Date:         Fri, 17 Feb 2006 14:27:29 -0500
Reply-To:     Wil Haslup <whaslup@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Wil Haslup <whaslup@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: PayPal Scam phising/spoofs  (NVC)
In-Reply-To:  <297.5b6571d.31277243@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
> i just recieved another email from "paypal"..    these scam emails are
> realistic, this particular one actually used my full name...   i forwarded it to
> spoof@paypal.com, they do nothing about it...just send a form automated letter
> reply..saying its a spoof...who know is anyone actually there looked at it or
> not.    the tricky thing is that it looks so real, there is no way to tell if
> its real or fake..copy and pasting the link provided sent me to a official
> looking "paypal" page with official looking paypal graphics..where they were
> requesting my password, etc...   even the links on the page took you to actual
> paypal links..  it was so well done that its hard to distinguish real from fake..
> this is another reason i dont use paypal..
>
> chris

To each his own.

I've used Paypal for several years now with no problems.

To bring this back to a VW issue I'd appreciate it if the various VW
vendors would add Paypal to the options for payment at their web sites.
  It would easily add a secure payment method to those sites who don't
want to invest in a secure key and therefore don't have a secure
shopping area.

In the old days there was cybercash and a few others but none seemed to
last.  Paypal has managed to maintain itself and provides convenience
and safety to many transactions.

When receiving unsolicited mail claiming to be from Paypal it typically
reveals itself to be spoof mail if you examine the mail's headers or
inspect the actual addresses any links take you to before clicking.  It
is usually obvious.

Typically these e-mails refer to you as "Dear Paypal member" or some
other anonymous phrase and don't use your name.  If they are using your
name I suspect you may be being targeted specifically by someone.

My accounts have never been compromised and I've never responded to any
e-mail claiming to be from Paypal.  I always simply go to the secure
site and log in to check for errors or notices.

Being as large as Paypal has become it isn't surprising that they respond
to most submissions with automated or form e-mails.  In fact it is the
user's responsibility to take steps to protect their identities and
accounts.

When I hear friends say they have fears of using Paypal but complain
that so many opportunities require it I suggest the following:

open a new checking account that offers you a credit/debit card tied to
the balance and keep only a small balance in it....enough to cover your
Paypal purchases and fees but not so much that you are worried about
losing it.  Tie your Paypal account to it either by the account number
or the credit card number.  This way your bank card will decline charges
above your balance.

Of course, you're protected from fraudulent charges to any major credit
card in excess of $50 I believe.


--

Wil

Ninety eight percent of the adults in this country are decent,
hardworking, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get
all the publicity. But then, we elected them.
-- Lily Tomlin