PayPal wants my Social Security Number.....

**grhazelton** · 03-19-2017, 01:13 PM

PayPal a few days ago expressed regret that I'd cancelled my account. I hadn't.

After that email PayPal told me that my account had been "limited" due to supposed access from a user in Hong Kong. The email had several grammatical and spelling errors.

A link is furnished to fix things, it wants to confirm my SSN. I don't recall furnishing my SSN when I opened the account, I'm wary about furnishing it now. I've used PayPal for a number of purchases, but only one sale, for the amount of $10.00.

Has anyone else encountered this sort of thing from PayPal? Any suggestions?

johnyates · 03-19-2017, 01:19 PM

That email was not from PayPal. See: Phishing - Wikipedia

**paulh** · 03-19-2017, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by grhazelton

Has anyone else encountered this sort of thing from PayPal? Any suggestions?

Yes, many times. A well-known phishing scam - the email is not from paypal.

**csa** · 03-19-2017, 01:21 PM

In a word, NO! Do not give out your SS # to a request like this!

I'd suggest forwarding all the e-mails to the real PayPal, NOT to the address on the e-mails! Nothing but a scam.

**BigMackCam** · 03-19-2017, 01:34 PM - **4 Likes**

I don't even click on e-mail links from genuine PayPal messages... I always log into PayPal independently to see if any notifications are reflected in my account status. I recommend you, and anyone else reading this, do the same.

timb64 · 03-19-2017, 01:49 PM - **2 Likes**

Apparently my Bank has outsourced my account to Nigeria and there is a big bonus waiting for me if I confirm my security details?!

**grhazelton** · 03-19-2017, 02:04 PM - **3 Likes**

Many thanks for the replies! They pretty much confirm my suspicions. But that bank in Nigeria...sounds like a sweet deal!

AussieTrev · 03-19-2017, 03:13 PM - **1 Like**

Had a phone call last year that I had a car crash in Newcastle NSW. When pushed it was said it was in Hunter St. Thought of those words some older Australians would recall, "Never let a chance go by oh lord." Hence I hung up.

**Digitalis** · 03-19-2017, 03:18 PM

Well that seems totally legit. Using peoples uncertainties against them, a Classic Phishing tactic.

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I always log into PayPal independently to see if any notifications are reflected in my account status.

^This.

**clackers** · 03-19-2017, 04:40 PM - **5 Likes**

Originally posted by timb64

Apparently my Bank has outsourced my account to Nigeria and there is a big bonus waiting for me if I confirm my security details?!

I've sent $3000 to that Nigerian prince and he still hasn't parked the $5 million in my account as promised.

I'm getting irritated - about to send another $1000 to hurry him up.

robert52 · 03-19-2017, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by timb64

Apparently my Bank has outsourced my account to Nigeria and there is a big bonus waiting for me if I confirm my security details?!

Well then what are you wating for ? Go for it

---------- Post added 03-20-17 at 12:35 PM ----------

Originally posted by clackers

I've sent $3000 to that Nigerian prince and he still hasn't parked the $5 million in my account as promised.

I'm getting irritated - about to send another $1000 to hurry him up.

Hey your not trying to move on my Nigerian prince are you?

---------- Post added 03-20-17 at 12:38 PM ----------

Originally posted by grhazelton

Many thanks for the replies! They pretty much confirm my suspicions. But that bank in Nigeria...sounds like a sweet deal!

Whilst your making up your mind I have a Bridge for sale that you might be able to invest in its only the Sydney Harbor Bridge makes good money every day trust me

rawr · 03-19-2017, 08:02 PM

The range and targetting finesse of phishers is impressive nowadays.

Just a few years ago, they pretty much ignored Australian banks and big businesses as their targets. But today I get phishing emails everyday from people pretending to be from practically every local bank big and small, the tax office, Woolworths, etc, as well as of course pretending to be PayPal, Amazon, or eBay. Relentless.

**clackers** · 03-19-2017, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by robert52

]

Hey your not trying to move on my Nigerian prince are you?

Ah, that's why I haven't heard from him. He's got cold feet because of interest from you.

Sending him *$2000* now just to remind him of my business acumen!

robert52 · 03-19-2017, 08:41 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by clackers

Ah, that's why I haven't heard from him. He's got cold feet because of interest from you.

Sending him *$2000* now just to remind him of my business acumen!

Yes he is going to deposit the money in my account as soon as the check clears & he giving me your % as well I put it to good use

Theov39 · 03-19-2017, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by grhazelton

PayPal a few days ago expressed regret that I'd cancelled my account. I hadn't.

After that email PayPal told me that my account had been "limited" due to supposed access from a user in Hong Kong. The email had several grammatical and spelling errors.

A link is furnished to fix things, it wants to confirm my SSN. I don't recall furnishing my SSN when I opened the account, I'm wary about furnishing it now. I've used PayPal for a number of purchases, but only one sale, for the amount of $10.00.

Has anyone else encountered this sort of thing from PayPal? Any suggestions?

Obviously a scam. Paypal NEVER asks you for personal information like that.

