Warning Fake email from PayPal

@Polly1 (12645)
United States
April 23, 2008 4:23pm CST
I just received this email supposedly from paypal. It looks legit, it looks like its real and that it came from payapl. It didn't, I sent this to paypal, they just wrote me back saying it was a phony email and they thanked me for sending it to them. I just wanted to share with all of you. If you do get emails that look like they come from paypal, don't click on anything in the email. Go to Paypal and forward the email to spoof@paypal.com they will let you know if it is real. It could have been a disaster if I would have tried to log in thru this email, and give them my credit card info. I will post the "real" email I received from paypal after the first comment. We all have to be "on gaurd", we never know when it can happen to us.
4 people like this
14 responses
@Coletx (45)
• United States
23 Apr 08
That's scary, computer moron's could lose a few years of their life's to this.
3 people like this
• Canada
23 Apr 08
This isn't anything new, I've had this happen before. The email address they send me messages on doesn't have a Paypal account attached to it, but they still spam me frequently. It's best to just ignore these emails and delete them. Don't bother wasting your time, and never, ever respond to them.
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
23 Apr 08
Here is the "real email" I received from paypal. Thanks for taking an active role by reporting suspicious-looking emails. The email you forwarded to us is a phishing email, and our security team is working to disable it. ------------------------- What is a phishing email? ------------------------- Phishing emails attempt to steal your identity and will often ask you to reveal your password or other personal or financial information. PayPal will never ask for your password over the phone or in an email and will always address you by your first and last name. Take our Fight Phishing Challenge at https://www.paypal.com/fightphishing to learn 5 things you should know about phishing. You'll also see what we're doing to help fight fraud every day. ------------------------- You've made a difference. ------------------------- Every email counts. By forwarding a suspicious-looking email to spoof@paypal.com, you've helped keep yourself and others safe from identity theft. Thanks, The PayPal Team
1 person likes this
• Canada
23 Apr 08
Paypal always sends that email, it's actually an automated response, but it's reassuring to get something back from them.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
24 Apr 08
The email I got recently was that my account was "on hold". Yeah right, it isn't. The easiest way to tell: Paypal web address start with https:// NOT http://
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
24 Apr 08
When I do go to paypal I always check for the s, even when I go there on my own. Thanks for stopping by.
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Yes i have heard of this before..These scammers will do anything to get your personal information..You did good by sending it to paypal.....I remember being warned about this before so that is why i was aware....Anyone getting anything from paypal need to just delete it and contact the real paypal....
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
24 Apr 08
The scammers are good at what they do too, the emails always look legit. Anyone can be easily fooled into believing the email. Thats why I am putting the warning out, its a good reminder to us all.
1 person likes this
@tessah (6617)
• United States
24 Apr 08
paypal will always ALWAYS address you personally with yer name in the email "Dear(insert yer name here)" they never EVER use "Dear PayPal Member" so any emails you get from them, if it isnt addressed to you personally, its a fake.
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Thanks for stopping by.
1 person likes this
@paulw33 (297)
• United States
24 Apr 08
oh yes i had it happen to me i have a paypal account and got one of them emails a couple of months after i got it i have a bussiness account well i recieved a eamil and of course didnt know i put the stuff in they asked for well guess what next morning i went to the bank to withdraw my 800 dollar paycheck and it wasnt there thats right the whole thing gone lucky i have a nice bank they had checked it out and got my money back within a hour thank god what the peole did was stole myimformation and made a whole new bank card and took my money out after that i dont answer anyeamils like that and i turned that one in to paypal so remeber never answer them they can make alot of trouble for you have a good day
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Wow I am sorry to hear that happened to you. This is exactly why I posted this discussion. To warn people about this, it can happen to any of us. The emails always look real. BTW Welcome to Mylot, I hope you end up liking it here.
1 person likes this
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
30 Apr 08
Hi Vicky I have gotten those a few times, Paypal will never ask you for our password. always make sure ypu see the logo, secured site, when I am paying bills online, and doing different tranactions, I always looked for the lock or secured site. People that aren't on the internet too much can get fooled by this. that why everyone should know this.
@lucy02 (5015)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I get those all of the time. I called paypal early on and they told me it wasn't from them and not to trust any of those emails. There is so much scamming going on right now. I had to cancel my credit card cause I had made a purchase from a company and they kept charging it monthly and told me "there's not a thing you can do about it".
@raydene (9871)
• United States
24 Apr 08
Hi Doll I get them on a weekly basis........ I just forward them to spoof@paypal.com and forget about them... oxxoxoxoxoxoxo
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I forward them all too. I am going to say an extra prayer for you tonight. You have been in my thoughts, take care.
@misshoney (973)
• Philippines
24 Apr 08
hi polly1 :-). thanks for this warning . i appreciate it!
@amnher (290)
• Philippines
24 Apr 08
I Haven't encountered this kinds of email but just in case ill be careful. Thank you so much and God bless
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
24 Apr 08
[Polly I must thank you for that info. I am not so sure I would not have followed through on that link. I dont have a credit card so on the other hand that may have raised my suspicions. It is so good to be on a site where people share such valuable experiences and information. Thanks for looking out for your mylot family Polly.
• Philippines
24 Apr 08
oh my, that happened to me too... i received two fake e-mails from paypal...
• Japan
24 Apr 08
thanks for you sharing this fake paypal information to us.but i want to know how we do ? and how we identify the fake?
1 person likes this