Paypal

You protect yourself by going to the site through your bookmarked link to see if it's really asking for any information from you. You never reply to requests for private information that are sent by email, because legitimate organizations don't ask for it. If it's a PayPal phisher, report it to PayPal, including the text and the entire header so they know where it came from. Then delete it.

Yes, I have heard about it. to avoid it I go ahead and read the email but I go to the actual website that I signed up with and check their bulletins first. If the subject is not discussed than I go ahead and assume that this email is not from them and delete it or block it. Most websites will post up information pertaining to them. That's what makes a good company. They keep us informed on their actual website. The website should already have your information so for someone to ask for it again is your first clue right there. I tend to stay away from the email newsletter options because you never know when someone will come along and try to fool you. Also, if there is an extra protection plan available too you, I take it. This way if I lose some money somehow, I will get it back. I have never been a fan of online banking either. At the most I use it to check my account in an emergency situation. Usually I will use a 24-hour service number. It takes a lot for me to get online to do business and even then I make sure I am protected.

Yes I have been a member of paypal for years and I get at least 1 or 2 of these emails a month. I always log into my paypal, copy the email and paste it to an email to paypal. Or you can forward the email directly to their fraud department. Never give anyone information about your account at paypal, they will never ask you to do that either.

spoof@paypal.com Forward any email that you get to the above address. They will investigate it and even tell you whether they sent it or if it is false. Good luck and never respond to the emails with any information! Better safe that really sorry.

that's really serious. someone could get in a lot of financial trouble with this. I just wouldn't do anything through an email or answer anything from paypal unless it's on your account on the paypal homepage. this hasn't happened to me either. that's why i don't like online banking or anything like that. people aren't stupid. they know how to screw someone up if they want it bad enough. i also don't know anyone that has had this experience and i hope i don't meet anyone that has had the problem. that is a horrible misfortune for someone and is really wrong. just make sure to only access this stuff through the paypal website. good luck to you and all that use paypal or online banking

I have heard of scams similar to this and the number one piece of advice that is given is usually this: Any banking institution, internet or otherwise, will NOT ask you for your financial information or pin number or password. They already have that information in their records. If you ever do get an email or a phone call claiming to be a bank or Paypal that asks you for your personal information, NEVER ever give it out. Always go to the official website or call their customer service number listed in the phone book or on your bank card and statements. Never respond to an email or phone call from someone claiming to be Paypal or a bank. When the real banks or Paypal send you an email, they ask you not to reply to the sender, but to go directly to their website, or call their customer service line. It is to insure that these very kinds of fraud do NOT happen.

This sort of things have been going on for years. Never give out personal infomation to an email that requests it. If you think it is legitimate, like from your bank, contact them first. Find out if they really sent it to you. I get emails from paypal all the time and I just ignore them. I don't even open them. If I need to know something, I will go directly to the website.