New Phishing E-mail Scam on PayPal Customers

Another round of phishing e-mails has rocked PayPal, an online payment firm run by Internet auction giant eBay. Here, the email is crafted to fox the users of PayPal to divulge their login credentials.

The e-mail, claiming to be coming from PayPal, says that the company has added an extra layer of protection to its servers with the latest PayPal Security Token Key.

It further says that to activate Security Token Key of PayPal for their account, the users must follow the given instructions. Then they are asked to click on a link to activate Token authentication. However, if a user clicks on that link, he/she is redirected to a website that looks like PayPal.

To appear authentic and genuine, the e-mail reads that if the user decides to leave the activation process of PayPal Token, the company will stop refunding illegal transfer of money from his account.

Also, the e-mail ends with a thanks note from the PayPal Account Security Department.

Experts commented that for a long period of time, the company has over and again been among phishing attacks' top target. phishing attacks are Internet scams where e-mails are used to entice users into divulging their login details in phishing or look-alike websites.

Users must follow customer tips recommended by PayPal on its authorized website to avoid being victimized by phishing emails sent by scammers. Firstly, never click on links provided in the e-mails asking financial or personal details. A user can also contact PayPal by using a genuine phone number, or can even open up a new browser and then type in the URL of PayPal.

Apart from this, set a secure password. This password must have a combination of numbers, letters, and symbols. Also, the password for PayPal and other services likes eBay, AOL, Yahoo, or MSN must be distinct. This is because keeping the same password everywhere increases the possibility of it being learnt by someone and then using it to access the accounts.

To conclude, a user shall never use his own PayPal account to transfer or collect money for anyone else. Often such activities are performed as types of e-mail fraud or money laundering and might lead to significant criminal penalties. Simply refuse if someone asks to transfer money from your account on his behalf, and immediately contact PayPal.

Related article: New Zealand Releases Code To Reduce Spam

» SPAMfighter News - 4/27/2010