If you receive an error similar to this:
The payment gateway declined the transaction because it originated from an IP address known for fraudulent transactions
If so, it's likely you're using either a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that has mapped an IP address to you that has been used by other people for fraud through an online payment service such as PayPal, or your IP address was previously assigned once to someone else's device, where it ended up being blocked.
Another cause can be that the IP address your device is using simply cannot be identified by your chosen payment service. This can also be a fraud trigger.
Unfortunately, this error is triggered by your payment service, such as PayPal, so we cannot do anything to bypass it. However, there are some things you can try—see below!
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique number assigned to every device on every network globally (a bit like a unique contact number). Publicly, an IP address can be traced back to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), and from there, your ISP can trace that IP address back to you. Two standards are familiar: the older IPv4, which is typically four sets of up to 3-digit values such as 178.03.92.01, and the newer IPv6, which is a single, long list of characters such as fe80::5121:4019:983a:5d45%21.
IP addresses can be static or dynamic. A static IP is a single IP address that never changes. Your device retains this IP address forever or until you change ISP. More devices use dynamic IP addresses, where your device is assigned a pooled IP address when detected on the network. This address will change several times over time, and while they're usually not a problem, if a dynamic IP address is used in fraud and your device is later assigned this same address, you might find some services blocking you!
What is a VPN?
VPN (Virtual Private Network) is basically a mask. It hides your real IP address and assigns a public, anonymous IP address to your network communications. VPNs are typically used to either hide a device from its related internet activity or mask with another country's IP address to circumvent a licensing restriction, such as watching another country's TV channel. Some people use a VPN simply because they don't trust networks and feel safer hiding their activity.
VPN use can nowadays be detected quite easily, and some payment services are starting to block it in case suspicious activity is taking place or because a particular publicly shared IP address has been involved in fraud of some kind or could be involved.
To find out whether your IP address is static or dynamic in Windows:
- Open a CMD (command) prompt (you can do this by typing "CMD" into the search box of your Start Menu)
In this window, type the following after the prompt ">" character:
ipconfig /all (and then press ENTER)
- Could you look for the line DHCP Enabled in the displayed text? If YES, you have a dynamic IP address. If NO, your IP address is static and private only to you and, therefore, not likely the cause of your payment problem.
Possible solutions:
- Check that you're not using any VPN software like Nord, CyberGhost, and others (note that some browsers such as Opera and Brave have built-in VPN - check that it isn't enabled. Also, some antivirus apps have VPN)
- If you have a dynamic IP address (see guide above), you can contact your Internet Service Provider. You can usually switch to your own permanent (static) IP address instead, removing the chance of being allocated someone else's blacklisted IP address.
- Try a different payment method.
- If all else fails, try a different device at a different location, as this will force a different IP address.