Paypal Account Management scam?

CivilServant

Browsing through the email this morning and found this email about paypal account management. Its says to update my records or risk account suspension. Seemed ok until I clicked on the link and the address seemed a bit suspicious. The link says "http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_login-run" but actually goes to "http://0xc2669cc4/index.php" and shows a simulation of the real paypal website. Alarms bells were ringing in the head. Looking back at the email, it is very generic and not specific to me at all. What do you think guys? Real or scam

rgfuller

These messages are always scams.

From paypal themselves: http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_help-ext&eloc=34&loc=5&unique_id=609971&source_page=_home&flow=

How can I tell the difference between a real PayPal email and a fake one?

The term spoofing and phishing have been used to describe the act of collecting personal information using a fake email in order to commit identity theft, credit card, and Internet fraud. If you click on a link included in an email you're not sure is from PayPal, make sure the address at the top of the browser window you're brought to reads exactly www.paypal.com.

PayPal emails will address you by first name, last name, or business name, and NOT by Dear PayPal User or Dear PayPal Member.

If you are ever uncertain about the validity of the email or the email links, open a new web browser window and type in www.paypal.com.

If you think you have received a fraudulent email, forward the entire email to spoof@paypal.com and then delete it from your email account.

ircoha

CivilServant wrote:

Browsing through the email this morning and found this email about paypal account management. Its says to update my records or risk account suspension. Seemed ok until I clicked on the link and the address seemed a bit suspicious. The link says "http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_login-run" but actually goes to "http://0xc2669cc4/index.php" and shows a simulation of the real paypal website. Alarms bells were ringing in the head. Looking back at the email, it is very generic and not specific to me at all. What do you think guys? Real or scam

Scam, no doubt, follow the above advice, update and run your virus /anti spyware soft ware and clear out your temp inet files and cookies.

This is just in case there was anything embedded in the link.

If not clear on how to do this, post a q in Tech and some of the experts will be glad to advise

Ruu_Old

Clearly a scam, forward it to Paypal also (I'm not sure what the email address is spoof@paypal.com, I think). These emails are fairly regular these days. Normally they come with "Dear User" or "Dear Paypal Member" but when Paypal contact you they use the accout name.