03-19-2017, 01:13 PM	#1
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	PayPal wants my Social Security Number..... PayPal a few days ago expressed regret that I'd cancelled my account. I hadn't. After that email PayPal told me that my account had been "limited" due to supposed access from a user in Hong Kong. The email had several grammatical and spelling errors. A link is furnished to fix things, it wants to confirm my SSN. I don't recall furnishing my SSN when I opened the account, I'm wary about furnishing it now. I've used PayPal for a number of purchases, but only one sale, for the amount of $10.00. Has anyone else encountered this sort of thing from PayPal? Any suggestions?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Question I no longer use PayPal......I no longer accept PayPal.....Can I still sell on PF ??	Dlanor Sekao	Site Suggestions and Help	8	04-07-2016 07:38 PM
Fox Attacks People For Collecting The Social Security And Medicare Benefits They Paid	jogiba	General Talk	0	09-06-2012 02:31 PM
The real problem with Social Security, in simple language	skyredoubt	General Talk	2	12-07-2010 06:07 PM
Peter Orszag supports Social Security reform	mikemike	General Talk	33	11-17-2010 01:09 PM
Is Social Security a Pension or Transfer Payment System?	mikemike	General Talk	34	11-10-2010 02:37 PM

03-19-2017, 01:19 PM	#2
johnyates Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Saskatoon, SK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,345	That email was not from PayPal. See: Phishing - Wikipedia

03-19-2017, 01:20 PM	#3
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,306	Originally posted by grhazelton Has anyone else encountered this sort of thing from PayPal? Any suggestions? Yes, many times. A well-known phishing scam - the email is not from paypal.

03-19-2017, 01:21 PM	#4
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	In a word, NO! Do not give out your SS # to a request like this! I'd suggest forwarding all the e-mails to the real PayPal, NOT to the address on the e-mails! Nothing but a scam.

03-19-2017, 01:34 PM - 4 Likes	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,690	I don't even click on e-mail links from genuine PayPal messages... I always log into PayPal independently to see if any notifications are reflected in my account status. I recommend you, and anyone else reading this, do the same.

03-19-2017, 01:49 PM - 2 Likes	#6
timb64 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: /Situation : Doing my best to avoid idiots! Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,514	Apparently my Bank has outsourced my account to Nigeria and there is a big bonus waiting for me if I confirm my security details?!

03-19-2017, 02:04 PM - 3 Likes	#7
grhazelton Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jonesboro, GA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972 Original Poster	Many thanks for the replies! They pretty much confirm my suspicions. But that bank in Nigeria...sounds like a sweet deal!

03-19-2017, 03:13 PM - 1 Like	#8
AussieTrev Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,590	Had a phone call last year that I had a car crash in Newcastle NSW. When pushed it was said it was in Hunter St. Thought of those words some older Australians would recall, "Never let a chance go by oh lord." Hence I hung up.

03-19-2017, 03:18 PM	#9
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Well that seems totally legit. Using peoples uncertainties against them, a Classic Phishing tactic. Originally posted by BigMackCam I always log into PayPal independently to see if any notifications are reflected in my account status. ^This.

03-19-2017, 04:40 PM - 5 Likes	#10
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by timb64 Apparently my Bank has outsourced my account to Nigeria and there is a big bonus waiting for me if I confirm my security details?! I've sent $3000 to that Nigerian prince and he still hasn't parked the $5 million in my account as promised. I'm getting irritated - about to send another $1000 to hurry him up.

03-19-2017, 06:33 PM	#11
robert52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: At the pimple of bum of life Posts: 264	Originally posted by timb64 Apparently my Bank has outsourced my account to Nigeria and there is a big bonus waiting for me if I confirm my security details?! Well then what are you wating for ? Go for it ---------- Post added 03-20-17 at 12:35 PM ---------- Originally posted by clackers I've sent $3000 to that Nigerian prince and he still hasn't parked the $5 million in my account as promised. I'm getting irritated - about to send another $1000 to hurry him up. Hey your not trying to move on my Nigerian prince are you? ---------- Post added 03-20-17 at 12:38 PM ---------- Originally posted by grhazelton Many thanks for the replies! They pretty much confirm my suspicions. But that bank in Nigeria...sounds like a sweet deal! Whilst your making up your mind I have a Bridge for sale that you might be able to invest in its only the Sydney Harbor Bridge makes good money every day trust me

03-19-2017, 08:02 PM	#12
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	The range and targetting finesse of phishers is impressive nowadays. Just a few years ago, they pretty much ignored Australian banks and big businesses as their targets. But today I get phishing emails everyday from people pretending to be from practically every local bank big and small, the tax office, Woolworths, etc, as well as of course pretending to be PayPal, Amazon, or eBay. Relentless.

03-19-2017, 08:31 PM	#13
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by robert52 ] Hey your not trying to move on my Nigerian prince are you? Ah, that's why I haven't heard from him. He's got cold feet because of interest from you. Sending him $2000 now just to remind him of my business acumen!

03-19-2017, 08:41 PM - 1 Like	#14
robert52 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: At the pimple of bum of life Posts: 264	Originally posted by clackers Ah, that's why I haven't heard from him. He's got cold feet because of interest from you. Sending him $2000 now just to remind him of my business acumen! Yes he is going to deposit the money in my account as soon as the check clears & he giving me your % as well I put it to good use

03-19-2017, 09:12 PM	#15
Theov39 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 594	Originally posted by grhazelton PayPal a few days ago expressed regret that I'd cancelled my account. I hadn't. After that email PayPal told me that my account had been "limited" due to supposed access from a user in Hong Kong. The email had several grammatical and spelling errors. A link is furnished to fix things, it wants to confirm my SSN. I don't recall furnishing my SSN when I opened the account, I'm wary about furnishing it now. I've used PayPal for a number of purchases, but only one sale, for the amount of $10.00. Has anyone else encountered this sort of thing from PayPal? Any suggestions? Obviously a scam. Paypal NEVER asks you for personal information like that.