Hi Al,
Since we utilize PayPal to accept funds from around the world for the sale of our book, we get phishing emails all the time.
These phishing emails seem to come at us from several points of view.
1) You have unexpectedly received a payment from someone you don't know
2.) You have added an email address to your account, please verify
3.) You have been charged $X for a product you never ordered
4.) There has been activity on your account from an unverified source, please verify
5.) and so on.
#1 point to keep in mind: if the email addresses you as Dear User or Dear PayPal User and not the full name under which you have opened the account (Dear John Jones) -- do not ever click on their links.
If you put your curser on that link, at the bottom of your computer you will see the actual address to which your response will go - and it will not be PayPal.
If you have any doubt whatsoever, simply go to your account and log in as usual,
NEVER USING THE LINK PROVIDED IN THE EMAIL -- NO EXCEPTIONS.
Always forward any email that arouses your suspicion to
spoof@paypal.com - PayPal keeps track of these phishing sites and will acknowledge your forward.
Fortunately (knock on wood) we have not had any problems and we always forward any suspicious emails, including requests for taking a PayPal survey.
Hope this helps.
Be well,
Akaisha
Author,
The Adventurer's Guide to Early Retirement