammer gets your login and one-time code, they may try. Report any purchase you don't recognize in the app under Report a problem, and Klarna pauses those payments while it investigates.
Should I ever share a one-time code with someone who contacts me?
No. Klarna says it will never call you to ask for your one-time code, and that it won't ask for your credentials over the phone, email, or SMS.
