paypal email scam

telecoin

Just a warning to paypal users. There is an email being sent out supposedly from paypal that includes a note stating that there is a problem at paypal and asks you to login through a link provided in the email. DO NOT USE THE LINK. It is not from paypal, and you will be revealing your password to someone other than paypal. In the paypal website security link it says NEVER to give your password to anyone that claims to be from paypal (by phone or email). It is also a good idea for sellers to verify any payments when you receive a "payment received" email notice from paypal, as these can be easily faked.

RLinn

Thanks for the heads up. Do you know whatthe fake e-mail subject line says? How can it be recognized as a fake?

rkfish

Thanks for the update!

DanC

Here's one -
Subject line: Important Notice: Account verification needed

Body:
We regret to inform you that because of some technical problems and a great data loss
our team scheduled a maintenance session and managed to keep your account and auctions in good state.
Please verify if you are still able to log in and your account is active clicking here:
http://cgi3.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?SignIn

If there there appear to be problems with your account please contact our technical support.


Regards,

Technical Support Department


Edit:
Oops... sorry - that was Ebay, not Paypal - but I'll leave it because it *is* a current type of scam attempt.
I guess it's still early for me.
eBay Inc.

Typically they include "missspeeelings" and weird syntax.

"Great Data Loss" - Morons.

telecoin

The subject line states: "Important Information Regarding Your Account".

It has the typical layout and messages from paypal, but in red letters it has this note: "Due to a problem in our system, it is very important for you to log into your account through the following link.
We thank you and apologize for this inconvenient.
- If you are a registred member: click here"

I checked the properties of the email and it does not originate from paypal.

telecoin

It's funny that you mention mis-spellings, as the word "inconvenient" should be spelled inconvenience.

DanC

telecoin - yeah... that's the one I got.

Trace came back to some machine in Taiwan. They must have had "great data loss" too.

As funny as it seems, I'm sure alot of folks clicked it too. It looks pretty authentic if you don't
read it carefully.

Russ

So, I shouldn't have clicked the paypal link and entered my info?

Russ, NCNE

telecoin

If anyone has used the link, it would be a good idea to check their account and immediately change the password before anyone can use the info. Remember that your account can even link to your credit cards and checking account in many cases, and they can be accessed through your paypal account.

kranky

Oh, right, Russ. The day you have a Paypal account, I'll know the end is at hand.