Staying informed about current events can sometimes be challenging, especially when staying vigilant against the latest online scams.

Recently, the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) took to its social media channels to raise awareness about a phishing scam that attempts to deceive victims by posing as an official PayPal invoice.

An example of a current PayPal scam email. Credit: NASC.

How does this scam operate? According to NASC, individuals have been receiving emails that appear to be from 'PayPal'. These emails contain invoices indicating unpaid amounts and even provide a fraudulent phone number to call to reverse the charge.

At the bottom of the invoice, an option allows the recipient to click a link if they don't recognise the invoice and wish to report it. However, clicking on any of the links in the email can pose risks to the recipient.

The NASC provided an example of a scam email they encountered. In the displayed email, it said: 'Hello, Hello, PayPal user You've Sent $689.00 to Sainsbury's eGift Card. Call +61 860 073 601 to reverse a transfer.'

It's important to note that the phone number provided is not associated with PayPal. Additionally, the invoice attached to the email falsely indicated a payment of $689.

The NASC advises that if you receive a similar email, refrain from calling the provided phone number or clicking on any links. Their recommended action is to disregard, delete, and block the email.

PayPal warns its users that these phishing emails can be persuasive. They might appear to come from a source that seems trustworthy, like 'PayPal Service', but PayPal wants you to be cautious if something feels off.

Here are a few things to watch out for:

1. Check the sender's email address: Even if the email claims to be from PayPal, look at the email address it's coming from. Be wary if it doesn't match what you'd expect from PayPal.
2. Personalised greetings: Legitimate PayPal emails will address you by your registered first and last names or your business name. Be suspicious of emails that use generic greetings like 'Dear user'.
3. Appearance matters: Be cautious if the email contains incorrect logos, outdated design elements, or looks out of place. These could be signs that something isn't right.
4. Urgent or upsetting language: Phishing emails often try to pressure you into immediate action. Be cautious if an email demands urgent attention, asks for personal or financial information, or uses bad grammar.
5. Hover before you click: Before clicking any links in the email, hover your cursor over them. This reveals the true destination of the link. Some phishing emails might have legitimate links but lead to fraudulent websites.

If you ever receive an email that you suspect might be a phishing attempt, you can help by forwarding it to PayPal's dedicated phishing inbox: [email protected]. Staying vigilant and following these steps can help you protect yourself from potential scams.

Key Takeaways

• The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), run by the federal government, has warned Australians of a new PayPal scam involving fake invoices sent via email.
• These phishing emails contain fake invoices with unpaid amounts and a false phone number intended to bait victims into calling.
• If the email is received, the NASC advises not to click any links or call the number. The email should be ignored, deleted, and blocked.
• If suspicious, PayPal users are urged to forward the email to [email protected]. PayPal also advises users to always hover over a link before clicking on it to verify its legitimacy.

Remember, you have the power to shield yourself and your loved ones from phishing scams. Stay watchful and never dial any unfamiliar numbers, regardless of how authentic the email appears! Always prioritise your online safety.

Here at the SDC, we also provide a platform called the Scam Watch forum. This serves as a valuable resource to keep members updated on the most recent instances of scams, fraud cases, and related news.

Members, have you come across emails resembling these? How did you handle them? If you have additional insights and suggestions, we welcome you to share your thoughts in the comments section below!

 

[Da Freddo]

That's true and what I've seen scammers and the networking site rarely if at all ever leave any number.

I was inundated with telemarketers at y daughters place and she said she never picked up her house phone to answer as thats all thar ever happened.... just telemarketers.

When she was out i answered such a call and i told the person i was busy but would love to have conversation later with her about the service/product and could she please give me her private home phone number. Dead silence and so u repeated myself and then she confusedly but politely stated that was sonething she never did was give out her private phone number to anyone ... so i asked her then what right did she have in ringing me up on my private house phone number simply to try to solicit a sale from me, and as she did not a know me i found her tactics highly offensive and dishonest she to please note on her phone list of numbers to call that no one absolutely was to call me from that call centre and to not im seem my phone number to anyone and i had already redirected her call details to my legal department .. she freaked out and hung up on me. My daughter said no one rings her j house phone any more. I'm not about to own up to my tactics in resolving that nuisance factor. On another note i do understand that people are trying to earn money but that is exploiting me and are opportunists who i do not welcome.

Re directed her call details to my legal dept.
You said she never gave any????
Sorry I no Kapeesh!
In explaining yourself, it's mumbo jumbo and makes no sense.
Please re write in the Queens English

 

[rehandra]

Staying informed about current events can sometimes be challenging, especially when staying vigilant against the latest online scams.

Recently, the National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC) took to its social media channels to raise awareness about a phishing scam that attempts to deceive victims by posing as an official PayPal invoice.

View attachment 27047

An example of a current PayPal scam email. Credit: NASC.

How does this scam operate? According to NASC, individuals have been receiving emails that appear to be from 'PayPal'. These emails contain invoices indicating unpaid amounts and even provide a fraudulent phone number to call to reverse the charge.

At the bottom of the invoice, an option allows the recipient to click a link if they don't recognise the invoice and wish to report it. However, clicking on any of the links in the email can pose risks to the recipient.

