Paypal Email

[dingbat]

Received an email from Paypal today talking about a new feature where you can double lock your Paypal account.

The email starts..
As your PayPal account has been taken over before, you know how painful it can be.

Well, according to my knowledge my account has never been taken over. So either it was at some time and Paypal quickly corrected it without me knowing or this is so common that Paypal is sending these out to everyone regardless.

[beadell]

Does it also ask you to "log in here" to see these new features....or words to that effect.

More than likely a scam....what does the address look like when you hover over any of the links

[OldWelshGuy]

It is probably phishing. NEVER click on a link to ANWHERE where you have to log on. Simply go to the site in the email via the browser, look around, check messages etc, then if you must, contact them directly from the site.

[dingbat]

No, it's not a phishing attempt. It has my name on it and the link also has a paypal.com web address.
Phishing attempts I can normally spot a mile away. :)

[OldWelshGuy]

Sorry, I didn't mean to patronise you :( it is just that so many people get nailed by this sort of thing :).

[deniser]

I got an email from Paypal today but completely different to yours so it hasn't been sent to everyone.

Mine contains offers from Paypal e commerce partners.

[ServersandSpares]

Have you tried going to the paypal site and see what information it gives you there about the services? If it is something nw it is usually listed and easy to find, such as having to use a PIN if you call up etc?

Don't go via the link in the email. My paypal emails normally come from this address paypal@email.paypal.co.uk

Julie

[dingbat]

No, the addresses and everything are fine. But it obviously wasn't sent to everyone.

The new feature is an SMS system where a code is sent to your mobile which you then enter to validate any transaction. One of my bank acounts abroad already use this system.

Another point, recently I had a buyer who put in a claim against me saying goods had not turned up. My paypal account had hardly any money in it at the time. After someone deposited more money it suddenly dissapeared. This was obviously Paypal just trying to grab what they can just in case I do a runner and they find in favour of the buyer. But nothing is ever shown on the overview. And this is an account that has over a grand go in it per week which I've held with Paypal for quite a few years. Yet, they think I'm gonna do a runner over a £130 transaction. It's just so unprofessional.

[cycloneuk]

I have the PayPal security device, similar to my HSBC one that generates a six digit code to enter along with my login details, think they cost about £3 each.

[Julian]

Received an email from Paypal today talking about a new feature where you can double lock your Paypal account.

The email starts..
As your PayPal account has been taken over before, you know how painful it can be.

Well, according to my knowledge my account has never been taken over. So either it was at some time and Paypal quickly corrected it without me knowing or this is so common that Paypal is sending these out to everyone regardless.
Yup. I got the same email and was suspicious for exactly the same reason as you, i.e. the sentence above that you put in italics. I immediately did a "view original" in my email (GMail) client so that I could look at exactly what links were embedded in the program.

Unfortunately it is really easy in an html email to put in a "click here" link to myevilsite.net but to set it up so that when you hover your mouse over the link it says that the link is actually to paypal.co.uk. The only way to be sure is to view the original text source for the email. Just to be doubly sure I still never click on a link in an email like this, even if I have gone through the source. If it's a site I care about then I'll have it bookmarked already.

It's a clever idea though, SMSing a temporary random 6 digit code to your mobile. I really like the concept, it saves carrying a physical widget about with you and means that if you really do unexpectedly need to do something from an internet cafe half way around the world then, as long as you have your phone with you, you can do it with reasonable security.

- Julian

[Page]

I have the PayPal security device, similar to my HSBC one that generates a six digit code to enter along with my login details, think they cost about £3 each.

Are these now available for use in the UK?

I know they have them in the USA