How Verify a PayPal Scam
PayPal is an online banking entity used by business owners and individuals who shop online at places such as eBay. PayPal also allows users to send and receive payments online. However, there are dishonest people who try to obtain PayPal user information via phony emails and phone calls. To better secure your account from fraudulent attempts to acquire secure information, you need to know how to detect PayPal scams to protect your personal information on the Internet.
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Instructions
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Open the assumed PayPal email in your "in box" and focus your attention on the greeting to see if you are greeted by your first and last name or business name that is connected to PayPal. If not, the email is fraudulent. Fraudulent PayPal senders usually greet you by "Dear PayPal Member" or "Dear PayPal User."
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Read email content for specific wording in the body to detect phishing attempts. If the email contains phrases and links that urge you to verify your account, this is a sign that the PayPal email is fraudulent.
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Forward the email to "spoof@paypal.com" to report the email to PayPal, but do not change the subject line. Also, do not send the message as an attachment. After you have sent the suspicious email to PayPal, delete it from your email account.
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Verify a legitimate PayPal customer service representative by listening for keywords and phrases that the PayPal representative says to you over the phone. If she asks for your social security number, for a money transfer or asks for your PayPal account password, hang up and contact PayPal immediately. If you gave your password to the unknown person on the phone, change your password immediately.
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Go to PayPal's "Security Tips and Fraud Prevention" website to report a fraudulent customer service representative (see Resources). Click the hyperlink "Contact Us" under "Password Safety" or "Use Your Account Wisely" title. Log into your account. Under "Ask Your Question," click "Report Fraud/Prohibit Use" and then "High Risk Business/Prohibited Use Questions." Scroll down to "Summarize Your Question In One Sentence" and write a brief description about your conversation with the fraudulent representative.
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References
Resources
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