Paypal security update question

[Christa]

I just received a letter from Paypal, or someone claiming to be the security adviser of Paypal.

This is what is says:

Your PayPal account information needs to be updated !

We are currently performing regular maintenance for security measures. You account has been randomly selected for this maintenance, and you will be taken through a series of identification verification pages.

The information is used for verification purposes only. Your credit card will not be charged. This has to be done before February 25, or your Paypal account will be suspended.

Then it has page where I have to fill in all my personal information, name, address, bank info PLUS pin number, social security number, bank name, address, credit card number, expiration date.

The email was sent from: Security Advisor <[email protected]>

It has the Paypal Logo on it, but I smell a rat.

[barbtries]

1. it's a rat

forward it to [email protected]

[ProdigalJunkMail]

2. and smell a rat you should...

most likely a phishing scam. Call Paypal support directly if you suspect a problem may really exist. DO NOT use numbers provided in emails such as this...go directly to Paypal...

[Christa]

3. Thank you!

I forwarded it to [email protected] - the link on the letter took me to my Paypal account, or an exact replica. I went to Paypal directly and it looks exactly the same - however the amount of info they ask is just not normal. I never had to provide my SS number or Pin number.

Fact is that I logged into the account now - and logged out. I think I will immediately change my bank info, just delete it.

[wolfgangmo]

4. forward to both paypal and yahoo

Paypal will do nothing .

Yahoo will pull their account. But it is likely that the HTML tag you see as a hyperlink is not actually the email it is going to.

It aint much but it only takes a second if you have their addresses in your address book.

No reputable company will ask for this info in this manner and NEVER will they do it by email. NEVER. It isn't secure.

[Christa]

6. I just received this from Paypal

after I sent them the letter, this time from this address: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>

As a security measure, we regularly screen PayPal activity. Recently, we noticed a problem with your account.

We determined someone may have tried to access your PayPal account without your permission. For your protection, we have limited your account access. To lift this limitation, log in to your PayPal account and follow the steps in the Resolution Center.

Case ID Number: XXXXXXXXXXX

We've limited access to your account temporarily. We'll review the limitation once you respond with the information we've requested.

To respond and remove the limitation, go to the Resolution Center. If you'd like clarification on the limitation, please let us know by going to the Help Center and clicking Contact Us.

Thank you for helping to resolve this problem.

Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department

[Just-plain-Kathy]

5. K&R... This should be seen.

[ima_sinnic]

7. the yahoo address makes it obviously a scam

in addition, PayPal never asks for that kind of information, nor does any bank or other financial institution. The idea that PayPal or a bank would "suspend your account" because you didn't respond to an e-mail is ludicrous. It's called "phishing." Ironically, PayPal has a whole section devoted to phishing and how not to be a victim, in the form of a "challenge":
https://www.paypal.com/fightphishing

They also ask that phishing e-mails be forwarded to them:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/Marketing/securitycenter/antiphishing/PPPhishingReport-outside

When you forward the e-mail, open all the headers so someone might take the time to track it.

[Christa]

8. PayPal just called me on my phone

after I changed my password and security questions.

It all happened withing a few minutes, so I guess their security department is up to date.

[MiniMe]

9. Just make sure that you make any changes by going to paypal directly

DON'T use any links provided in the email.

[geckosfeet]

10. A big rat. Don't respond to these scams. If you respond or go the websites

that they link to you are asking for trouble.

[ixion]

11. yep, it's a rat

paypal, nor any other institution, will ever send you something like that. If you ever get one from your bank, ignore that as well.

[Stuart G]

12. K and R...worse than a rat..an identity thief , nt

[MichellesBFF]

15. A simple thing

PayPal never uses exclamation points in their messages when they e-mail you! Also, if you hover your pointer over the address they want you to go to, you'll see the url down in the corner of your screen. (Left corner in the case of Firefox) This will show you the real address that it wants you to go to, and I can assure you that what you're going to see is not going to be, "http://paypal.com"!

[Liberal In Texas]

13. It's a scam. Don't download it or respond to it.

Use Mailwasher to screen your email.
http://www.mailwasher.net/

[Christa]

17. Thank you

and thank you for all the replies.

I am sure I was not the only one who received such a letter though.

[Liberal In Texas]

20. I get about 2 or 3 a week.

I very rarely use Paypal, so it's obvious something is fishy.

[BlooInBloo]

14. No, you did not receive a letter from Paypal.

[TBF]

16. That's spam - report it to paypal.

Never open emails like that. Open a fresh browser, go to the site, log in and see if there are any messages for you. Take care.

[GeorgeGist]

18. Your sense of smell is correct.

[carlyhippy]

19. DON'T DO IT

you need to forward that email to [email protected] and let them know.
Carly

[KittyWampus]

21. Do NOT ever open an email from Paypal or Ebay. Rather, go to the website and check your accountr

There is no need to EVER open an email from those two entities. EVER.

[Belial]

22. little tip

As you already know by now.. Banks.. Paypal.. or ANY online financial institution.. including ANY branch of the Gov't... NEVER ask you to log into anything. I got a call from a Bank of America security person one time that wanted me to go to a special site as they were investigating my account for fraud. Right..

[TheCowsCameHome]

23. Fake - don't open it or send them anything