The "Someone is Using Your Paypal Account" Phishing Scam
PayPal users who have received "Someone is Using Your Paypal Account" email messages like the one below, which claim their PayPal account are being used by someone without their knowledge, asked not to click on the link in the email messages. This is because the link or button in the fake email messages go to a phishing website looking similar to PayPal's website, where visitors will be asked to sign into with their PayPal account. But, any attempts to sign into the fake PayPal website will send the visitors' PayPal credentials to the cybercriminals behind the phishing scam, who will hijack the accounts and use them fraudulently.
The "Someone is Using Your Paypal Account" Phishing Scam
From: Dear Customer service-inc-2589@paypal.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2018 11:49 AM
Subject: someone is using your PayPal account
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PayPal
Log in to your PayPal account as soon as possible
Whats going on?
Were concerned that someone is using your PayPal account without your knowledge. Please log in to PayPal to confirm your identity and review all your recent activity. Your quick response will help restore your account.
Your debit or credit card issuer let us know that someone used your card without your permission. We want to make sure that you authorized any recent PayPal payments.
Login now
Forgot your email or password? Recover them here
This is why it is important that PayPal users remember never to click on a link to sign into their accounts. They should always go directly to www.paypal.com and sign-in from there instead. Once they have signed into their accounts will be notified of changes and other important updates if there is any.This will prevent them from becoming victims of phishing scams, where cyber criminals steal their credentials, hijack their accounts, steal their money, and use their accounts fraudulently.
PayPal users who have already been tricked by a phishing scam, are asked to change their passwords and contact PayPal immediately for help.
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.