** Spoof / Phishing Emails - Tips on how to identify & stay protected **

[PayPal_Siobhán]

Due to the increase in Phishing /Spoof Emails being reported to PayPal I thought I would post a few tips on this topic that might help.

You’ll know that an email is not from PayPal when:

• The email uses a generic greeting like ‘Dear user’ or ‘Hello, PayPal member.’ We'll always address you by your first and last name.
• The email requests financial and other personal information. A real email from us will never ask for your bank account number, debit or credit card number etc. Also we'll never ask for your full name, your account password, or the answers to your PayPal security questions in an email.
• The email asks you to provide the tracking number of a dispatched item, before you've received the payment into your PayPal account
• The email includes a software update to install on your computer.

Here are some security tips to help you stay protected online:

• Even if a URL contains the word 'PayPal', it may not be a PayPal webpage.
• When using PayPal, always ensure that the URL address listed at the top of the browser displays as https://www.paypal.com. The 's' in ‘https’ means the website is secure.
• Look for the 'lock' symbol that appears in the address bar. This symbol indicates that the site you are visiting is secure.

If you think you’ve received a phishing email, forward it to spoof@paypal.co.uk and then delete the fake email from your mailbox.

Hope this helps,

Siobhán 

[Wichuda]

Hi,

I've received this email and it looks weird to me. Is it fake?

You've received an instant payment

This e-Mail confirms that you have received an Instant payment of ฿18,200.00 THB
from Elizabeth [removed] via PayPal MERCHANDISE Payment Service.

Reversals : This method of payment can not be reversed.

Status : Pending reload Transport Company Awaiting Payment.

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressDiscoverPayPalPayPal Credit
Summary of this invoice

Sent from Elizabeth [removed]

Title ฿ 6,200.00 THB
฿ 2,000.00 THB
฿ 10,000.00 THB

฿ 18,200.00 THB

Goods Purchased

Transport Company's Agent : Boyd Freight International Shipping Company

Name : Li [removed],
Address :[removed]
City : Beijing
Province : Beijing
Zip code : [removed]
Country : China

Once the money's there you can:
Spend the money online at thousands of stores that accept PayPal.
Transfer it to your bank account (Once the money's there).
Get a PayPal Debit Master Card.
The above sum includes the transport charges & tax as we and the Transport Company quoted for the buyer (as per PayPal MERCHANDISE PAYMENT POLICY). You will receive a Message from us shortly informing you on how to send the Transport Fee and Tax to the transport company.

PLEASE NOTE:
Questions? You may contact us by replying directly to this message >>For assistance
Thanks for using PayPal – the safer, easier way to pay and get paid online.
Please kindly reply to this email for help or status on this transaction. This mailbox is monitored and you will receive a response.
Copyright © 1999-2016 PayPal. All rights reserved.

PayPal Email ID PP307.

[PayPal_Rachael]

Hi Coletca,

I can confirm that this email is not from PayPal.

If you ever receive a payment to your account you can check this by logging in as normal and reviewing your payment history. Though a payment may be held you will still see the money in your pending balance.
 

You’ll know that an email is not from PayPal when:

• The email uses a generic greeting like ‘Dear user’ or ‘Hello, PayPal member.’ We'll always address you by your first and last name or the business name on your PayPal account.
• The email requests financial and other personal information. A real email from us will never ask for your bank account number, debit or credit card number etc. Also we'll never ask for your full name, your account password, or the answers to your PayPal security questions in an email.
• The email asks you to provide the tracking number of a dispatched item, before you've received the payment into your PayPal account
• The email includes a software update to install on your computer.

I hope this helps.

Rachael

[PunkyDarky]

I receive one today, and yeah it was really so strange to have this.

Important: Your Account Has Been Limited

Dear (email) Your PayPal account has been limited because we've noticed significant changes in your account activity. As your payment processor, we need to understand these changes better. This account Iimitation will affect your ability to: + send or receive money + withdraw money Also, you won't be able to: + remove any bank accounts + remove credit cards + close your account What to do next Please log in to your PayPal account and provide the requested information through the Resolution Center. If we don't receive the information before this deadline or we notice additional significant changes in your account activity, your account access may be further limited. Log In Here Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Sincerely, PayPal ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Is An Automatically Generated Email, Please Do Not Reply You Are Receiving This Email Because You Are A Registered Member Of PayPaI Read Our Privacy Policy,Security and Protection If You Have Any Questions Copyright © 1999-2016 PayPaI All Rights Reserved.

[Worrier]

Hi PunkyDarky

I got this email a couple of days ago and only came across it today (it was in my Spam folder).  It told me I had to reply by 10 January, when it was only sent just before 9pm on 9 January. It also addressed my by my full email address and not my name/s.  these things both made me suspicious enough to look carefully at the sender's email address [removed] I did note that it was not a Paypal address or any attempt to be one but it did have the Paypal logo at the top and "Copyright  © 1999-2017 PayPal Inc. All rights reserved." at the bottom..  So, I forwarded it to spoof@paypal.com and have now had a reply from them (very promptly too) to say

"Dear ,

Thanks for taking an active role by reporting suspicious-looking emails.
Unfortunately, we're unable to determine if this email is considered
phishing because the email did not claim to come from PayPal.
Nonetheless, we are grateful for your concern. "

So I then search engined the email address and I can't find anything on anything (maybe I'm just too stupid to do it right?!) So long story short, I'm still confused, I'm going to delete the email and hope that nothing happens with my well used Paypal account, payments or my bank cards!

Maybe someone else can help with more info for us?????

[PayPal_paula]

Hi graham01, 

When PayPal send you an email we will always address you using your full name and we never put links in our emails. However as the email address seems to be addressing someone elses name I would suggest that you contact us to confirm the emails you have been receiving. 

To contact us please click on the contact us link at the bottom of every PayPal page. 

I hope this helps 

Paula 

[MervinDomanico]

HI,

i got an email with the same email address and i sent it to spoof@paypal.com. can you please send the correct link of Paypal where we can register. is there a fake website of this?

THanks,

Mervin

[MSK89]

Guys. When getting an email like this, click forward and check the actual email. This is one I got today from [removed]So the name on the email account is a correct PayPal account but the actual address is a fraud. Always check for the actual address. What you see is basically a title. Always be vigilant, I learnt the hard way.

[deynay]

i just got the same email and first thing i did was cheking the meail adress not the title and it turns out to be from [removed]

[maddog_miller]

I received a similar email this morning.  On closer inspection, I noticed the email was from intl.paypa"i".com. (without the quotes).  The last letter in paypal was cleverly replaced with a capital "i".  Most definitely a scam.

[NTGroup]

Hi,

This morning I just received an email similar as graham01 had received. "Welcome to Paypal...." from [removed]

I do use Paypal with another email address, but Paypal recipient email address has never been used to sign up on Paypal ! Also email is addressed to "tom lee" with chinese address. Of course it is not my name and I do not leave in China.

What is the next process to be sure that no Paypal account will be used with my email address ? (Moreover my email address is build with firstname+lastname@companyname) .

What about the confirmation code within Paypal message ? How to contact Paypal and tell them to delete this account ?

Please help !

Regards