Scam or real?

dplax · 06-08-2004, 12:00 PM

I got this message from paypal service today and I need your help in deciding whether to do what it says:
In the from field it says: service@paypal.com(service@paypal.com)
Subject is: Paypal service fraud warning!

Quote:

Dear PayPal valued member,

Due to concerns, for the safety and integrity of the PayPal
community we have issued this warning message.
It has come to our attention that your account information needs to be renew due to
inactive members, spoof reports and frauds.
You must to renew your records and you will not
run into any future problems with the online service.
However, failure to update your records will result in account deletation.
This notification expires on June 10, 2004.

Once you have updated your account records your PayPal will not be
interrupted and will continue as normal.

Please follow the link below
and renew your account information.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=login-run

PayPal
PayPal Service Department

RoSs_bg2_rox · 06-08-2004, 12:04 PM

looks quite legit, but all of these things are a bit risky. There should be away to tell if your account needs renewed. Try checking on ebay or something, it should say the expiry date.

Stormymystic · 06-08-2004, 12:05 PM

not sure really, it takes you to the paypal site, but I would only update from the site it's self, not follow links, go to the paypal site, remember that rule

Illumina Drathiran'ar · 06-08-2004, 12:07 PM

I don't use PayPal, but my instincts say that if you need to question its authenticity, that's a warning right there. I echo Ross when I say you should find out if there's another way to check this information.

drew_jarvie · 06-08-2004, 12:08 PM

I personally think it is a hoax. Firstly, the grammar is poorly formed; hardly the work of proffesionals. Secondly, why would you need to renew your account because of "inactive members spoof reports and frauds"? Surely they could just delete old unused names. I dunno, just my tuppence worths, but I would not follow that email.

EDIT: ALso I just noticed, proffesionals probably wouldnt put Fraud Warning! as a title; it seems too..... unproffesional.

[ 06-08-2004, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: drew_jarvie ]

Vaskez · 06-08-2004, 12:14 PM

Hmmm yeah, the link seems legit but the reason given for requiring an update is a bit unconvincing. I'd log into your account normally on the paypal site, following the links from www.paypal.com. If there is some notice given about updating when you log in (as is done by Natwest bank for example when I do online banking) then you should do it. Otherwise do nothing. At worst you'll have your account cancelled and you can set up a new one. They wouldn't want to lose a customer over a minor issue such as updating anyway.

And just because the link is to paypal site doesn't mean it's real. Fraudsters know that if the link WASN'T to the paypal site then even the dumbest of people will know it's fake. I'd do what I said above.

andrewas · 06-08-2004, 01:23 PM

PHISHING. Look at the spelling of 'deletation'. And the whole thing looks amateurish.

Delete and ignore. If your concerned, log into your paypal account through normal means, if you need to update the account there should be some indication on site.

If you look through the source of the email you will probably find that after the www.paypal.com part of the address there is a high ASCII unprintable character and then another address. IE will show the first part of the address in every display -address bar, the link, the link properties, the status bar. But it will go to the second, and I'm pretty certain that that will be to someones personal server sending out a spoof paypal logon to grab your username and password.

Ronn_Bman · 06-08-2004, 01:40 PM

I received an email from PayPal in the past few days saying there was a scam being run and to ignore such emails. Contact customer service from their site to report this email.

Cloudbringer · 06-08-2004, 01:55 PM

Fraud...the grammar is horrible and it's asking for your info something they just don't do.
Andrewas' post is dead on, in my estimation!

[ 06-08-2004, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ]

Firestormalpha · 06-08-2004, 02:38 PM

I have to say, that email is an english teachers worst nightmare. I've seen/heard/read worse, in highschool, but not by much.

