PayPal scams get harder to detect

[herron]

:-XJust verified with PayPal (by forwarding the email I got to [e-mail]) that the latest phishing expedition is on....and I have to admit, the fakers and scammers are getting better all the time.

Latest attempt (came to my email this evening) to get you to divulge your banking info contains copy like this...along with some very believable graphics...even ads for other companies!

Though we try to keep your money as safe as possible, some hardships come onto our paths that we must deal with. We've encountered a security issue that needs to be taken care of by the individual members who use our service. Thankfully, we've come up with a way to secure your account in one easy step. We've come up with a patch which, when downloaded, secures your account from every form of hijacking and money theft. Download the patch below.

Of course, there is no real download...but to get to it you give them your account info...which is all they need to find out your bank account information and any credit card info you have on file. Don't click on a thing! Report it to PayPal and add it to your spam filters!

Stay alert!

[Just Plain Curt]

Thanks for sharing this Ron, I'll keep my eyes open.

[PeterW]

Thanks for the heads-up, Ron.

PeterW

[kiev4a]

Could really be a "patch." One that logs your keystrokes!

[aceroadholder]

Must be a new gang at it. I got a very similar email just a few minutes ago... but this one was purporting to be from my mortgage company. They must have gotten into some data base that has some basic information about their targets.

Orlin in SC/USA

[Reiska]

I have for years been concerned about how they have succeeded to get a control over my web cam. I don’t see any other possibility how they know my virility level and my overweight... (yes I also suspected my wife but she denies everything and we have a confidential relationship)

Any kind of phishing is growing all the time and the crooks are getting smarter. It is an endless race between the goodies and baddies.

[Rachel]

I instantly mistrust any "cold call" email from my bank, the credit card companies, ebay and paypal. I never use the links on any such emails.

[herron]

(sigh)

'Twas ever thus, I'm afraid.

The Internet has given the scam artists a whole new avenue to explore P.T. Barnum's famous adage...."There's a sucker born every minute."

Best advice is to try hard not to be one.

[mickeyobe]

I make it a firm policy NEVER to open any email unless I am certain who the sender is and/or unless it is addressed to me.
So far I have been lucky.

Mickey

[doubs43]

I recently received a "Second Chance" offer that came from the UK according to the return address. The bid I'd made was for an item being sold in the US. I e-mailed the original seller who confirmed my thought that no second chance offer had been issued by them.

It's important to keep your guard up to avoid fraudulent offers.

Walker