The NASC provided an example of a scam email they encountered. In the displayed email, it said: 'Hello, Hello, PayPal user You've Sent $689.00 to Sainsbury's eGift Card. Call +61 860 073 601 to reverse a transfer.'

It's important to note that the phone number provided is not associated with PayPal. Additionally, the invoice attached to the email falsely indicated a payment of $689.

The NASC advises that if you receive a similar email, refrain from calling the provided phone number or clicking on any links. Their recommended action is to disregard, delete, and block the email.

PayPal warns its users that these phishing emails can be persuasive. They might appear to come from a source that seems trustworthy, like 'PayPal Service', but PayPal wants you to be cautious if something feels off.

Here are a few things to watch out for:

1. Check the sender's email address: Even if the email claims to be from PayPal, look at the email address it's coming from. Be wary if it doesn't match what you'd expect from PayPal.
2. Personalised greetings: Legitimate PayPal emails will address you by your registered first and last names or your business name. Be suspicious of emails that use generic greetings like 'Dear user'.
3. Appearance matters: Be cautious if the email contains incorrect logos, outdated design elements, or looks out of place. These could be signs that something isn't right.
4. Urgent or upsetting language: Phishing emails often try to pressure you into immediate action. Be cautious if an email demands urgent attention, asks for personal or financial information, or uses bad grammar.
5. Hover before you click: Before clicking any links in the email, hover your cursor over them. This reveals the true destination of the link. Some phishing emails might have legitimate links but lead to fraudulent websites.

If you ever receive an email that you suspect might be a phishing attempt, you can help by forwarding it to PayPal's dedicated phishing inbox: [email protected]. Staying vigilant and following these steps can help you protect yourself from potential scams.

Key Takeaways

• The National Anti-Scam Centre (NASC), run by the federal government, has warned Australians of a new PayPal scam involving fake invoices sent via email.
• These phishing emails contain fake invoices with unpaid amounts and a false phone number intended to bait victims into calling.
• If the email is received, the NASC advises not to click any links or call the number. The email should be ignored, deleted, and blocked.
• If suspicious, PayPal users are urged to forward the email to [email protected]. PayPal also advises users to always hover over a link before clicking on it to verify its legitimacy.

Remember, you have the power to shield yourself and your loved ones from phishing scams. Stay watchful and never dial any unfamiliar numbers, regardless of how authentic the email appears! Always prioritise your online safety.

Here at the SDC, we also provide a platform called the Scam Watch forum. This serves as a valuable resource to keep members updated on the most recent instances of scams, fraud cases, and related news.

Members, have you come across emails resembling these? How did you handle them? If you have additional insights and suggestions, we welcome you to share your thoughts in the comments section below!

All legit Paypal start off with using your name

 

[rehandra]

I use PayPal all the time, never had any issues with it, recently I have had these emails I don’t click on them just delete, sick of all these scams lately, even when someone rings on your phone if I don’t know the number I don’t answer and just block the number but they ring back with a different number

After registering with Call Block thankfully the calls are few and far between now.

 

[Bassia]

Hi,
I’m writing to let you know that I too have been receiving fraudulent emails from someone claiming to be from PayPal. I rang PayPal head office straight away and they asked me to send them the email to their fraud department and I also sent it to the Police department as it’s the second email that I have received with the same person’s name on it. I’ve also been getting calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft saying that my computer has issues after speaking with my computer specialist he informed me that the caller was a scammer, so I tell them you’re a scammer and hang up on them. They asked to gain access to my computer but after I was scammed out of my entire Superannuation , savings and available credit on my credit cards I now know that anyone claiming to be from any company you have an account with the best way is to phone the company and ask if they have sent you an email or have made any calls to you. Please don’t fall for the same trap that I fell into a couple of years ago and lost my entire savings my life financially hasn’t been the same since and I now only have my Aged Pension to live on. Regards Bassia

 

[rehandra]

Hi,
I’m writing to let you know that I too have been receiving fraudulent emails from someone claiming to be from PayPal. I rang PayPal head office straight away and they asked me to send them the email to their fraud department and I also sent it to the Police department as it’s the second email that I have received with the same person’s name on it. I’ve also been getting calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft saying that my computer has issues after speaking with my computer specialist he informed me that the caller was a scammer, so I tell them you’re a scammer and hang up on them. They asked to gain access to my computer but after I was scammed out of my entire Superannuation , savings and available credit on my credit cards I now know that anyone claiming to be from any company you have an account with the best way is to phone the company and ask if they have sent you an email or have made any calls to you. Please don’t fall for the same trap that I fell into a couple of years ago and lost my entire savings my life financially hasn’t been the same since and I now only have my Aged Pension to live on. Regards Bassia

Thank you for the "heads up". Yes, is best to treat each and every email, text message, phone call (unsolicited) as a scam. This is the best way and the moment anyone wants passwords, fiancial information etc...disconnect. You can always ring your bank or other financial institution directly yourself.

 

[IAN3005]

Thank you for the "heads up". Yes, is best to treat each and every email, text message, phone call (unsolicited) as a scam. This is the best way and the moment anyone wants passwords, fiancial information etc...disconnect. You can always ring your bank or other financial institution directly yourself.

I automatically delete emails where I do not recognise the sender. My junk file has to be filled with up to 900 scam emails x 4 because I have 4 email accounts.