A common scam targeting PayPal customers revolves around an email that claims an erroneous charge was made to the recipient's account. For example, one such email claims:
To check your PayPal account safely, visit the PayPal site by opening your web browser and typing in the link (www.paypal.com) - not by clicking a link in an email. Once on the real PayPal site, you can then login normally and click the "History" tab to view any transactions made on your account. If you do find a fraudulent charge, you can report it to PayPal by clicking on the "Resolutions Dispute" tab and filing a claim.
Dear Customer,The email then instructs the recipient that "If you haven't authorized this charge, click the link below to cancel the payment and get a full refund." But the link only seems to point to the real PayPal site. The href target is actually a miscreant website setup to look like PayPal - and any login information entered on that site will be captured and sent to criminals who will then use it for illicit purposes.
This email confirms that you have paid PHONEDEPOTUSA
(sales@phonedepotusa.com) $239.95 USD using PayPal.
This credit card transaction will appear on your bill as
"PAYPAL PHONEDEPOT*".
To check your PayPal account safely, visit the PayPal site by opening your web browser and typing in the link (www.paypal.com) - not by clicking a link in an email. Once on the real PayPal site, you can then login normally and click the "History" tab to view any transactions made on your account. If you do find a fraudulent charge, you can report it to PayPal by clicking on the "Resolutions Dispute" tab and filing a claim.
The PayPal phishing scam is alive and well. It is very similar to the scam described, except the email says to “click here to dispute the charge”. The scam is obvious because my name and correct address are not shown in the email. I did not click on the link in case it is a virus. but I can forward the email to anyone interested.
I’ve just received the same scam e-mail, and will just trash it. Just wanted to let everyone know this scam is still alive and well more than a year later. But DON’T think it’s any help to ever engage Paypal’s “Resolutions Dispute” process — Paypal stinks, and I will keep saying it, ever since they burned me badly in “resolving” a dispute in which they locked my account, debited what they liked as well from the account (eg. “fee for other party’s credit card company”) and then decided against me in what was an out and out scam by the other party. Reminder: Paypal will NEVER side with the seller! The buyer is always the “victim”, says Paypal.