PAYPAL FRAUD/CON

Batchimp RG · #1 11-01-2006, 12:13 PM

Hi People, just thought I'd mention how close I got to being stung so look out for this:

Got an email from (what I thought was) "PayPal" saying that I had bought some electronic equipment for £590.00 and there was a small link at the bottom that said something like "If you beleive you didn't purchase this and want to request a refund- click here"

I clicked and got a very convincing "PayPal" form to fill out and my alarm bells rang loud and clear when at some point in the form it asked for my credit card details that I want a refund back to. I stopped filling it out and sent this email to PayPal who wrote back stating that it was a spoof.

Man, it was so convincing that hadn't I been an old pro on the bay I would've been HAD!.

Demiurge · #2 11-01-2006, 01:10 PM

Good catch. My girlfriend got phished like that with the scammer posing as the 'bay not too long ago and she fell for it. Fortunately, she told me about it the same day (I was like, "WTF?! You did WHAT?!") and she was able to cancel her debit card before the scammer used it.

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #3 11-01-2006, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimp

Hi People, just thought I'd mention how close I got to being stung so look out for this:

Got an email from (what I thought was) "PayPal" saying that I had bought some electronic equipment for £590.00 and there was a small link at the bottom that said something like "If you beleive you didn't purchase this and want to request a refund- click here"

I clicked and got a very convincing "PayPal" form to fill out and my alarm bells rang loud and clear when at some point in the form it asked for my credit card details that I want a refund back to. I stopped filling it out and sent this email to PayPal who wrote back stating that it was a spoof.

Man, it was so convincing that hadn't I been an old pro on the bay I would've been HAD!.

Thank God you realized!!! but I am afraid to tell you that this kind of Con is old news, and it it is very plain to realize that it's spoof because PAYPAL would never ask you for that stuff in an email and usually is addressed to DEAR PAYPAL USER INSTEAD OF THE REGISTERED NAME IN THE ACCOUNT. Now there is another similar con out there that you need to be aware of, sometimes you get a paypal email ADDRESSED TO THE NAME ON THE ACCOUNT,saying that your account is suspended pending an investigation and it prompts you log in immediately from the link in the email,
this con is way harder too spot because somehow the con managed to get your name and then they send you to a page that looks like the paypal log in page however it is not the real deal and if you put your pasword and user name to log in that page then they got you!!! so be very wary with any paypal emails sent to your email address, never click on links whether they are authentic or not, always go directly to paypal.com and if there is a message or an issue with you account you'd be able to find the information there, also remeber that the origination of fraudulent claims is never initiated automatically by paypal YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO FILE IT ON THEIR WEBSITE.
I hope this info helps Jemsiters that deal with evilbay & paypal.

Batchimp RG · #4 11-01-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S

Thank God you realized!!! but I am afraid to tell you that this kind of Con is old news, and it it is very plain to realize that it's spoof because PAYPAL would never ask you for that stuff in an email and usually is addressed to DEAR PAYPAL USER INSTEAD OF THE REGISTERED NAME IN THE ACCOUNT. Now there is another similar con out there that you need to be aware of, sometimes you get a paypal email ADDRESSED TO THE NAME ON THE ACCOUNT,saying that your account is suspended pending an investigation and it prompts you log in immediately from the link in the email,
this con is way harder too spot because somehow the con managed to get your name and then they send you to a page that looks like the paypal log in page however it is not the real deal and if you put your pasword and user name to log in that page then they got you!!! so be very wary with any paypal emails sent to your email address, never click on links whether they are authentic or not, always go directly to paypal.com and if there is a message or an issue with you account you'd be able to find the information there, also remeber that the origination of fraudulent claims is never initiated automatically by paypal YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO FILE IT ON THEIR WEBSITE.
I hope this info helps Jemsiters that deal with evilbay & paypal.

