Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

Wordpro Wizard · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011

This morning my email contained one from PayPal saying my account had been charged by a Gary Kostelec for $100 for a couple of bottles of homeopathic drops. At the bottom of the email there was a button "Cancel Transaction". That leads to a form where you fill in all your personal and banking information. I don't think so!

I checked my PayPal account and there was no trace of it. It came from service.intl@paypaI.com (notice paypaI, not Paypal). I've forwarded it to spoof@paypal.com but it won't go through - maybe they're just overloaded with reports.

Curiously, it came into my business email, not the email I use for PayPal, so the scammers are obviously lifting email addresses from websites.

Be careful folks!

Lynne

JoCarole · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011

Thanks Lynne for the heads up.

I have been sent a few PP scams but nothing recently. One thing is for sure, we can't take anything for granted, every single thing has to be looked at very carefully before hitting Enter or Send buttons!

Business-Bytes · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2011

Thanks for the info, Lynne. These buggers are getting darn tricky in their tactics.

I found this helpful from Brighthub (I live by the portions indicated in bold, and I also removed links within the excerpt):

"Don’t respond to any official looking email warnings or requests to provide or update account numbers, logon information, account information, banking information, passwords, your address or phone number, or social security numbers from any seemingly reputable company – your bank, retail stores, brokers, the IRS, etc. Never provide any information in an email that you do not want available to strangers. Phishing scams are fishing for your personal information to be used for criminal purposes ranging from removing monies from your accounts to stealing your identity. To check whether the company actually sent you the email, telephone the company directly or close your email program (don’t click on a link in the email) and go to their website in your usual fashion and logon.
...

Be cautious when your internet service provider, bank, store, credit union, broker, or any other reputable company seems to ask you to update your personal logon, banking or financial information by clicking on a link. Reputable companies do not request their customers or clients to update or provide personal information (logon information, passwords, personal identification numbers, account numbers, or social security numbers) through email. Check with the company through a phone call or by logging on to your secure area of their website in your usual fashion in a new browser window. Phishing scams are exactly what they sound like – fishing for your personal, banking, account or financial information. These typically result in identity theft. Sometimes these have intriguing subject lines like “Account Security Measures”, “Problems with your Account”, “Update from (reputable company)”, “Company Systems Verification Requested”, or “Your Account will be Closed”. Reputable companies also do not address their customers or clients as “user” or “member”. They usually address you by your name. Don't trust e-mail headers because they can be easily forged. The email may say “Citibank” or “PayPal” and look exactly like the company’s logo but it is not from the legitimate company. Don’t click on any links in these emails."

Visit the site for a lot more info including blank emails and filling out forms within emails.

Wordpro Wizard · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2011

If you right click on the email header it will show you where the email actually came from. Mine came from this man's (his own name) .com email address in Australia.

Lynne

eXPERT Business Support · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2011

Wow -- I just saw this thread and wanted to thank you for the heads up on this. I actually just posted a thread on the PayPal topic elsewhere, so I apologize for repeating . . . I have been using PayPay exclusively to invoice/receive payments, primarily because, heck, it was just so darn easy to do.

I have had smooth sailing to this point, granted I don't have loads of transactions going on.

So . . . what has the experience been for you all? Does this phishing issue happen frequently? I would think it would be a turnoff for a client as well if they've had a bad experience sending payments with PayPal.

Business-Bytes · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2011

Originally Posted by eXPERT Business Support

So . . . what has the experience been for you all? Does this phishing issue happen frequently? I would think it would be a turnoff for a client as well if they've had a bad experience sending payments with PayPal.

The thing is, Patty, the emails aren't from Paypal, so no worries about payments, etc. with Paypal use.

In the email Lynn received it was from @paypaI.com - a play on the Paypal name. That is something to look out for as one of their "tricks" they use. Also, Paypal never, ever asks for any type of account information via email. Period. No exceptions. You would have to login to your Paypal account to verify information using their secure system.

I've only invoiced a few times via Paypal, and have never had any problems. This was for some local tax prep clients, not my VA business, that were less than timely in paying me.

HTH a bit,

eXPERT Business Support · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2011

Thank you, Jules. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit of a worry wart. I seem to constantly focus on the worst case scenarios (however, I love that game!) and the what-ifs.

You're wonderful for clarifying! Muchas gracias

.

Business-Bytes · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-2011

Originally Posted by eXPERT Business Support

Thank you, Jules. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a bit of a worry wart. I seem to constantly focus on the worst case scenarios (however, I love that game!) and the what-ifs.

You're wonderful for clarifying! Muchas gracias

.

You gave me my smile for the evening, Patty.

I'm a worry wart, too, so I can really relate.

You are very welcome. Hope you're enjoying your weekend...worry free to boot!

OpTeam · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2011

Goodness, I am joining you in worrying! I did have my PayPal account hacked once years ago - but it looks like THEY are safe, right?

jygvirtualassistant · #10 (**permalink**) 03-26-2011

Interesting to read this... Like OpTeam, I had my Paypal Account hacked a long, long time ago. I ended up closing it, but I remember receiving lots of email from some strange "paypal" email asking me to verify my info. Not your traditional paypal verification.