How can I tell if an email from PayPal is legit?

1. 89

   Faith Reaperposted 9 years ago

   How can I tell if an email from PayPal is legit?
   
   I just received an email from PayPal saying my card is about to expire.  Please excuse my ignorance on the topic.  Well, I never had a card to begin with and always wondered how did people pay for things using PayPal without a card or number.  Can one's card expire or account expire like other cars, I pressume?  How do I make sure I am dealing with the real PayPal?  Thanks for the clarification.
   
   

   replyreport
2. 61

   fpherj48posted 9 years ago

   Oh CAUTION, Theresa!!   You are very wise to check this out!  To my knowledge, a PayPal card does not expire.  If it does, just like any other card, they would send you a NEW card via the mail, that you would then have to authorize....etc.
   Best way to check out this email would be to call the OFFICIAL phone number for PayPal   (866) 888-6080  Customer Service.
   If you don't have a card...then I'm assuming you don't have an account?  Do you receive your HP earnings by check?  Whatever you do, don't simply send any info via this email!   Good luck investigating.

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Oh, thank you so much, Paula!  I do have a PayPal account with HP and have received earnings that I just transfer to my bank account because I never received a card to my knowledge.  I will take your great advice here for sure!  I appreciate you.

      replyreport
3. 82

   sallybeaposted 9 years ago

   Pay Pal will always address you by your first and last name or the business name on your PayPal account.

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Oh really ...good to know Sally thank you!

      replyreport
4. 76

   TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years ago

   This is a scam.  Do not respond to it.  Do, however, send a copy of the email to PayPal so that they can investigate it.  spoof@paypal.com.  You may also want to change your password.  If it is the same one you use on Ebay, change that one also.  Paypal and Ebay are separating, but this has not happened yet, so play it safe.

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, I am glad I asked this question! I thought there is something strange about it. I will certainly do as you suggest. I appreciate you.

      replyreport
5. 75

   Amanda108posted 9 years ago

   Paula's advice to call the official number is the most foolproof plan. This email you've received is most definitely a SCAM! I suppose it's possible it's a glitch (as in they accidentally sent out this email), but even then you don't need to reply.
   
   I'm sure there are identifying factors that only a real Paypal email would have, but I tend not to trust even those. A good con artist will learn those tricks and incorporate them.
   
   Whenever I receive a "Paypal" email that seems off I google the subject of the email and typically come up with results from other people asking about said email - almost always to be told it's a scam, mark it as spam, and do not reply.
   
   Another easy safety trick is to simply never click any links from within a Paypal (or any sensitive website, for that matter) email. The real Paypal warns that it's possible for scammers to set up a site that will look just like the legit thing when you follow the link, only to then gain your real log-in information when you proceed to type in your identity and password.
   
   Furthermore if there is a problem with any aspect of your account, going to the site (again, not through the email's link) and logging in should show you what you need. Generally an issue needing address will be written (possibly in red) at the top of the screen in your account main page.
   
   Hope this helps!

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Amanda, it most definitely helps a great deal! Thank you for taking the time to respond in detail. I try to be careful of any suspicious email I receive to not click on it.

      replyreport
6. 81

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   yeah a scam. I never received any email from paypal. They will always call me first before send me an email. Yes, they address you by first and last name, verify your personal infor too

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi peachy, yes, but you have to watch those calls too, as the scammers can fool you real quick like with the calls and get the info from you.  Sometimes the scammers will call and say they are your bank at 8 at night, but of course it is the bank.

      replyreport
7. 100

   chef-de-jourposted 9 years ago

   I have had these emails in the past and they are usually suspect from first reading because the grammar is questionable and the 'look' of the whole thing is just off. Never ever give anything away re passwords, accounts and the like.
   Also, the address at the bottom of the email isn't Paypal's normal address! Which is why you'll know it's a pseudo.
   Better to ignore - best to contact the real Paypal themselves and let them know about the spoof.

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Andrew, thank you so much for sharing your experience and insight. You have helped a great deal and I appreciate you too.

      replyreport
8. 60

   The Examiner-1posted 9 years ago

   I have a PayPal account and they will not ask for these:
   
   Full physical (street) address
   Full bank or credit card no.
   Full driver's license no.
   Listing of email address
   Full name
   Password to PayPal, or any account
   Answers to security questions
   
   You can also send the email that you received by clicking Forward and on the "To:" line type "spoof@PayPal.com". Once you have sent it then delete your mail. In most cases, they can verify it.

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Kevin, Thank you so much!  I will give that a try.  I didn't thin it sounded legit.  I hope you are enjoying a peaceful Sunday afternoon.  God bless

      replyreport
   2. 60

      The Examiner-1posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I am Faith. There is bright sun with barely any clouds and no rain listed! (I would cross my fingers but I am typing. lol)

      replyreport
   3. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Same here : ) ... Enjoy!

      replyreport
9. 0

   SirDentposted 9 years ago

   I get those emails all the time.  I disregard them and go into my account from a browser, just in case.  There will be a notice on your account if anything is amiss. 
   
   If you click the link in those emails, you will be giving all of your account info to someone who will use it to take whatever you have in the account and in any bank account you may have attached to it.

   replyreport
   1. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, Virgil, that is a scary thought! Good to know. Well, the ironic part is that they would be very disappointed LOL and it wouldn't even be worth all of their criminal efforts.

      replyreport
   2. 0

      SirDentposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it is scary but it is the way things are.  Con artists and thieves have always tried to take even from those who have little.  Best to keep your account secure.

      replyreport
   3. 89

      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Virgil, that is sad to think about but I know it's true.  Blessings

      replyreport
10. 81

    M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

    Most emails (if not all) that you get like this are spam. But, if one worries you, the best way to check is to go to paypal's website and log in. If there are any issues, it will be reported on the website, in your official account. And you can also send a help message to real paypal employees who can look up your account info for you to make sure everything is okay. Never respond to the email.

    replyreport
    1. 89

       Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you so much, M.T. Dremer.  Wow, everyone has been so helpful here and Paula right from the start.  Bless you all big time!

       replyreport
11. 78

    quildonposted 9 years ago

    Great advice from everyone here, but I'm wondering could Paypal be referring to the card that is connected to your account? I have received emails like that in the past and I logged in to Paypal directly to verify. Don't respond to that email!

    replyreport
    1. 89

       Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Good point, Angela, well, it is referring to the card in the email for sure, but I never received a card and always wondered how people pay for things via Paypal LOL ...Glad to know your email was legit.

       replyreport
12. 76

    MarieLBposted 9 years ago

    Hi Faith Reaper
    I cannot tell you how to find out about a letter from Paypal and/or anyone else being legit.
    
    Someone here mentioned a card.  Maybe that is the way in some countries, but not in mine.  I have had a count for many many years, and I have never even heard of having a card.
    
    My daughter was selling something valuable on ebay.
    
    She received a letter from ebay with an offer of purchase, then a second email from Paypal to say that the money had been deposited.
    
    She mailed the item [expensive SLR camera] to an address overseas.
    
    She never got the money nor the camera back.
    
    Ebay said it had no case to answer, nor did Paypal.
    
    How the fraudster got all the details required is still a mystery, but at the time it was reported that ebay had been hacked for details of customers.
    
    So it seems there is no foolproof way of being sure, except to - maybe- use a phone to confirm the authenticity of the letter.

    replyreport
    1. 89

       Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Marie, I have never had a card either?  That is terrible about what happened with your daughter.  I have always wondered if there is a guarantee if someone doesn't get what they are due.  Thank you for providing further insight.  Blessings

       replyreport