PayPal security issue

opinionated3

Hi all. Hoping someone can advise me here. I've had a paypal account for roughly two years now with no issues bar having to change password there a while back when there was a worldwide security problem. However on Friday I received an email to my hotmail account alledging to be from PayPal saying that my " account statut has been changed". The misspelling of status concerned me a bit. It went on to say that there was information missing from my account (what this is I don't know). There was then a link in blue lettering stating " verified now" . I clicked on this and a screen appeared again purporting to be from PayPal and this was asking for password, credit card number security code etc. I closed it cos I just got suspicious. Has anyone else received anything like this lately? How can I tell if it's definitely PayPal who are contacting me or just a spammer trying to take my credit card details? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

9de5q7tsr8u2im

How to protect yourself from fake emails

When you aren't sure if you can trust an email claiming to be from PayPal, here are 2 guidelines that can help you to spot the real from the fake:
PayPal emails will always use your first and last name, or your business's name.
PayPal emails will never ask for your personal or account information such as credit or debit card numbers, bank account details, driver's license number, email addresses, or passwords.


Source:
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/helpcenter/helphub/article/?solutionId=FAQ2331

Beano

easiest thing to do is forward the email to spoof@paypal.com they will reply telling you whether it a valid paypal email. The usual warning signs still apply. If the email is not addressed to your full name, it asks you to click a link or contains misspellings or bad grammar then it isnt genuine. If in doubt log in to your paypal account (from a separate window) and the same message should be in your paypal account. If it isnt then it isnt genuine.

opinionated3

Thanks for all the advise folks. Really appreciate it. Will log on to my own account now and see. Will also forward the email to PayPal. Thanks again

my3cents

OP these are quiet common, the only problem with you clicking the link is that you have confirmed that your email account is active so you might get a few more plus a bit more other spam.

allthedoyles

Log in to your account ( from a webpage and not email link )

Have a look at the updates on the right-hand-side and see if there are any requests there .

You may have to confirm your account / link and confirm credit card .

Also under your name in Paypal , check the status of your account ( verified/unverified )

By doing so will make your PP account more secure .

opinionated3

Thanks lads. Contacted PayPal and awaiting their final word on this but it does look like this is a case of phishing. There is nothing on my official paypal page about missing info on my account and my page is also deemed to be verified. Hopefully all should be ok now. Thanks for all your help

Miaireland

Sounds like the exact same email I keep getting to my hotmail account. My paypal account is not linked nor ever has been linked to that email address so I would say it is a scam email. You will probably soon get an email saying your account has been locked also a scam email.

When you clicked on the link did you have to enter your password? If you did change it. (Make sure you log on through the paypal website). It might also be worth running a virus screen on the computer just to be on the safe side.