Computer newbies: Pay Pal Spoof
Pay Pal Spoof
by dcmorris - 11/23/06 3:42 PMI received a very official e-mail from what was meant to look like PayPal. It informed me they had reason to believe my account had been hijacked by a foreign ISP. It included a link to a site where I would be able to verify my account etc. etc. and if I didn't do so they would be forced to suspend my account.
I did not click on the link but I logged onto PayPal and they have a special e-mail address to which I forwarded a copy of the suspected spoof. (I didn't suspect, I knew). As expected, PayPal answered my e-mail to advise me it was a spoof. They also advised me what actions I should take had I clicked on that link and answered any questions.
The spoof looked pretty official but didn't quite pass the smell test.
It also had one obvious misspelled word. However, a Newbie might be fooled.
DC
Thanks for your post.
by acoxon1274 - 11/23/06 4:14 PM In reply to: Pay Pal Spoof by dcmorrisI too have received these very official e-mails from what was meant to look like PayPal. It said my account would be suspended because of sales abuse. Here is what tipped me off, I don't have a PayPal account and the email's return address was mostly numbers.
It's nice to know I'm not the only person that this is happening to. I wonder how many other people have been sent this email scam?
email spoof
by Hard2pleez - 11/24/06 11:36 AM In reply to: Thanks for your post. by acoxon1274I too have recieved email from someone poseing to be Pay Pal and another from someone saying they are ebay and both accounts have been suspended for some sort of seller inproprities. The problem is even though I have the two accounts I have never used them. There is no money in Pay Pal and I have never even placed a bid on ebay. I did click on the one link and I suspose I have given them access to my computer. How do I stop it or just what should I do?
I'd contact PayPal ASAP
by VAPCMD - 11/24/06 9:37 PM In reply to: email spoof by Hard2pleezYou can e-mail them at spoof@paypal.com
See what they recommend...since you don't use either account ... might be better to close both accounts for now and create a new account when/if needed later.
VAPCMD
paypal spoof+phishing
by moccoo - 12/14/06 7:28 PM In reply to: email spoof by Hard2pleezI not only get a lot of these of paypal,but also of ebay and yahoo auctions.I
print them all and my folder is full.I constantly forward these to paypal and ebay.I get the same responce from them but not of what they're doing about it.
We all get 'em for PayPal and Ebay ...encourage all
by VAPCMD - 11/23/06 7:56 PM In reply to: Pay Pal Spoof by dcmorristo forward such e-mails to spoof@paypal.com or spoof@ebay.com. The more cognizant PayPal and eBay are of such e-mails.. the quicker and easier they can shut these theives down.
VAPCMD
I did it
by acoxon1274 - 11/28/06 12:28 PM In reply to: We all get 'em for PayPal and Ebay ...encourage all by VAPCMDI forwarded the next spoof email to the Ebay spoof address and got a reply from Ebay. They said it was a spoof and encouraged me to do the same again if I get another spoof email. Thanks for posting the addresses.
Here's a good one...
by jtothebtothes - 12/1/06 3:24 AM In reply to: I did it by acoxon1274I've got a couple of these emails before. I have a paypal account, but not linked to the email address the mail came to. Also, paypal would never ask for the amount of information these emails do.
I always click on these links and fill the forms in with fake information, it makes me smile thinking of some idiot trying to get money from a non-existant account!
Good Deal!
by stemplebunny - 12/2/06 5:27 PM In reply to: Here's a good one... by jtothebtothesI get this kind of spoof stuff all the time. Never thought of spoofing them back and I will most certainly do that the next time.
Good idea!
Pay pal Spoof
by boghound - 12/1/06 4:24 AM In reply to: Pay Pal Spoof by dcmorrisUnfortunately an even more difficult to spot email being circulated, is one purportedly asking a question about an Ebay listing you are selling.....Don't click on the hyperlink, just go to your message box on "My Ebay" and see if it's there...if not....just deleted... Don't waste your time and effect sending it to Ebay as they are about as interested in sending a reply to you as "Bush withdrawing troops from Iraq"!!!!!
Another spoof PayPal missive.
by Daibad - 12/1/06 4:33 AM In reply to: Pay Pal Spoof by dcmorrisI,too, received one of these official-looking mails but with me it was somewhat different - I have NEVER used PayPal, have never bought anything off the net, and, from my experience of just trying to sign up with e-Bay (which I dumped immediately!), I never shall.
I did try to report this scam, using the oft lauded 'abuse' contact on hotmail but after futile efforts over a period of about 15 minutes decided I had other things in my life. IF the providers REALLY want us, the public, to report such things then the first thing they must do is to make it EASY to lodge such reports. Remember, Woolworths made their vast fortune because NONE of their stores, world-wide, had a step at their front door; entry was very easy, so people did!
I Agree, Daibad
by Gary Lee - 12/1/06 8:32 AM In reply to: Another spoof PayPal missive. by DaibadRight on, Daibad. I too avoid Ebay or Paypal. There are so many other great ways to find and pay for tech and other deals. Many of us received that Paypal scam, and, if you had an account, I can understand a few being fooled. But if you observe steps to protect yourself, such as contacting Paypal directly rather than responding to the message itself, you'll be fine.
I do like jtothebtothes idea of filling out fake info! Anything to confound the crooks is great! Superb.
Avoiding Paypal
by ericocean - 12/1/06 11:52 AM In reply to: I Agree, Daibad by Gary LeeI second that notion. I have always found PP to be a pain. I won't deal with any vendor who requires I use it.
pay pal?/
by rsternb - 12/1/06 2:01 PM In reply to: Avoiding Paypal by ericoceanI have a few gripes about pp also. mostly the way they
handle some things. Plus - they have a couple programming
bugs that they tell me ''oh no, it doesnt do that ''
well - if it didnt, how come I am complaining ?? hahaha
anyway - I still have to use it - fought it for a couple years
but then - BAM !! got hit with a bad seller on ebay
took the money and gave zip.
soooo... paypal is the only way to go on expensive items so
you can get ur $ back. ebay has a guarantee also- but by
the time I got it back it had cost me $60 - 25 for the ebay
processing and 20 for the copy of the money order i had sent
and the shipping charge that ebay does not cover.
live and learn - dont know why I always seem to do it the hard
way hahahaha
ted
Paypal works great
by itseasy - 12/1/06 10:32 PM In reply to: Avoiding Paypal by ericoceanI read all the replies of paypal spoofs and in defense of Paypal that i have used for several years let me say, I have never ever had a problem with Paypal or Ebay. I have reported spoofs a couple of times and got an immidiate reply from Paypal. I have never used the Paypal protection they furnish but have no reason to think it would not be ok if i need it. I think my buy sell rate is something over 200 items. Got ripped once because i sent some stupid jerk $3. cash. That was my fault, We all know better than to do that. Bottom line, i like Ebay an Paypal. I truly believe if you have a problem they will work it out for you. If you had a bad experience with them i suggest you give them another chance. Thats my 1/2 cent worth. Thanks
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