posted on August 7, 2003 04:45:12 AM new
I've been selling and buying on eBay since 1998 but I'm thinking that now is the time to get out. Why? This week I have received eight (8) emails pretending to be from eBay or PayPal warning me that my account needs updating, or is being hacked, or has been suspended, and I need to provide them with detailed information about everything from my password to my shoe size. That's eight of them and the week isn't over yet. I don't bother forwarding them to eBay; the most I get is an email saying "eBay will never ask for your password, etc, blah, blah…". Well that's reassuring! Knowing that it isn't eBay asking for the information doesn't change the fact that as an eBay user, I am walking around with a target on my back. And how much longer will it be before one of these bozos hacks into eBay and gets the details directly?
There are sharks in the eBay pool, and what is eBay doing about it? I don't read about eBay aggressively litigating on the illegal use of their name and images. I don't read about eBay assisting authorities in prosecuting the creeps who are trying to rip me off. Seems to me that eBay's attitude is "Oh it's only spoofing, eBay isn't doing it, it's just the price you pay for being a valued member of the eBay community." If I'm not in the eBay pool then I won't be part of the feeding frenzy. The rest of you probably have more courage than I and will keep swimming with the sharks, but I think I'll dump my inventory at the flea market in exchange for peace of mind.
posted on August 7, 2003 06:46:56 AM new
Before you leave could you supply us with your password, phone #, address, B-Date, SS#, ect ect ect ect...
[ edited by micmic66 on Aug 7, 2003 06:47 AM ]
posted on August 7, 2003 06:59:08 AM new
Ebay is doing nothing because almost nothing can be done about the problem. They could publicize a rare 1 in a thousand bust of some 12 year old kid using his computer to try to amateurishly gather a few credit card numbers, would that make you feel better?
Most of these spoofs originate in foreign lands with corrupt foreign governments.
Do what everyone else is doing and go with the flow.
-------------- sig file ----------- He who angers you controls you
posted on August 7, 2003 07:10:25 AM new
It's not true that there's nothing eBay can do about the phony emails. There's quite a bit that could be done (starting with an eBay decision to simply stop sending email with links)
If eBay ever does need to send out email reminding folks to update their credit card info, they could simply quote the last four digits of the card number as is commonly done AND include only an advisory to log in, not a clickable link.
denisv: The fraud emails are sent to everyone whether or not they have an eBay account. Paranoia is inappropriate.
I am not a bathtub full of brightly-colored machine tools on Vendio.
posted on August 7, 2003 08:14:33 AM new
Don't fell like your being singled out as everyone is getting them. Well at least the ones they have the email address for. With Yahoo and hotmail and other email services that allow many user ID names these people, scavengers, can run this scam forever. It's like the porno emails. Most of the porno emails also have viruses attached to them. We will never be safe from those people, that is if you can call them people. We the working eBay class are only trying to make ourselves either extra money or run a house hold and these people are trying to take it away from us. They are low lifes and you will never stop them. They are cunning.
posted on August 7, 2003 07:52:59 PM new
DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP OVER A FEW RATS! YOU READ HERE,,,YOU ARE SMILES AHEAD OF THOSE WHO DON'T...THERE ARE THE SMARTS AND,,,,,THERE are THE NOT SO's......YOU ARE WITH THE SMARTS! JUST DELETE THE FAKE STUFF...YOU KNOW YOU ARE SQUARE WITH E BAY,,,,,
THERE IS SCUM EVERYWHERE,,,,,NOT JUST HERE,,,WELL, I MEAN THE FAKE E MAILS,,,,,,IT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU IN THE FLESH LIFE AND YOU OVERCAME IT......SAME WITH E BAY,,,,,FAKE E MAILS....DON'T REPLY TO THEM,,,JUST DELETE AND KEEP ON SELLING,,,AS YOU KNOW,,,,,AT THE SWAPMEET YOU'LL JUST GIVE YOUR GOODS AWAY.......SHOOT MAYBE YOUR A PAST LOTTERY WINNER FOR ALL WE KNOW. THEN JUST DUMP IT ALL AND GO CRUISE WITH FLUFFY....
posted on August 7, 2003 08:54:45 PM new
Jack is right. At least you figured out the scam, either here or somewhere else. Anyone who reads these boards regularly is at very low risk of being spoofed, because as soon as someone receives something fishy, we find out about it here before Ebay does. If you want to worry, then feel sorry for those who have blinders on and get taken in by these scams.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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None of the links appear to be showing, but I could find none that went to any page that would accept a password. Instead, each link direct me to sign in at www.ebay.com.
Every once in awhile, Ebay will send out a legit email, but the subject matter of this one sure waves a lot of red flags.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
