Nearly scammed

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

Last month I got a new Samsung S7 to replace my S5 neo and it took ages to setup because the data part of the USB port on the S5 is broken and I couldn’t transfer my settings fully any other way. I setup finger print security at the same time as novelty.

Two days ago the phone went flat for the first time since I got it and then it demanded a pin code before it would switch on. I do not remember setting a pin when I set up finger print security but if I did it would have been the same as on my old phone like everyting else. The phone was having none of it though and after a trip to an O2 shop I ended up with a factory reset and an empty phone again !

Here is the scam part.

When I was nearly finished setting up for the second time I got an email from PayPal saying they had revieved a logon attempt from an unrecognised device and could I confirm a few details. Normally alarm bells would ring but this time I thought nothing of it because I had had similar mails from Samsung, Hotmail, Google etc earlier.

Wrong it was a SCAM

I got 3 pages in to a 4 part form and had entred my PayPay account details, home address and bank account with sort code before I smelled a rat due to doddgy spelling.

I really want to know if the timing of this scam was just unlucky or did they know ?

[Bob Williams]

” I really want to know if the timing of this scam was just unlucky or did they know ? ”

I don’t think you will ever find out which, WoF, but you should forward the email to    spoof@paypal.co.uk    and they will take action. At one time I was receiving loads of these scams purporting to be from paypal, I forwarded each one to that address and received a thank you each time, not had a Paypal scam for ages. Two of the emails I forwarded were genuine, but did not ask for any details: Paypal told me that they were unbothered by this, at least I was keeping security in mind. Paypal will tell you that they will never request any financial, personal or ID details in any email they send.

https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/phishing

Check it out on their website above.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Jukebox]

It’s worth remembering that genuine Paypal emails will always address you by name eg Dear Jo Bloggs. Scams usually start with Dear Paypal User, Dear Customer, etc.

[Bob Williams]

Jukebox wrote:

It’s worth remembering that genuine Paypal emails will always address you by name eg Dear Jo Bloggs. Scams usually start with Dear Paypal User, Dear Customer, etc.

Good point Jukebox, I should have included that.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

I was flustersd at the time ?

The email had all the correct logo’s and even paypal’s correct address at the bottom.

Looking back at the email one doddgy thing is that it started “Dear Dearsley” not “Dear Mr Dearsley” or “Dear Graham”.

I forwarded the email to paypal at their “spoof” address two days ago because they asked me to and got a nice letter back telling me how to not be so stupid in future ???

[Bob Williams]

Result!?

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Author]

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