06-08-2004, 12:04 PM	#2
RoSs_bg2_rox Zartan Join Date: May 20, 2003 Location: Near Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 36 Posts: 5,225	looks quite legit, but all of these things are a bit risky. There should be away to tell if your account needs renewed. Try checking on ebay or something, it should say the expiry date. __________________ [img]\"http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/ladyzekke/dragonwater2.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

06-08-2004, 12:05 PM	#3
Stormymystic Knight of the Rose Join Date: April 8, 2003 Location: Arkansas Age: 49 Posts: 4,442	not sure really, it takes you to the paypal site, but I would only update from the site it's self, not follow links, go to the paypal site, remember that rule __________________ [url]\"http://stormymystic.deviantart.com/gallery/\" target=\"_blank\"> [img]\"http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3968/stormyvx6.jpg\" alt=\" - \" /></a>

06-08-2004, 12:07 PM	#4
Illumina Drathiran'ar Apophis Join Date: July 10, 2002 Location: I can see the Manhattan skyline from my window. Age: 39 Posts: 4,673	I don't use PayPal, but my instincts say that if you need to question its authenticity, that's a warning right there. I echo Ross when I say you should find out if there's another way to check this information. __________________ http://cavestory.org PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously. http://xkcd.com/386/ http://www.xkcd.com/406/ My heart is like my coffee. Black, bitter, icy, and with a straw.

06-08-2004, 12:08 PM	#5
drew_jarvie Zhentarim Guard Join Date: October 28, 2003 Location: Aberdeen Age: 36 Posts: 300	I personally think it is a hoax. Firstly, the grammar is poorly formed; hardly the work of proffesionals. Secondly, why would you need to renew your account because of "inactive members spoof reports and frauds"? Surely they could just delete old unused names. I dunno, just my tuppence worths, but I would not follow that email. EDIT: ALso I just noticed, proffesionals probably wouldnt put Fraud Warning! as a title; it seems too..... unproffesional. [ 06-08-2004, 12:10 PM: Message edited by: drew_jarvie ] __________________ Plan to be spantaneous tommorow...

06-08-2004, 12:14 PM	#6
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	Hmmm yeah, the link seems legit but the reason given for requiring an update is a bit unconvincing. I'd log into your account normally on the paypal site, following the links from www.paypal.com. If there is some notice given about updating when you log in (as is done by Natwest bank for example when I do online banking) then you should do it. Otherwise do nothing. At worst you'll have your account cancelled and you can set up a new one. They wouldn't want to lose a customer over a minor issue such as updating anyway. And just because the link is to paypal site doesn't mean it's real. Fraudsters know that if the link WASN'T to the paypal site then even the dumbest of people will know it's fake. I'd do what I said above. __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

06-08-2004, 01:23 PM	#7
andrewas Harper Join Date: October 2, 2001 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland Age: 43 Posts: 4,774	PHISHING. Look at the spelling of 'deletation'. And the whole thing looks amateurish. Delete and ignore. If your concerned, log into your paypal account through normal means, if you need to update the account there should be some indication on site. If you look through the source of the email you will probably find that after the www.paypal.com part of the address there is a high ASCII unprintable character and then another address. IE will show the first part of the address in every display -address bar, the link, the link properties, the status bar. But it will go to the second, and I'm pretty certain that that will be to someones personal server sending out a spoof paypal logon to grab your username and password. __________________ [img]\"http://www.sighost.us/members/Zvijer/andrewas.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

06-08-2004, 01:40 PM	#8
Ronn_Bman Zartan Join Date: March 11, 2001 Location: North Carolina USA Age: 58 Posts: 5,177	I received an email from PayPal in the past few days saying there was a scam being run and to ignore such emails. Contact customer service from their site to report this email. __________________ [img]\"http://home.carolina.rr.com/orthanc/pics/Spinning%20Hammer%20Sig%20Pic.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

06-08-2004, 01:55 PM	#9
Cloudbringer Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Upstate NY USA Posts: 19,737	Fraud...the grammar is horrible and it's asking for your info something they just don't do. Andrewas' post is dead on, in my estimation! [ 06-08-2004, 01:56 PM: Message edited by: Cloudbringer ] __________________ "Don't take life for granted." Animal (may he rest in peace)

06-08-2004, 02:38 PM	#10
Firestormalpha Knight of the Rose Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Coral Springs, Fl USA Age: 41 Posts: 4,454	I have to say, that email is an english teachers worst nightmare. I've seen/heard/read worse, in highschool, but not by much. __________________ "When you start with a presupposition, it's hard to arrive at any other conclusion." "We are never to judge a philosophy by its abuse." - Augustine "If you're wondering if God has a sense of humor, consider the platypus." http://www.greaterthings.cbglades.com

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