Paypal Email Hoax

[KevinW]

To all: I just got off the phone with PayPal to confirm the following:

 

I just got back in to my home office, and saw an email from PayPal indicating that I was flagged randomly to verify my account. It asked me to click on a link, and then displayed a complete PayPal screen asking me to re-enter ALL MY INFORMATION, including name, address, banking acct number, etc.

 

Well, I knew it was a hoax "almost" immediately. Three dead giveaways:

1. The initial link "read" http://www.paypal.com, not https://...

2. Once I clicked on the link, the URL changed to an IP address 211.75.58.108

3. I know better than being "required" to re-enter all my secured information

 

I'm posting this because I was suckered into it far enough to click on the "click here" button -- but I'm sure others would have not seen any problems in re-entering all that information, essentially giving some one a free ride with your checking account or charge account!

 

Be careful out there!

 

If you're not sure it's legit - it probabvly ain't!

 

:-)

kw

[TCH-Sales]

Thanks for the heads up on this one! Damn hoaxes, gotta keep an eye out for 'em!

[KevinW]

Well, this one had all the PayPal logos in the right place, and took you to a screen that was nearly identical to what you would expect from PayPal.

 

The funny thing was that just yesterday when I had logged on to PayPal directly, they had me answer some yes/no questions. So today, I see this email from "Paypal" and didn't think anything about opening it up.

 

Here in Florida, we must have weekly news reports of an elderly person somewhere receiving a phone call and being asked for their bank account and credit card number over the phone, and losing their life savings. So, I'm at least attentive to the issue that you don't give out anything to anyone unless you initiated the communication!

 

-kw

[Larry]

yeah.. hoaxes suck..

 

there's a person going around spamming people who dont use our isp.. offerring a free year of service (cable modem at that) if they switch.. and the link takes them to a page wanting a cc # ss # and the whole nine yards..

 

 

needless to say it's not something we offer.. or sent out. they are just trying to take in the 'gullable' people

[Head Guru]

Yep they suck.

 

Ask me sometime about the AOL scam...

 

LOL

[KevinW]

And watch out for the Microsoft Update hoax email --- it almost looks real, unless you understand that Microsoft never sends out emails announcing updates!

 

:-)

kw

[Lianna]

Great information Library on viruses and hoaxes:

 

McAfee Avert

 

I check every warning I get from emails. Then I reply back to the sender and the folks that also received it with me. First line of the email always reads,

"DO NOT FORWARD HOAX VIRUS WARNINGS!"

 

Virus hoaxes can be just as detrimental at the real thing. Especially if they contain *cleaning* instructions. Unwitting recipients cause their own demise by following the instructions blindly. (I'll tell you a funny story about my Dad someday. )

 

Hope this post helps to enlighten someone.

[KevinW]

I agree with you, Lianna. When I receive such hoaxes from someone else, I usually use Google to locate 3 or 4 links. I then write back to that person telling them:

1. It's a hoax, and explain how you can tell it's a hoax

2. I send them the links that support my claim

3. I tell them in the future to check the claims of email out BEFORE they forward it to others

4. And if they wish, send the email to me first, and I will tell them if its a hoax

5. They they need to contact everyone that they sent the hoax email to.

 

[on soap box]

Personally speaking, I tell people that forwarding hoax emails to others *without* first authenticating the validity of such emails is equivalent to spreading lies and gossip -- neither of which I will put up with. The result of sending such emails is that we end up spreading fear and concern amongst those receiving such emails. We cannot, and should not, become willing participants in such acts.

[off soap box]

 

-kw