Unknown number contacted me!!

[hannahcleaver]

I recently got a text message from a number claiming that my PayPal account has been locked and I have 36H to unlock it. I haven’t made a payment through PayPal in ages and haven’t received an email about this matter either. I don’t know whether this is fake and I should leave it, or if I should log in through the link that was provided with the text message. Please help - has anyone else received this or something similar?

[kernowlass]

@hannahcleaver

Sounds like a spoof ........................

If its a spoof, DO NOT USE ANY LINK.

Firstly if the email/ text addressed you as ''Dear Member'' / ''Customer'' / ''Client'' OR your ''email address'' then that confirms its a spoof as paypal would address you by your full name eg Dear John Smith.

Secondly if there was a link OR attachment in that email to ''cancel'' the transaction or ''confirm'' any details then again it would be a spoof.

If there was a problem with your account paypal would not ask you to click on an unsafe link in an email or by downloading an attachment, they would direct you to log in normally and go to the resolution or the message centre for more information.

More info here >>
https://www.paypal.com/us/selfhelp/article/how-to-spot-fake-emails-faq2340/2