Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

macfantn · Jun 4, 2006, 07:02 PM

I got an email from service@paypal.com

this is what it said...I did unlock it from their site. everything looks okay. I haven't even used my paypal account since last year. how would someone hack into it?

We regret to inform you that this account has been locked.
To unlock your account please follow the link below and complete all the steps.

https://www.paypal.com/review-account

Please Note:
If your account informations are not updated within the next 72 hours, then we will assume this account is fraudulent and your account will be deleted.

Message 2023

Problem Description:

Suspicious account behavior possible account theft

PayPal Corp.
PayPal Account Review Department

PurpleGiant · Jun 4, 2006, 07:05 PM

It's a scam. The link you were taken to would not have been the above, just appeared like it before you clicked. PayPal never asks you in an email to confirm your personal info.

If you gave them any information at all, I'm not sure what the best thing to do is. Cancel your credit card, for a start.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Jun 4, 2006, 07:06 PM

Are you new to the internet?

macfantn · Jun 4, 2006, 07:16 PM

i did give them some info which was idiotic on my part, I don't know what I was thinking. Probably was the lack of sleep and spending all night gambling in a Casino. I just called to cancel my card to be on the safe side.

rickey939 · Jun 4, 2006, 07:17 PM

D'oh!

macfantn · Jun 4, 2006, 07:19 PM

the thing that through me off is how did they get my .mac email? I NEVER give this out to anyone outside of close friends and family. I use my yahoo account for everything else.

Mithras · Jun 4, 2006, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by macfantn

the thing that through me off is how did they get my .mac email? I NEVER give this out to anyone outside of close friends and family. I use my yahoo account for everything else.

One of your close friends or family got a virus. That virus mailed off their addressbook to a bunch of people, and eventually your address was found; or, the virus mailed their addressbook directly to a spammer/scammer.

macfantn · Jun 4, 2006, 07:27 PM

makes sense I don't wtf I was thinking...

I canceled my debit card right away so no big deal. I just have to wait 5 - 7 days for a new one.

Mister Elf · Jun 4, 2006, 07:32 PM

Next time, you may want to consider being awake before giving out personal info...

Also, read Paypal's fine print, and notice that they won't send you emails like that one.

euchomai · Jun 4, 2006, 07:40 PM

You need to more than just cancel your debit card, you need to do some serious damage control to your paypal account. The thieves can try to use your account now to run amuck at ebay, you know, The World's Fraud Superstore.

Scifience · 07:55 PM

Your Internet License should be revoked for falling for this scam.

If you filled out the form, though, you can now consider yourself a victim of identity theft and act accordingly.

Check the FCC's website for some tips.

Edit: FTC, not FCC. Duh. Those three letter acronym federal agencies get confusing.

macfantn · Jun 4, 2006, 07:46 PM

anything else I need to do besides cancel my debit card? should I contact paypal?

euchomai · Jun 4, 2006, 07:49 PM

Lifted from the FTC website.

If you think your identity has been stolen, here's what to do:

1. Contact the fraud departments of any one of the three consumer reporting companies to place a fraud alert on your credit report. The fraud alert tells creditors to contact you before opening any new accounts or making any changes to your existing accounts. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two, which will place an alert on their versions of your report, too. Once you place the fraud alert in your file, you're entitled to order free copies of your credit reports, and, if you ask, only the last four digits of your Social Security number will appear on your credit reports.

2. Close the accounts that you know or believe have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Use the ID Theft Affidavit (PDF, 56 KB) when disputing new unauthorized accounts.

3. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Get a copy of the report or at the very least, the number of the report, to submit to your creditors and others that may require proof of the crime.

4. File your complaint with the FTC. The FTC maintains a database of identity theft cases used by law enforcement agencies for investigations. Filing a complaint also helps us learn more about identity theft and the problems victims are having so that we can better assist you.

View or print an easy-to-follow brochure on how to Deter, Detect, and Defend against identity theft. For more in-depth information on recovering from identity theft and help with specific problems, read Take Charge: Fighting Back Against Identity Theft.

CharlesS · Jun 4, 2006, 08:18 PM

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail12.html

macfantn · Jun 4, 2006, 08:26 PM

my bank account that pay pal has on file has been canceled since jan. I haven't used my paypal account since oct. My credit card and debit card have now been canceled, they didn't have my ssn on the account. so basically i am safe right?

PurpleGiant · Jun 4, 2006, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail12.html

Scifience · Jun 4, 2006, 09:28 PM

Originally Posted by macfantn

my bank account that pay pal has on file has been canceled since jan. I haven't used my paypal account since oct. My credit card and debit card have now been canceled, they didn't have my ssn on the account. so basically i am safe right?

Make sure you change the password on your PayPal account, or you could find yourself involved in a fraud investigation.

Did the "verification" site ask for your SSN?

macfantn · Jun 5, 2006, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by Scifience

Make sure you change the password on your PayPal account, or you could find yourself involved in a fraud investigation.

Did the "verification" site ask for your SSN?

No they didn't, and that's one thing I wouldn't enter. I can always cancel my atm cards, but not my ssn.

andi*pandi · Jun 5, 2006, 07:42 AM

let paypal know ASAP. It's possible the scammers have already gone in and changed your password so YOU can't get in. Or perhaps they're still laying on the floor in shock someone fell for their scheme.

good luck.

macfantn · Jun 5, 2006, 10:37 AM

funny thing is I changed banks in January of this year, paypal has my old bank info (debit/checking account #s). They will not let me change my password online until I can verify this info, which I cannot since I no longer have those accounts and have no record of the account #s.

I could change it through my phone if it was a home phone not a mobile, so that is no go. I am having to change it through snail mail. My account is on lockdown now so no one can use it which is good.

eltrut · Jun 5, 2006, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by macfantn

No they didn't, and that's one thing I wouldn't enter.

Sure about that ?

BLAZE_MkIV · Jun 5, 2006, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by macfantn

funny thing is I changed banks in January of this year, paypal has my old bank info (debit/checking account #s). They will not let me change my password online until I can verify this info, which I cannot since I no longer have those accounts and have no record of the account #s.

I thought you were supposed to hang onto this info for seven years for tax purposes.

Mastrap · Jun 5, 2006, 12:51 PM

Only if you're a business.

schamae · Jun 5, 2006, 01:13 PM

phish'd.

you fail at the internet.

macfantn · Jun 5, 2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by macfantn
No they didn't, and that's one thing I wouldn't enter.

Sure about that ?

Paypal doesn't have my ssn, i'm sure about that, and the info isn't anywhere on my ibook. the only info paypal had was my current debit card and a canceled checking account besides my address and a canceled home phone number.