New 'PayPal' email scam targets Aussies: Is your account safe?
- Replies 16
There's one thing we can all agree on: scams are a cruel reality of our online lives. Every day, they evolve and become increasingly difficult to spot, especially when they take the form of emails purporting to be genuine.
Unfortunately, this is the situation many have recently found themselves in, with scam artists now targeting PayPal, a trusted payment platform for many Aussies.
These fraudsters are sending emails that appear to be from PayPal's payment notification service.
The fake receipts contain detailed instructions for how to complete the payment, as well as a phone number that unsuspecting victims are told to call if they believe the charges are incorrect.
However, on closer inspection, these emails are actually phishing attempts by cybercriminals, and the phone number leads to a different kind of scam.
Rather than connecting the would-be victim to a PayPal representative, the number connects them to a criminal seeking to acquire personal details and credit card information to 'reverse' the nonexistent transaction.
There's even an extra layer of irony to this: the emails purport to be for a subscription to Norton 360 Deluxe, which provides users with all the added protection they need from cybercriminal activity.
Mark Gorrie, APAC Managing Director for Norton, told a news source that its cybersecurity platforms block around 300,000 fraudulent emails and text messages daily in Australia.
He also noted that brands like Norton and PayPal are often targeted due to their recognisable status.
'These are common brands that people know and trust,' he said.
Mr Gorrie advised that you should avoid using the contact details provided if you receive an unsolicited email or text. Instead, take the time to independently find the company's contact information and contact them directly if you have questions about a message or transaction.
Member @Cheb is among those who received a similar-looking phishing email from 'PayPal'. In a post on the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website, she wrote: 'I received an email from PayPal saying that my payment for a NORTON Deluxe package had been received and if I didn't authorise this charge, I had 24 hours to cancel and get a refund.'
'Of course, this was a scan because I have never had a PayPal account or ever used NORTON.'
To make matters worse, she received the same email again a few days later, with the only difference being the 'payment date'.
'I am guessing that I will receive more of the same. Eventually, they may get the hint and stop sending them,' she said. Fortunately, she refrained from clicking on any links in the email, as doing so might have led to harmful malware inadvertently being downloaded onto her device.
We should all be extra cautious about emails that request personal information or payment details.
It's a good practice to protect your online accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication and regularly review your account statements for unauthorised activities.
And if you receive any similar scam emails or text messages, please don't hesitate to post and share them on the Scam Watch forum, just as member @Cheb did. This way, you can help other members stay safe and remain vigilant against any fraudulent activities that may be circulating.
We hope that you continue to stay safe online, members!
Unfortunately, this is the situation many have recently found themselves in, with scam artists now targeting PayPal, a trusted payment platform for many Aussies.
These fraudsters are sending emails that appear to be from PayPal's payment notification service.
The fake receipts contain detailed instructions for how to complete the payment, as well as a phone number that unsuspecting victims are told to call if they believe the charges are incorrect.
However, on closer inspection, these emails are actually phishing attempts by cybercriminals, and the phone number leads to a different kind of scam.
Rather than connecting the would-be victim to a PayPal representative, the number connects them to a criminal seeking to acquire personal details and credit card information to 'reverse' the nonexistent transaction.
There's even an extra layer of irony to this: the emails purport to be for a subscription to Norton 360 Deluxe, which provides users with all the added protection they need from cybercriminal activity.
Mark Gorrie, APAC Managing Director for Norton, told a news source that its cybersecurity platforms block around 300,000 fraudulent emails and text messages daily in Australia.
He also noted that brands like Norton and PayPal are often targeted due to their recognisable status.
'These are common brands that people know and trust,' he said.
Mr Gorrie advised that you should avoid using the contact details provided if you receive an unsolicited email or text. Instead, take the time to independently find the company's contact information and contact them directly if you have questions about a message or transaction.
Member @Cheb is among those who received a similar-looking phishing email from 'PayPal'. In a post on the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website, she wrote: 'I received an email from PayPal saying that my payment for a NORTON Deluxe package had been received and if I didn't authorise this charge, I had 24 hours to cancel and get a refund.'
'Of course, this was a scan because I have never had a PayPal account or ever used NORTON.'
To make matters worse, she received the same email again a few days later, with the only difference being the 'payment date'.
'I am guessing that I will receive more of the same. Eventually, they may get the hint and stop sending them,' she said. Fortunately, she refrained from clicking on any links in the email, as doing so might have led to harmful malware inadvertently being downloaded onto her device.
Key Takeaways
- Australians have been warned about a new phishing scam imitating a legitimate email from PayPal.
- The scam involves victims receiving a fake payment receipt for a Norton 360 Deluxe subscription, which includes a phone number for customer support.
- However, the phone number connects the victim to a cybercriminal who asks for personal and credit card information.
- Norton's APAC Managing Director, Mark Gorrie, advised people never to use the contact details provided in unsolicited emails or texts and instead directly contact the company to verify any suspicious transactions.
We should all be extra cautious about emails that request personal information or payment details.
It's a good practice to protect your online accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication and regularly review your account statements for unauthorised activities.
And if you receive any similar scam emails or text messages, please don't hesitate to post and share them on the Scam Watch forum, just as member @Cheb did. This way, you can help other members stay safe and remain vigilant against any fraudulent activities that may be circulating.
We hope that you continue to stay safe online, members!