Comments on: PayPal Phishing Scam

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:03:28 +0000

Hi, just want to pass this on, as I don’t own a web site to do so. About two days ago, I got an email in my gmail from “PayPal” as follows:
Hello David Rxxxxx,

As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the PayPal system. During a recent screening, we noticed an issue regarding your account.
We have reason to believe that your account was accessed by a third party. Because protecting the security of your account is our primary concern, we have limited access to sensitive PayPal account features. We understand that this may be an inconvenience but please understand that this temporary limitation is for your protection.
Case ID Number: PP-830-528-499
For your protection, we have limited access to your account until additional security measures can be completed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause…..etc.,…..

Anyhow, after changing password and security questions…what I failed to notice was the lack of the PayPal ‘logo’ ….which is usually included in all real PayPal emails, of which you can click on to take you directly to the site. Just want others to know…look for the PayPal logo on the email. If you click it and you go to site, it’s the real thing…if there is no logo or maybe one that will not work when clicked on ….it’s a scam! Now, I’m awaiting a letter to arrive in the USPS mail to confirm my location, regarding my true identity of the PayPal account in question. I plan to send it back full of fake info!
Thanks, Dave

By: vee bee

vee bee — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 10:01:22 +0000

Ohh boy could I get into this subject big time. My email account was hit and I fell for a scammer (actually caught him). What is unfathomable for me is he was conversing with me using another company’s email account and representated himself as the company representative. In essence, fraud! Yet when I reported to all the respective enforcement parties, service providers, police, attorney general, etc. it is overlooked:-}??? Yeah I learned the hard way, don’t trust the little blue link!

There are no boundaries for some individuals and they come in SUITS

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:24:34 +0000

Good point, Grant. Thanks!

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 21:19:40 +0000

I believe that PayPal always puts your full name in the body of the email specifically so you can better tell that it is a legitimate email and not random spam/phishing.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:17:59 +0000

Good info Pinyo. Thanks!

By: Pinyo

Pinyo — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:59:26 +0000

Two things to do to reduce your chance of being phished:

1. Never click on email links – if it’s a site you use normally, type it in yourself

2. Never give personal information when someone call you. For instance, if a CC company want some information, I will call back using the number listed on the credit card.