PayPal Phishing

[Once Debauched]

I'm sure everyone knows not to click links in suspicious looking emails, blah, blah, blah, but I received an email that LOOKED EXACTLY like something from PayPal, including my full name in the salutation line.  The only thing that made me question it was they said my account had been put on "limited access" which I questioned because I've been buying things over the last few weeks like a mad woman.

I logged into my account and there were no notices screaming at me so I called just to be sure and I was right... phishing at it's finest!

I just wanted to give a heads up that someone out there has been collecting names and emails and they are darn good at being bad.

Chelle

[Taffy Saltwater]

Thanks for the heads up - always pays to be careful.  I'm so glad you've got your pic up - nice to put a face to the name.

[BubbleWright]

Although the web thugs might have copied the PayPal logo and forms, one way to tell if it really is from PayPal is that PayPal will greet you by your full name... no name, not PayPal. You did the right thing to sign into the payPal site and not use their links. I always forward these phony emails to PayPal-spoof@paypal.com, so that the real McCoy can track them down.

[sir oswyn dagworth]

Forward these emails to spoof@paypal.com

[Blackjack Roberts]

Thanks for the heads up - always pays to be careful.  I'm so glad you've got your pic up - nice to put a face to the name.

Speaking of which, O Landshark No. 1....

No matter what it always pays to log into any site yourself. I never use the links sent in E-mails.

Better safe than sorry, Mates.

[brier patch charlie]

I use to ge the Ebay ones all the time. I haven't recived the pay pal one yet. Thanks for the heads up!

[Taffy Saltwater]

Happy now, Blackjack?  You can also download a toolbar from eBay which will tell you if you're looking at a eBay recognized site.

[Blackjack Roberts]

Fins up, Luv!!!!

[Once Debauched]

Although the web thugs might have copied the PayPal logo and forms, one way to tell if it really is from PayPal is that PayPal will greet you by your full name... no name, not PayPal. You did the right thing to sign into the payPal site and not use their links. I always forward these phony emails to PayPal-spoof@paypal.com, so that the real McCoy can track them down.

That was the thing... they HAD my full name on the email - first and last name, plain as day.  Sneaky lil' fookers!

[escherblacksmith]

one thing that is kind of fun to do is to use your email to look at the "source" or "original".  Then you can see the real address the link is pointing you to.

Most of the ones I get lately are pointing to already dead sites, often in russia.

[groomporter]

I have to laugh at the phishing Email that I get on a regular basis that are supposedly from banks where I don't have accounts.

[Erynn]

I've been getting nonstop emails from "eBay sellers" claiming I haven't paid something. Sometimes when I do a search for the item number I get real auctions too! With the right seller name even. One was for a rusty tractor for scrap parts. The last one was for a BMW motor.

You know me. Love my machines! 

[NoBill Lurker]

WHAT!    You're going to put a BMW motor on an old rusty tractor?

Sounds dangerous. 

[Erynn]

WHAT!    You're going to put a BMW motor on an old rusty tractor?

Sounds dangerous. 

Thought it might be fun and get the lawn done faster. 

[DeadBishop]

WHAT!    You're going to put a BMW motor on an old rusty tractor?

Sounds dangerous. 

Thought it might be fun and get the lawn done faster. 

Of course...because everyone knows in Germany they drive their mowers as fast as they want on the autolawn....

[Noble Dreg]

WHAT!    You're going to put a BMW motor on an old rusty tractor?

Sounds dangerous. 

Thought it might be fun and get the lawn done faster. 

Of course...because everyone knows in Germany they drive their mowers as fast as they want on the autolawn....

I live miles from you DB but no doubt you heard me groan!





Pissed I didn't think of it first!   

[Drake Starsong]

Yeah you have to be careful, I was hit with one of these a few years ago - basically I received an e-mail saying my paypal information was out of date and to update - when I clicked it, it took me to a site that asked for all my personal information including debit card pin number and bank account routing numbers - I thought it was legit for a moment..but then I was like waaaiiittt....usually on these types of website theres 2 ways to find out - 1) if there are any banners or links..click them. If its a phishing site it will usually keep directing you back to the same site and no where else..and 2) in the e-mail it usually won't show you the real url..it will just say click here, or paypal account management.   If you hover your mouse over the link it will usually show you what the real url is, which will not say paypal at all.

Stay safe everyone, there will always be people trying to make everything harder for us out there!

[escherblacksmith]

deadbishop is a bad man.

[Marietta Graziella]

OK.  That one really was Laugh Out Loud!

Nicely done.

[BubbleWright]

DB go stand in the corner!

[NoBill Lurker]

Oy! 

DB that was a punishing come back it was...

[Once Debauched]

2) in the e-mail it usually won't show you the real url..it will just say click here, or paypal account management.   If you hover your mouse over the link it will usually show you what the real url is, which will not say paypal at all.

Stay safe everyone, there will always be people trying to make everything harder for us out there!

Actually, it did show a PayPal link - several even.  I even brought this to the attention of the rep I spoke with when I called PayPal.  He said they were aware of it, but not sure how they were doing it.  When you click on the LOGIN NOW link it takes you to a page that looks like PayPal, but isn't.

Seriously, had the email been about anything other than "limited account access"  I never would have questioned it.

It's safer not to do anything within the emails.  Just open a new window and go directly to PayPal and login.  If there's an issue with your account there will be a notice waiting for you.