Posts: 8483
From: Texas USA
Registered: APR 2003

posted 11-21-2003 08:06 PM         

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I got the following email sent to my server email address. The only way PayPal would have this address is if it were taken out of the memo box when I paid for my raffle tickets. My PayPal email address is a different address. I believe it is a bogus email to get me to send them my personal and credit card info. I have emailed PayPal about this and await a response. There was a file attached. The filename was "www.paypal.com.pif"

Dear PayPal member,

We regret to inform you that your account is about to be expired in next five business days. To avoid suspension of your account you have to reactivate it by providing us with your personal information.

To update your personal profile and continue using PayPal services you have to run the attached application to this email. Just run it and follow the instructions.

IMPORTANT! If you ignore this alert, your account will be suspended in next five business days and you will not be able to use PayPal anymore.

Thank you for using PayPal.

cwacoefo

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Mickey
1997 Plymouth Prowler #156
Custom car cover
Mopar front splash guards
Real Rod stainless steel transmission cooler cover
Mopar Trailer hitch and harness
Real Rod weekender
1992 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE
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Boomerschlobber

Posts: 18511
From: Acworth,GA,USA
Registered: JUL 2000

Posts: 8483
From: Texas USA
Registered: APR 2003

Posts: 33595
From: Cincinnati, OH
Registered: JUL 2000

Posts: 456
From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Registered: FEB 2003

Posts: 18
From: West Monroe, LA, USA
Registered: JUL 2003

posted 11-21-2003 11:26 PM         

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I got a similar email from PayPal today that was also sent to my server address, an address I never give out (I try to avoid as spam as much as possible). My email browser wouldn't let me open the email. It said that the attached file "www.paypal.com.pif" contained a virus/worm. It kind of startled me, I've never before gotten a virus alert message of any kind through this email address. I read it to my boyfriend and he said to block the address, delete the email, and empty the trash bin. Luckily I was paying attention and didn't just blindly open the email....

Alicia

Posts: 12017
From: San Diego Area
Registered: JUL 2000

Posts: 2404
From: Herndon, VA
Registered: FEB 2002

posted 11-22-2003 07:17 AM         

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In addition to antivirus, I strongly advise running a SpyWare program, such as SpyBot or AdAware, if you're not already doing so. You may have what appears to be innocuous cookies in your system, but some can pick up passwords, charge card numbers, personal info, keystrokes, etc., and send it off. Even if you have a firewall, I'd suggest AdAware (just do a Google search for the download sites, I used PCWorld).

I'd be interested to know what some of you find the first time you run a spyware program. BTW, spyware elimination is supposed to be added to the new versions of Norton and McAfee antivirus, but I'd suggest SpyBot until they're proven products.

-GRROWL

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