New PayPal Scam

[Dave James]

This morning when I got to work, I opened up Outlook and there was a message from PayPal confirming my purchase of a 60GB i-Pod from "dadvdguy" for $355.00. Problem is, I didn't buy a 60GB i-Pod from anyone. This message, as most do nowdays, looks completely legit. It says your address is unconfirmed and links you to another legitimate looking site that provides you, among other things, with an opportunity to contest the payment using PayPal's resolution center. Of course, that requires you to log on using your password. Believe me when I say this all looks on the up and up. So, just to be sure someone hadn't hacked into my PayPal account, I went into their website and confirmed that there have been no withdrawls from my account or payments made as indicated in the e-mail.

One other piece of information. The guy who is supposably shipping the i-Pod to me is Omar Hadji who lives in Timpson, Texas.

Ya'll may have seen this one before. I haven't. Forewarned is forearmed...and we're not talking Tookie Williams here.

Up over and out.

[Dan Gould]

That is a new one. Thanks for the heads up.

[robviti]

you gotta give 'em credit. someone stayed up late thinking of this one.

remember, if you get an email from paypal, ebay, etc. and it's addressed to "dear paypal customer," "dear ebay seller/buyer," etc., it's a fake! legit emails always use your real name in their salutation.

[Adam]

Any email from Paypal that asks you to click on a link to their site is fake.

Paypal emails always say to type in "www.paypal.com" yourself and enter your information.

That said, those scam artists sure do a lot of work.

[ValerieB]

i've also received similar messages! we really must be on our toes, 24/7! i had to change my password with paypal as well. and you're absolutely correct, the scam/fraud emails/websites look really legit! pretty damn scary!

Edited December 20, 2005 by ValerieB

[Dave James]

The scary part is that they had my e-mail address and my name, i.e. it was personalized, not just someone throwing a net in the ocean and seeing how many fish would swim in. I've notified PayPal about this, but I'm thinking I'd better, as Valerie suggests, change my password.

Up over and out.

[J.A.W.]

I always forward messages like that to spoof@paypal.com and spoof@ebay.com.

[Dave James]

I did forward this to the spoof@paypal.com. They responded very quickly and confirmed that this was, indeed, a hoax, or what they call phishing. They also indicated that they are working diligently to shut down the site that you're directed to in the fake message. In spite of this, and because I'd rather be safe than sorry, I went ahead and changed my password. All things considered, this is the most sophisticated scam I've run into.

A word to the wise (from PayPal) should be sufficient. They remind everyone that any communication with PayPal should be initiated by you entering their URL in your browser, i.e. under no circumstances should you link to any site suggested by anyone else.

Sine Die.

Up over and out.

[robviti]

i just got one today purportedly sent by safeharbor department ebay, inc. again, it's addressed "dear ebay member." bastards!

[ghost of miles]

I got one along these lines just now:

You recently attempted to transfer funds from your bank account to your PayPal account.

Your bank has accepted the funds transfer. We charged your credit card to cover your payment to whestlers@comcast.net.

For current information on your account balance and transaction history,

please click here to login to your PayPal account.

-----------------------------------

Transaction Details

-----------------------------------

Transaction Type: Instant Transfer payment to whestlers@comcast.net

Transaction ID: 60111278G5805140C

Transaction Amount: $528.00 USD

Whatever. I'm going to check my PayPal account to make sure that everything's OK, but gawd, this scam s&*% gets tiresome.