New (to me) Ebay phising e-mail - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

mrklixx · 02-11-2006, 11:17 AM

Just thought I would post a heads up about a new (at least new to me) Ebay phishing e-mail I received.

I've received hundreds of the "you're account has been suspended" or "possible credit card fraud" phishing emails about Ebay and Paypal. Those are really obvious. But the one I got today was a bit more sly, and actually gave me pause for a half a second.

This one came disguised as a "question from a member regarding your auction" via Ebay's messaging system. The "question" was they wanted to know about the shipping costs. There are links in the e-mail to "reply" and/or "view the item" both which require you to "log in", which are of course dummy links.

This con works both ways. If you have listed items it the past, but don't currently have anything listed (like myself), then you may think that it was sent by mistake, and may "log in" to see what it is or respond to tell them of their error. And if you are currently listing items, then you might "log in" to see what item they are talking about.

There are the usual "tells" of a fake, like the links going to something other than "http://signin.ebay.com". But since it doesn't mention credit card info or account suspension it might get past some peoples radar.

Again, this particular approach happens to be new to me, so I thought I would pass it on

eribrav · 02-11-2006, 11:32 AM

I got a really good one the other day.

I was bidding on a bike frame, and I didn't win. The true owner then contacted me a day later with the "second chance" option to buy. I was still interested, and we ended up going through with the transaction.

Just a few hours later, I got another email offering me the second chance option, with a link to click through to the supposed deal. They of course would want my PayPal payment etc. Total scam. The tip off was the part about only selling it to me if I went through their special link, and not through the EBay page.
Still though, it was a pretty good fake, and had I not already been contacted by the actual seller, I could have fallen for it.

Marvelous Marv · 02-11-2006, 03:55 PM

Wait 'til you get one purportedly from the IRS.

The adrenalin from THAT one has been the downfall of a few people.

02-11-2006, 11:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
mrklixx President Rick Location: location location	New (to me) Ebay phising e-mail Just thought I would post a heads up about a new (at least new to me) Ebay phishing e-mail I received. I've received hundreds of the "you're account has been suspended" or "possible credit card fraud" phishing emails about Ebay and Paypal. Those are really obvious. But the one I got today was a bit more sly, and actually gave me pause for a half a second. This one came disguised as a "question from a member regarding your auction" via Ebay's messaging system. The "question" was they wanted to know about the shipping costs. There are links in the e-mail to "reply" and/or "view the item" both which require you to "log in", which are of course dummy links. This con works both ways. If you have listed items it the past, but don't currently have anything listed (like myself), then you may think that it was sent by mistake, and may "log in" to see what it is or respond to tell them of their error. And if you are currently listing items, then you might "log in" to see what item they are talking about. There are the usual "tells" of a fake, like the links going to something other than "http://signin.ebay.com". But since it doesn't mention credit card info or account suspension it might get past some peoples radar. Again, this particular approach happens to be new to me, so I thought I would pass it on __________________ This post is content. If you don't like it then you are not content. Or perhaps just incontinent. This is not a link - Do not click here I hate animated avatars. Last edited by mrklixx; 02-11-2006 at 11:39 AM..

02-11-2006, 03:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
Marvelous Marv Cunning Runt Location: Taking a mulligan	Wait 'til you get one purportedly from the IRS. The adrenalin from THAT one has been the downfall of a few people. __________________ "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Margaret Thatcher

02-11-2006, 11:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
eribrav Junkie Location: upstate NY	I got a really good one the other day. I was bidding on a bike frame, and I didn't win. The true owner then contacted me a day later with the "second chance" option to buy. I was still interested, and we ended up going through with the transaction. Just a few hours later, I got another email offering me the second chance option, with a link to click through to the supposed deal. They of course would want my PayPal payment etc. Total scam. The tip off was the part about only selling it to me if I went through their special link, and not through the EBay page. Still though, it was a pretty good fake, and had I not already been contacted by the actual seller, I could have fallen for it.