Bitcoin Scam?

temp20221004f
Contributor
Contributor

I received an email with the PayPal logo on it stating I made a bitcoin purchase from CoinBase for $548.15 (I did not) and that the charge mode would be from my my debit checking account. It stated, "Your transaction has been successfully processed! Your coins will be available once it is confirmed!!"

 

It gives a number to call to open a dispute, which I did not call.

 

Can anyone give me some peace of mind that this is just a scam to get me to call them? How can I be sure? 

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@temp20221004f 

 

If its a spoof then NEVER USE ANY LINK OR ANY PHONE NUMBER.

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/text to ''cancel'' any transaction or ''confirm'' any details then again it would be a spoof.

Also if they ask you to call the number in the email then it would be fake paypal agents trying to scam you for money to 'fix' something. 

If there was a problem with your account Paypal would not ask you to click on an unsafe link in an email / download an attachment OR phone them on a number in an email, 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/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-spot-and-report-a-fake%2C-fraudulent%2C-or-phis...
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/suspicious-activity




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11 REPLIES 11
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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@temp20221004f 

 

If its a spoof then NEVER USE ANY LINK OR ANY PHONE NUMBER.

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/text to ''cancel'' any transaction or ''confirm'' any details then again it would be a spoof.

Also if they ask you to call the number in the email then it would be fake paypal agents trying to scam you for money to 'fix' something. 

If there was a problem with your account Paypal would not ask you to click on an unsafe link in an email / download an attachment OR phone them on a number in an email, 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/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-spot-and-report-a-fake%2C-fraudulent%2C-or-phis...
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/suspicious-activity




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Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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Temp20230403l
New Community Member

I received the following:

Canceled request details

Amount requested
$538.00 USD
Note from Katheryn [removed]:
This request for your Bitcoin purchase, if you have not made this transaction, Please report to our fraud investigation team[Removed. Phone #s not permitted]
Transaction ID
U-70H41410JW017605E
Transaction date
January 17, 2023

 

Upon logging into my paypal account, I discovered that the transaction attempt was real and was rejected.

I did not attempt to buy Bitcoin.  Don't know how they applied for the $$$

 

Thank you for watching out for me PayPal!

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Whatsupchuck
New Community Member

How do I report this and make sure this doesn't actually get wd from my account or charged to paypal?Paypal.jpg

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Whatsupchuck 

 

Have you actually read this thread?


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deekaykay
Contributor
Contributor

It's a scam.

 

The scammer creates a payment request towards your account, and in the payment requester's name field they insert the message you see (not a requester name).  After submitting it, the scammer immediately cancels the transaction. The activity appears in your PayPal activity online, and if you have SMS notifications turned on, you will receive the message and it looks like it's a legit PayPal warning message, when in fact, it isn't. 

 

Out of curiosity, I called the number (from a secure phone) and it immediately was picked up by a noisy Indian call center. Within 30 seconds the guy tried to direct me to install AnyDesk remote access software on my computer. I called him out on the scam, and then reported it all to PayPal. 

 

*** Bottom line*** No money changed hands; the scammers are just trying to get you to call them so they can gain access to your computer.

 

I wish PayPal would do something about restricting the transaction "Request From" field to prevent this.

 

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Spuradnil
New Community Member
I found this to be very helpful
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farinthewoods
New Community Member

Absolutely a SCAM!! I hope people and especially the more vulnerable are helped and not duped into this nasty activity.  It would be great if PayPal sent out warnings to their customers regularly to warn them about possible scams.  I received the same bitcoin email today--just junk!!

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LOrton1961
Contributor
Contributor

This is the 3rd scam email that is stating that I have purchased bitcoin, when I have not and WILL NOT.

How can we prevent these from occurring and not taking money out of our PayPal accounts.

I don't want to have any Fraud charges towards my PAYPAL account. HELP>

 

 

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Rcor
New Community Member
Got an email on May 17, 2024 telling me an unauthorized charge for $485.75 was made to my account for Bitcoin transaction. The security team was aware but I must call a # to dispute the charge with in 24 hrs!!! Looked like a legit Pay Pal correspondence but it was not! Logged in and Checked my account....all good...Changed password.
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