Song

I don't think it really matters what company you use - even the major banks have been subject to this fraud scam. And if the internet isn't used, the telephone can be. Never give out credit card info to someone who claims to be calling you from a bank and just wants to "verify" your data.

We have to teach ourselves to be suspicious and ask questions!

The safest, safest alternative? Shop locally and use cash

The second safest? Download an order form and mail in a cheque.

The best alternative? Check your credit card balance regularly, always balance it with your statement, have the card #'s handy and call the company immediately if you notice anything suspicious, and be cautious about where you shop and who you give your # too. Trust your instincts - if the email sounds hoaky, it probably is...

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, give out PRIVATE information over the phone, or the Internet. Its that simple. I know a man who gave someone his banking information (this guy is a smart, very smart) and then thought better of it after sending the email. He immediately called the bank and before they could freeze the account, six to eight thousand dollars had been spent.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, give out private information. If someone ask you for a password, let the red flags go up! They shouldn't!!!!!

JJ

I send all suspicious e-mails to spoof@paypal.com
That is the address they gave me when I started getting scam e-mails. ALWAYS log in right to their website!

They are a big help if you contact them and use the forwarded e-mail to get to the bottom of the scam.

Sherri

If something gives me the tiniest little inkling that it isn't quite right, I always just assume that it is a scam. But then I was raised in NY and we don't trust anybody.

I am fed up with Pay Pal. All they do is ask me to update my information. I do so, then a week later I get another email asking that I do the same. I've been deleting them for the past couple weeks. Has this happened to anyone else? I used the spoof email and even got fed up with that.

My experience is that the scam e-mails have slowed down since I started sending them to spoof. I don't update my info unless I go directly to the site and have a reason to do so. So far, I haven't had any problems. Many of my mystery shopping companies, and freelance work is paid through paypal.

Im with Sherry, I send all paypal messages that I receive via emial to Spoof@paypal.com.

I do the same with ebay messages......

Sadly but true, there's alot of cons out there looking to make a buck off of innocent victims.