Examples of Suspected Fraud or Fake Emails

[PayPal_Andy]

Hey Everybody!

In an effort to make things easier to find and research, I'm going to consolidate as many threads as possible where we have examples of people trying to defraud hard working sellers (Craigslist emails, 'PayPal' emails asking you to send money outside of PayPal, etc).  This will also be used as a master thread for future posts regarding this same situation.

When you post your examples here, please remember to not include last names or contact information of whoever is sending these emails.  There's no way to confirm if that person has been defrauded as well and the name is being used fraudulently.

Thanks for your cooperation and remember, keep the conversation productive, on task, and above all, keep it clean. I know these things can be difficult and frustrating, but bleep filled posts or posts that look like government redacted files will never benefit anyone. 😄

Andy

[Seymour-]

It was most definitely a scam. Good for you for catching on!

This scam has been going on for years, and will probably continue to do so. It's successful sometimes. Enough to keep it alive in one form or another.  I believe it's origins can be traced to the Nigerian 419 scam. It's an 'advance fee' scam where you are sent an overpayment and asked to wire the difference to Nigeria for some reason. named 419 for the associated area code in Nigeria.

[lysiamm]

This lady Melissa wanted to purchase a exercise bike I put on craigslist said she want for family texted and emailed me constantly said she paid paypal funds are pending until i sent her $1000.00 to the shipping company. Even got a bogos email from them too. good thing i saw this forumn first and called paypal info and emails were forwarded to spoof@palpal.com i hope they catch them thanks PayPal for helping

[Sigops]

Got this today...from

We recently reviewed your account, and we need more information about your business to allow us to provide uninterrupted service.

We would like to return your account to regular standing as soon as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Before we can offer you certain products and services, federal regulations require that we collect specific information to verify your identity.

We haven't been able to verify your identity using the information you provided, so we need some additional documentation from you.

Until this issue is resolved, you'll be able to log in to your PayPal account but you might not be able to add money to it or use some of your account features.

Most of the time, we just need a little more information about your account or latest transactions.

To help us resolve this issue, please go to the Resolution Center.

We'll review the information you provide and email you if we need more details.

Once you complete all of the checklist items, your case will be reviewed by one of our Account Specialists.

We will send you an email with the outcome of the review.

[Seymour-]

You should disable that 'Resolution Center' link.

[Mislion]

I got this email 2 days ago. First I thought something new about paypal, I log in but it asked for my information. So I know something is not right. Checking my email and recognize it send to the old email I used for paypal ( using iPad to check mail). Then log in paypal.com and see my account is still normal. Account Status Update. Log in to your paypal as soon as possible Hello Recently, there's been activity in your PayPal account that seems unusual compared to your normal account activities. Please log in to PayPal to confirm your identity and update card information. We're concerned that someone is using your PayPal account without your knowledge. Recent activity from your account seems to have occurred from a suspicious location or under circumstances that may be different than usual. What do I need to do? Click here Log in to your PayPal account as soon as possible. We may ask you to confirm information you provided when you created your account to make sure you're the account holder. We'll then ask you to change your password and security questions. Yours sincerely, PayPal Help Contact Security This email was sent to you, because your email preferences are set to receive All Policy Change Notices. Copyright 1999-2014 PayPal. All rights reserved. PayPal (Europe) S.T; r.l. et Cie, S.C.A.,Registered office: 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449, Luxembourg, R.C.S. Luxembourg B 118 349.

[Seymour-]

They want you to use their link, which displayed a fake PayPal information entry form, to steal your identity and access to your PayPal account.

Never, never, NEVER click on links like those in emails!

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS use your browser to go directly to the site with the supposed 'problem'.

Supposed problem with PayPal...

1. Open your web browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer,  Chrome).

2. Click in the URL address window (long, horizontal white text box near the top). The contents should all become selected (white text on blue background).

3. Type www.paypal.com in the window and press the Enter key.

4. Login to your PayPal account, in safety, to usually find you have no problem.

[Akima26]

I just received these two emails within two hours of each other. I immediately knew it was a scam especially after logging in to paypal myself to see if I needed to update any information. And these emails made it past my email spam filter so I almost fell for it. Upon clicking on the first link just to see where it went it loaded through about 4 different links before the paypal page came up. Please don't fall for it . 6:04 am Dear Customer, Some information on your account appears to be missing or incorrect. Your account will be unavai1ab1e within 3 days ,update your account as soon as possible. Please update your account information promptly to enjoy all the benefits of your PayPal account. Update Please do not reply to this email. We are unable to respond to inquiries sent to this address. For immediate answers to your questions, visit our Help Center by clicking "Help" at the top of any PayPal page. Sincerely, PayPal 8:04 am Dear Customer, Some information on your account appears to be missing or incorrect. Your account will be blacklisted within 3 days ,update your account as soon as possible. Please update your account information promptly to enjoy all the benefits of your PayPal account. Update Please do not reply to this email. We are unable to respond to inquiries sent to this address. For immediate answers to your questions, visit our Help Center by clicking "Help" at the top of any PayPal page. Sincerely, PayPal The Update is a link that I am supposed to click in to update my information but the wording is almost threatening as it goes from unavailable to my account being blacklisted if I don't give up the info.

[minty1]

Hi Akima26. Never click on links from your emails and since u have to be on the safe side change your password and security questions immediately

[FLSoap]

I recieved this email:

From JR Jackson:

"I notice you canceled the invoice request. Your account will be turned over
to collections first thing in the morning."

They invoiced me for $25.26 I logged into my pay pal account and ther it was an invoce for $25.26, I cancelled it. I don't know why I am getting an invoice requesting money from me not knowing who this is or what I need to send them money for!

When I do order through PayPal it is processed immediately.

Is it possible to send invoices to anyone requesting money? Then send to PayPal Collections?
 

[Seymour-]

You actually saw the invoice in your PayPal account?!

If so, scammers may have gained access to your information already and are using your PayPal account to purchase goods and/or services for which you are being billed.

Change your passwords, PINs, and security questions and answers.

and though the writer of the invoice may be the scammer, I'd email them and ask what it is you're being invoiced for.  I'll bet they provide some bullsh!t answer.

As far as I know, anyone can submit a request for payment from a PayPal account. I think all they need is your email. That's part of the beauty of PayPal... the ease of use.

As for sending it straight to collections, the people at PP collections are not stupid (in fact, they're quite clever) and are excellent at spotting scams.  IF the invoice is legtimate, they may have a case for starting a dispute with PP collections.

Valid invoice + you cancelling = Valid dispute.

That brings us back to finding out more about this supposed invoice.