It was just a mental lapse. I should have known better. But it happened early in the morning and I wasn't on my toes.
An e-mail – “Update your PayPal account information.” Well, I have a little problem with them and I thought, good idea.
I filled out their form – all the info – social security – date of birth – credit card – mother’s maiden name – telephone numbers - and so on. And they said “we’ll email you immediately.” And while I’m waiting, my computer suddenly says “Warning. This appears to be a phishing site.”
And it was!
Now, anybody can pretend to be me. Open a new credit card, gain access to a current card, use that information in who knows how many ways to scam me.
What to do? Cancel the credit card right away (not the first time I’ve had to cancel; they’ll send me a new number).
My lawyer says contact all credit reporting agencies and put in a fraud alert.
Best help I got was at my bank. Peggy M. counseled me, told me who to call and gave me the numbers. I called Equifax right away (800-865-1111) and got a nice gentleman from India who notified the other agencies for me, put a 90-day hold on my credit, and sold me an insurance policy.
A long day fretting. I hope I have done everything right. My lawyer and Peggy M. said it happens all the time.
So watch out! Believe me, I’ll be more cautious now. Hope it isn’t too late.
Dac Crossley
8/21/2011
“Where men are the most sure and arrogant, they are commonly the most mistaken.” – David Hume.
DAC, I just want to thank you for my new Mercedes Convertible Sports Coupe. My round trip first class air tickets arrived this morning and I am looking forward to the month at the Roman Villa in the Greek Islands. The week session in Paris at the Chanel Showroom will certainly get me ready and stylish for my trip. You know I appreciate it all and will try to send you some postcards. The Letter of Credit for $10,000 should be ebough for my vacation. Amazing what a person can do with a Credit Card. Again, thank you.
Posted by: Bobbie Goerner | August 22, 2011 at 11:49 PM
I am very sorry, Dac!!! Relax now. You did very well...
Liz
Posted by: Elizabeth Chilson | August 21, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Sorry to hear this, Dac. I had been notified that my aol account needed updating and it was a legitimate email. Then for a month afterward, I kept getting emails pretending to be from aol asking for updating. I reported them to aol, but I'm wondering how the fraudulant emails seemed to know I needed to change my credit card info?
I guess we msut remain every vigilant or is that, ever suspicious?
Posted by: Lesley A. Diehl | August 21, 2011 at 05:47 PM
oops! Thanks for the warning!
Posted by: shirley white | August 21, 2011 at 05:06 PM
It's scary how easily people can convince us to send them personal information. They make it look so legitimate that we often forget how dangerous it can be to respond to such messages. Glad you got it straightened out.
Posted by: Angela K Roe | August 21, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Sorry to hear that. I was asked to update my Paypal info recently, waited a while, then did so (no social security info!). I rarely use it and haven't since the update, prefering credit cards.
Good warning now from you.
In June my yahoo e-mail account was hacked; 500 people were asked to send me 2600 euros, in Madrid, where I supposedly was stuck. Took a week to straighten out, plus many phone calls, e-mails, and saying no to those who believed the tale and wanted to send me money!
Eileen
Posted by: Eileen Obser | August 21, 2011 at 04:14 PM
I wasn't "phished" per se, but when I came back from my trip to Kaua'i, my bank accounts were empty and someone was trying to buy an IPad with my American Express. Yes, from a Pay Pal acct. I got all the money back, the person was caught, but I could not get my account off of Pay Pal. I will never use their services again.
Posted by: Sunny Frazier | August 21, 2011 at 04:01 PM
Welcome to the club. The insurance is a good idea. They caught the last three times my identity was stolen. I've gotten where I don't reply to any requests for information. I just log in to the appropriate site and ask them if they have sent me a request. If they haven't I forward the email to them and let them handle the matter.
Posted by: Jim Kitchens | August 21, 2011 at 03:41 PM
Hi, Dac. If you have been phished, then we all can be phished. So sorry. Now go fishing. Betty Jean
Posted by: Betty Jean Craige | August 21, 2011 at 03:29 PM
Hi, Dac--the PayPal phishing scams are the most clever and convincing of all. I get those all the time--sometimes in my Junk mail, sometimes not--it gets through to my regular mail. I don't like to use PayPal, but some publishers insists, so, okay, I learned the system. Everytime I received a scam email, I'll sit a study it, making sure I wasn't deleting something I should actually do. Don't feel badly--that one has been created to look quite authentic.
One thing, though, would always make me back off--if someone or something asks for my SS #. That's a sure signal.
Hope you got everything cleared up.
I'll get my info to you very soon--I'm back home, fine, just tired--mostly from standing around hours on end talking to family and strangers. That wears me out more than anything.
Celia
Posted by: celia yeary | August 21, 2011 at 03:23 PM
Ouch!
Posted by: Genie | August 21, 2011 at 03:05 PM
very sorry to read that you have been Pfished. Glad for you that you worked it out without being hurt badly by it.
Posted by: Alan | August 21, 2011 at 02:45 PM