Seal Rescue Ireland

[Danielle35]

I've just received an email purporting to be from paypal, looks very legit. Says I've adopted a seal named Pistachio. The email is addressed to "Heidi <removed>" with an address in Dublin (not my address) but the name on the "adoption certificate" is my full name.   

Anyone else get this? Is it a phishing email or has my account been used without authorisation? 

[PayPal_Martina]

Hi @Danielle35,

Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community forum!

Here are a few tips on how to understand if an email was actually sent by PayPal or not: 

• The greeting is impersonal or generic or does not mention your name and surname as registered on your PayPal account;
• The message requires you to click on links or to download attachments
• The message conveys a strong sense of urgency.

Also, please note that PayPal will never request that you provide personal or sensitive information via email. If it happens again, I would suggest not to click on links, not to open attachments and not to respond to it. 

Here is also how to report these emails to make sure that they do not belong to PayPal. 

I hope this helps!

Martina 

[Danielle35]

Hi Martina, 

The email appears to legitimately be from paypal. It uses my full name. I contacted Seal Rescue Ireland who confirmed they have received the funds. I have not had any response to my email reporting fraud to paypal sent on tuesday (72 hours+) and I have attempted to contact them twice and been on hold for 20 minutes each time before hanging up, its quite evident they do not answer the phone. Can someone please assist me?  This is maddening. 

[PayPal_Martina]

Hi @Danielle35!   

In this case, I would recommend changing your password and security questions to restore the safety of your account. If you have already disputed the payment on your PayPal account, the relevant team will review your case as soon as possible.   

For further assistance, please reach out to our Customer Service again. If you want to contact our Customer Service, you can click ‘Help & Contact’ at the bottom of any PayPal page to see which options are available. You can also contact us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PayPal) or on Twitter (@AskPayPal)  

I hope this is helpful. 

Martina