Paypal verifing details - spam or not?

Eager_Elephant

A friend of mine at work had a problem at the weekend when he tried to log into Paypal - he has not used the account for over 6 months and had forgotten the password.

Anyway he tried a few times but could not recall the password and eventually it logged him out.

He then receives an e-mail from Paypal to say that his account has been frozen (or words to that effect) and to follow the link to activate his account again, when he follows the link it links him to the Paypal site and it then lists items that he must fax to Paypal to reactivate his account.

These items include utility bills and photograph.

I've told him that it's a spam as how will Paypal know from his photo that it's really him. My idea was that anyone who had his photograph and address could create fake ID to take out credit in his name.

I have to say as with all spam the link to the website does look genuine - but don't they all.

Or am I being paranoid and this is actually how Paypal do it?

Thanks for your time

slowen

I would think it would be a genuine email as if he has locked his acount by enterering his details through the "real" paypal site then they should contact you to see if it is really you that holds the account.

You can always forward the email to spoof@paypal.com and they will tell you if the email is genuine or not.

MarkyMarkD

Good advice slowen - they respond very quickly (same hour often) to such mails and state clearly whether they are spoof or not.

Newbird

Did the message from Paypal include your user name? the spoofs usually say, dear user, or some such. In the circumstances, it sounds right tho. I know that eBay will ask for the items you emntion to re-instate accounts, so as they now own PayPal it is probably policy for PP too. Check with Paypal before you fill in anything tho.

cookiemonster25

photographs seems a little odd to me????

spottydog

cookiemonster25 wrote:

photographs seems a little odd to me????

Standard requirements for money accounts are 1 form of photo ID (passport or driving licence) plus 1 copy of utility bill (not mobile phone) or bank statement within the last 3 months. This is to meet the money laundering requirements.

All the emails I have received from Paypal start Dear Firstname Lastname. If the email is in this form I would say it's probably genuine. If you are still unconvinced whether it is genuine why not forward it to Paypal to confirm before clicking on anything.

Hintza

What has happened here is that as with all money type accounts (inc banks etc) too many failed attempts to login will be detected as a hacking attempt. Your friend should just follow what PayPal wants and get it soprted out.


The rest of us should just be grateful that PayPal have this in place.