Tech Talk
Don’t Be Fooled By E-mail Scams
If you received the following message in your e-mail inbox, would you suspect it might be a fraud?
Dear [e-mail address],
We recently reviewed your account and suspect that your PayPal account may have been accessed by an unauthorized third party. Protecting the security of your account and of the PayPal network is our primary concern.
Therefore, as a preventative measure, we have temporarily limited access to sensitive PayPal account features.
Click below in order to regain access to your account: [Web address].
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your assistance in helping us maintain the integrity of the entire PayPal system. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
The PayPal Team
Be skeptical -- always
The tip-off that this message is a fake is that it is addressed “Dear” plus the recipient’s e-mail address.
The user who received this e-mail uses the PayPal service to pay for purchases made on e-Bay. She found it suspicious that the e-mail wasn’t addressed using her first and last names.
So, she opened a new Web browser and typed PayPal’s Web address. There, she read:
Recently PayPal members have reported suspicious-looking emails and fake websites. These fraudulent emails may address you with the salutation “Dear PayPal User” or “Dear PayPal Member.”
These emails are not from PayPal. PayPal will only address you by your first and last name or the business name associated with the account.
What would you have done?
If you would have clicked the link in the e-mail, you have a thing or two to learn. As your Internet service provider, West Florida Electric Cooperative takes steps to ensure you have a safe experience online. But you must do your part by being a bit of a skeptic and becoming aware of Internet fraud. After all, WFEC.NET features spam filtering – not scam filtering. You’re responsible for your online safety, although WFEC is here to help.
Get up-to-speed and surf safely
Start protecting yourself by using these online resources:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Fraud Complaint Center
If you dial into the Internet, read the FTC’s guide Dialing Up to the Internet: How to Stay Safe Online.
The National Consumer League’s Internet Fraud Tips
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Consumer Information site has a wealth of information about online payments, chain e-mails and other safe surfing topics.
If you connect using a broadband or high-speed connection, read Safe at Any Speed.
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