Beware!

[bk_forever]

I had an email this morning, supposedly from paypal, saying my account had been restricted because they thought it had been accessed by a third party and if I didn't respond with my full bank account details within 24 hours my account would be suspended.

I'm sure this is a hoax as the page was not secure (i.e. the box where the URL for the page is located was not green with the padlock symbol), so watch out. It's way too easy to get caught out when an email has all the correct logos and looks legit.

Comments

[aviv-b.livejournal.com]

I was getting these as well a few months ago. Thanks for the reminder - it is easy to get fooled!

[bk_forever]

I've forwarded the email to paypal's division that deals with them, hopefully they might be able to prevent others getting them from this phishing site, but more will continue to crop up, we just have to keep our eyes open I guess.

Thankfully I'd seen warnings about phishing on a TV show that alerts people to all kinds of hoaxes and fake products, so I realised pretty fast that it wasn't legit. I hate to think how many people might be fooled into giving out personal and financial details. These people are so unscrupulous, it's scary.

[too-beauty.livejournal.com]

thanks for the advice, we, my hubby and I, pay many things with paypal.

[bk_forever]

I forwarded the email I got to the section of paypal that investigates such things. Just bear in mind that paypal itself would never ask for personal or financial details in an email and you'll be safe. Any email that says it's from paypal and asks for such information, just delete it. I went to my paypal account and changed my password too, just to be safe.

[lilferret]

Yeah, it's a hoax. It's been going around for years, I'm afraid. You did exactly the right thing.

[bk_forever]

I was sure it was, but I hate the thought of other people getting caught out by it, you really have to be on the ball to avoid such scams. I saw about these phishing sites on a TV show called Fake Britain, which alerts consumers to all kinds of frauds and hoaxes as well as how to spot if something is fake and avoid being scammed. It's horrifying to see all the different kinds of scams out there, both online and otherwise and some of them are so easy to fall foul of.

[lilferret]

Especially seniors. It's so sad.

[bk_forever]

It is. It's hard to believe sometimes that people can be so callous, tricking and cheating the elderly and vulnerable out of their savings, selling fake items that can kill or maim, destroying lives with no thought for anything but their own greed. It's disgusting.

[neverminetohold.livejournal.com]

Sounds like phishing. I wouldn't trust any mail that asks for my bank account information/PIN. I don't use PayPal, but I had the same problem with a supposedly unpaid/overdue bill, where they threatened me with a lawyer - I forwarded that email to Yahoo. Damn spam and phishing! :(

[bk_forever]

These people are so unscrupulous, we really have to be careful to avoid being scammed. Most people are aware of what to look out for or avoid, but it never hurt to warn in case there's someone who doesn't know. I'd hate to think of someone being tricked this way, especially if I could have prevented it, hence the warning - just in case.

[akawho.livejournal.com]

I've had similar emails over the years. I too reported them to PayPal. Good catch. Hopefully your report will prevent them from fleecing someone less canny.

[bk_forever]

I can only hope! If it prevents just one person from being tricked them it's worthwhile. Even if it just makes people more aware of the dangers then it was worth posting. It's too easy to get trickrd if you don't know what to look out for.

[black59.livejournal.com]

yep!we must be careful!

[bk_forever]

We must, there are a lot on dangers on the internet.