Wow...I'm paranoid now so I don't keep any credit card on file just in case. When I do have to pay with a credit card via PayPal I actually just go to "add a credit card" and punch in all the numbers. When the transaction has gone through I then take off my credit card. Over the top some would say but it actually is not that time consuming...and worth it

nightfiend14 · #5 11-01-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S

Thank God you realized!!! but I am afraid to tell you that this kind of Con is old news, and it it is very plain to realize that it's spoof because PAYPAL would never ask you for that stuff in an email and usually is addressed to DEAR PAYPAL USER INSTEAD OF THE REGISTERED NAME IN THE ACCOUNT. Now there is another similar con out there that you need to be aware of, sometimes you get a paypal email ADDRESSED TO THE NAME ON THE ACCOUNT,saying that your account is suspended pending an investigation and it prompts you log in immediately from the link in the email,
this con is way harder too spot because somehow the con managed to get your name and then they send you to a page that looks like the paypal log in page however it is not the real deal and if you put your pasword and user name to log in that page then they got you!!! so be very wary with any paypal emails sent to your email address, never click on links whether they are authentic or not, always go directly to paypal.com and if there is a message or an issue with you account you'd be able to find the information there, also remeber that the origination of fraudulent claims is never initiated automatically by paypal YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO FILE IT ON THEIR WEBSITE.
I hope this info helps Jemsiters that deal with evilbay & paypal.

I got hit with one of those "key logers" on my **** account. got a email saying that I hadn't sent something out that I had sold, looked pretty deal real, and against better judgement I logged into **** through the link instead of going there myself, minutes later, BAM, all my **** information changed so I couldn't get back in. Had to close the account.

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #6 11-01-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightfiend14

I got hit with one of those "key logers" on my **** account. got a email saying that I hadn't sent something out that I had sold, looked pretty deal real, and against better judgement I logged into **** through the link instead of going there myself, minutes later, BAM, all my **** information changed so I couldn't get back in. Had to close the account.

Sorry to hear that! that is why you got to be careful lads!!! because a lot of sensitive information is contained in your paypal account that could enable cons to steal your identity which is an even BIGGER PROBLEM!!!

Batchimp RG · #7 11-01-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightfiend14

I got hit with one of those "key logers" on my **** account. got a email saying that I hadn't sent something out that I had sold, looked pretty deal real, and against better judgement I logged into **** through the link instead of going there myself, minutes later, BAM, all my **** information changed so I couldn't get back in. Had to close the account.

That's probably worse than having someone spend on your credit card, at least the bank/card company will reimburse you...but to lose all the e*bay feedback is hard going, especially if you got loads of feedback and 100% +.

Demiurge · #8 11-01-2006, 05:52 PM

Careful what you say about PayPal, you might be taken in as a suspect: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15516182/

Somebody done got ripped off!

OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S · #9 11-01-2006, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demiurge

Careful what you say about PayPal, you might be taken in as a suspect: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15516182/

Somebody done got ripped off!

No one here is bad mouthing paypal but rather the cons who use fake paypal messages to steal your information to commit fraud!

dex · #10 11-01-2006, 07:24 PM

Only 2 days ago I got a very convincing PayPal email saying "a second email has been added to your paypal account" and the email given was completely made up and had nothing to do with me.

Right under was "If you did not add this email yourself and want to alert paypal please log on and report this" with a link right under.

Now I know better but I can see how many people will just fall for this.

kennydoe · #11 11-01-2006, 10:15 PM

The most deadest giveaway is that when you click on the bogus link, regardless of how authentic the page looks, look in your address bar - it's usually just an IP address or some bogus gobbledygook....definitaly something other than Paypal.

~K

Rotti · #12 11-02-2006, 03:58 AM

I can't believe people fall for scams like that.

Rich · #13 11-02-2006, 04:01 AM

When you get 20 a day it gets hard to figure out what's really from paypal, I've deleted payment notices by accident.

Batchimp RG · #14 11-02-2006, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotti

I can't believe people fall for scams like that.

The scams get more and more sophisticated..if you're new to PayPal you're more likely to get done.

bammbamm · #15 11-02-2006, 09:14 AM

Umm, have you ever noticed when you look at the link, and then hover over it (NOT CLICKING IT) that in the bottom of your email browser (if you're using an email client like Thunderbird or any Outlook) you'll see the actual URL that they are redirecting you to?
Example:
Click Here to login to your PAYPAL Account!

See down at the bottom of the browser, you have the real link?

That is a good 1st clue.
The 2nd clue is the URL itself It may even have paypal in the name, butin reality, if it isn't just www.paypal.com, you're being redirected elsewhere.

Another GREAT resource, is using Gmail for your accounts, Gmail has a great phishing detection system. They flag messages that claim to be from one place, but redirect you to another.

So Hurry now, click on the link and verify your information! ! !
http://www.paypal.com