New email SCAM using fake PayPal website
With a current email scam targeting PayPal customers Queensland police are warning people to be cautious if they receive an unsolicited email reportedly from the company.
The email scam informs recipients that ‘Your PayPal account has been limited’ (see below image).
This is designed to look like an admin email from PayPal, but is completely fake.
The hoax message tries to make the victims believe that their account has been ‘temporarily limited’ and that they need to log in to fix the problem.
Once the victim has entered their login details, the scam website directs you to a page where you are asked to ‘update’ your personal information, including full name, DOB, address and phone number.
When you have entered your personal details the fake site asks for your credit card information, including the credit limit amount.
Once these criminals have obtained enough information to steal your identity and credit card information, you are then directed to the genuine PayPal website.
- Do NOT click on any links or open attachments from emails claiming to be from a trusted organisation, asking you to update or verify your details – just DELETE
- Do an internet search using the names or exact wording of the email or message to check for any references to a scam – many scams can be identified this way.
- Before you click on a link, hover over the link to see the actual web address it will take you to. If you do not recognize or trust the address, try searching for relevant key terms in a web browser.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
