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Phishing Scam Targets PayPal Users

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

June 19, 2006
With all the recent disclosures of stolen data, consumers are not exactly surprised when they are told that their identity has been stolen. A clever scammer is counting on that heightened sense of awareness with an email scam targeted at PayPal account holders.

The email looks official. It bears the PayPal logo and appears to be a routine communication from the online transaction broker. It informs the recipient that their credit card is being billed for $219 for the purchase of a cell phone.

Adding to the air of authenticity is the name and address of the individual who is allegedly receiving the mobile phone. The scammer is counting on the recipient to react with alarm, since they did not order the cell phone and it is not their name and address listed as the recipient. They’re logical conclusion is the charge is unauthorized.

At the bottom of the email the scammer has thoughtfully included, in bold print, “If you haven't authorized this charge, click the link below to cancel the payment and get a full refund.”

Consumers who click on the link are taken to a site, made to look like a PayPal secure site, where they are told to enter their user name and password. Those who do have that information stolen -- and soon have very real unauthorized charges to deal with.

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