I generally avoid posting a new topic over here, but I think the information is important enough that users won't mind.
Password Security Tips:
I like to revisit this topic whenever possible. Password protection is the responsibility of the user and several items can greatly reduce the probability that a user will be scammed by a fraudster.
1. Do not log in on any site that is not www.paypal.com.
2. Do not log in on a site that looks like PayPal, but does not have the www.paypal.com in your browser window. Report such sites to us immediately.
3. Do not share your email address and password with anyone.
4. Do not give any web site information asking for your PayPal user id and password. Report to us immediately.
5.Do not make your password intuitive.
6. Do not use the same password combination you use at another site.
7. Do not click on any links that direct you to any site other than www.paypal.com.
8. Do not download any information to complete a transaction. We would not ask you to download anything to claim a payment. A PayPal representative will not ask you for your password.
There are no variations of www.paypal.com that are used by the service (save the secure notice you get when you log in on your account). Any site that has different information than the above is probably a spoof site.
Fraudsters look for users that do not pay attention to what they are clicking on or typing in. That second look could stop you from issues down the road and I would encourage all users to take that extra second when being directed to a site or even when typing in that site's name.
posted on April 9, 2001 07:19:58 PM new
Thanks for the refresher, Damon, but tell me... where are all of the news stories on these scammers that have already pulled this type of trick on PayPal? We have seen this scam reported here at AW in the past.
Is PayPal prosecuting them?
I haven't seen a thing in the news that tells me that PayPal is doing anything when these schisters are uncovered. (at the same time I cannot say that I've ever seen an article that stated that anyone lost $ through this type of PayPal scam.)
You are more than welcome. Investigations may take some time because of interaction with other companies and agencies, but we take a tough stance on fraud. This is why we have the verification steps for withdrawing money out of the system.
posted on April 9, 2001 10:56:32 PM new
One more precaution to add. I have read, in a Personal Technology column in a newspaper I believe, that when on a secure, password-accessed site, that the user shoud log out prior to going to another site or prior to closing the browser window.
I don't understand exactly why, but it has something to do with caching I believe.
Also, if you use your password while at work on a network, extra precautions are advised. I was quite taken aback by the information in this article regarding the security vulnerabilities presented by eBay, despite the SSL option they provide:
Hope I can remember how to make a link!
