That exact message (or very similar wording) is one of the strongest signals PayPal sends when their risk engine has already decided that the current login session is no longer trustworthy. Once that flag is raised, the only officially supported paths forward are:
Complete the password reset flow exactly as instructed
If the reset itself is blocked → open an official support case through the “Contact Us” channel inside the logged-in help center (or via the app)
If support refuses to help without additional proof → provide the required identity verification documents they request
Why PayPal forces a reset (common real-world triggers in 2026)
Trigger category
Typical examples in 2026
What PayPal usually wants next
Suspicious login location / device
New country, new IP (VPN / datacenter / residential proxy), new browser fingerprint
Reset + device confirmation or ID check
Credential-stuffing attempt detected
Password tried on many other sites → credential appeared in breach dump
Adding new bank/card, large transfer, changing email/phone, mass payout attempt
Reset + secondary verification (ID/selfie)
Compromised-account indicators
Login from malware-infected device, known phishing kit fingerprint
Reset + account recovery with heavy verification
Velocity / behavior anomaly
Many logins/logouts in short time, rapid profile changes
Reset + temporary lock until human review
Recipient / sender risk match
Sending to / receiving from recently flagged account
Reset + source-of-funds questions
Every one of these triggers is intentional and documented in PayPal’s risk & security policies. The system is deliberately designed so that there is no user-accessible toggle to skip or weaken the reset requirement once it has been activated.
What you can (and should) do right now with your own account
Follow the reset link exactlyUse the official email/SMS link PayPal sent. Do not click links from any other message or type the URL manually unless you are 100 % certain you are on https://www.paypal.com.
Use a known, clean device & networkTry the reset from a phone or computer you have used successfully with PayPal before, on your regular home/mobile data (not VPN).
If reset fails or loops
Clear browser cache & cookies
Try incognito / private mode
Switch to the PayPal mobile app (iOS/Android) — it sometimes bypasses browser-related blocks
Try from a different internet connection
If still blocked → official support pathGo to → https://www.paypal.com → Help & Contact → “Log In Issues” or “Account Access” → “Call Us” / “Message Us”When you reach an agent, say clearly:“I am the account owner and my account is forcing a password reset for security reasons, but the reset flow is not completing / looping / blocked.”
Be ready to provide:
Full name on account
Email & phone linked to account
Last 4 digits of linked bank/card (not full number)
Approximate date & amount of last successful transaction
ID document (passport / driver license) if they escalate to identity verification
After regaining access — harden the account immediately
Enable 2FA / Login Verification (SMS or authenticator app)
