Page Progressive News: Paypal Scams (aka Phishing) and Identity Theft

I'm sure you've gotten emails that look like they are from someone they aren't. Many scammers send out mail posing to be from a bank. Paypal is notoriously spoofed. The basic rule of thumb to identify these spoofs is if the email starts with "Dear Paypal User." Paypal emails will always be addressed to your real name. Don't be fooled by links that look like http://www.paypal.com in the emails. It might look legit, but often the link really takes you to a site that looks just like Paypal's site, but instead collects your Paypal account info so they can later rob your account.

If you get one of these emails, posing to be from Paypal, but obviously are not, forward it to spoof@paypal.com and they will track down the scammer.

Here's some tips from Paypal on how to handle other Paypal Scams:

Please follow the instructions below to report an unauthorized transaction associated with your PayPal account:

If you are able to log into your PayPal account:

1. Log in to your account at https://www.paypal.com
2. Select the "Resolution Center" subtab.
3. Click "Open a dispute."
4. Select "Unauthorized transaction," then click "Continue."
5. Enter or select the transaction ID for the transaction you would like to dispute, then click "Continue."
6. Complete the report for Unauthorized Use on a PayPal Account, then click "Continue."
7. Confirm that the claim is correct, then click "Submit."

If you cannot log in to your account, follow the instructions below to report an unauthorized transaction associated with your PayPal account:

1. Go to https://www.paypal.com/
2. Click on the "Security Center" link located at the bottom of any page.
3. Under the "Report a Problem" column, click on "Unauthorized Transaction."
4. Click "Continue" under "Unable to log in?"
5. Confirm that the transaction in question is unauthorized then click "Continue."
6. Complete the report for Unauthorized Use on a PayPal Account, then click "Preview."
7. Confirm that the claim is correct, then click "Submit."
8. Confirm your account ownership by entering the financial information requested, then click "Continue."

Lastly, we recommend taking a few steps to protect yourself from identity theft:

1. Download the SafetyBar, a toolbar for Outlook and Outlook Express, which identifies known spoof emails.
2. Get eBay Toolbar with Account Guard which warns you when you're on a potentially fraudulent (spoof) Web site.
3. Sign up for Equifax Credit Alerts for PayPal Users, a program that provides an early warning detection system in the event of identity theft. Find out more by visiting the PayPal Identity Protection Center at www.paypal.com/idprotection.
4. Frequently monitor your PayPal account for suspicious activity.