Beware...Frauded on Ebay

[atruvirgo]

I rec'd an email that I was charged 47.85 for an ebay purchase, which I did not make. When I logged on to PayPal my passcode did not work (I know it is correct). So I selected forgot password (since it wasn't working). Paypal said that they were sending password info to my email address...it never came. I called and the system would not hwlp me with my password. I tried to email the supposed person I purchased from Mailes Damon came back no such address. I logged on to Ebay to look up sellers id...no such seller....I tried to call Ebay...you have to dispute by snail mail. On top of that I did order a 13.00 item on 6/30 and was charged immediately. I emailed the seller 3 times and the first time he said sorry it had not shipped. Second and third time...no response. I was charged for the item 12 days ago,,,notifed Ebay still no response. This was why I was apprehensive and now I am sitting on hold with my credit card company at midnight! I am furious!!!!!! Has anyone ever been screwed on Ebay????

[MidnightOwl]

When you went to pay pal did you click on a link in the email itself or did you type the address in yourself? It's possible that the email you received was a fake and that any links it contained led to fake sites designed to fool you into typing in your user id and password. In that case hackers now have your password and access to any credit information stored in those accounts. If this is true you need to cancel that account and any credit card account linked to it.

I suspect you already know this in which case ignore me.

Midnightowl

[geoDoug]

Sage advice indeed. Paypal has a policy of never sending emails asking for your password. They also will not direct you to a subpage. Don't ever follow in a link in an email that looks like it goes to a paypal subpage. Every single time you go to Paypal, go through their homepage. That way you'll be 100% sure you're actually at their site and not a clever imitation.

I would advise closing that account and checking the activity of any bank/credit card accounts linked to it. You may want to close those as well, if you don't have any kind of fraud protection on them.

Doug.

[kteague]

Fradulent emails representing themselves as ebay happen all the time, and ebay even has warnings about how to recognize them. I think they are from crooks who know enough to get your email out of ebay's database but cannot get into the guts of your data without you giving them access. They say exactly what the message to you said, because they know anyone would want to clear up a mistaken charge. Bottom line is, whether about ebay or any other online account, if you get an email, no matter how official looking, exit your email program and go to your web browser to communicate with the organization in your usual manner. Don't use the links within the email. I would go to ebay's site and see if they have instructions for what you should do now to protect yourself. I'm not sure what you responding now enables them to do. I can ask my son-in-law tomorrow if you haven't already gotten an answer.

The first time I bought something on ebay I got one of the scam emails and fell for it, and he explained to me just not to respond, so all the emails I've received like that, I just ignored them. Nothing was charged to my account. It's a bluff. But these people are good. They simulate ebay's logo and web site quite well.

What a shame crooks like these even exist, but in this day and age, the venue exists, so a crook will find a way. One time my son-in-law just happened to run into a t-shirt design on ebay that looked so much like one he and my daughter had sold on ebay in the past, so he went to the person's other items for sale. Well, someone in Bulgaria had copied several of their designs and was selling them as black & white knockoffs. How about competing with you for sales with your stolen designs! I contacted by email the offender and very official sounding threatened them. They were willing to remove the designs if we'd tell them which ones. So many were stolen they didn't even know which ones! Most thieves don't care. They just disappear and come back under another name.

Okay, off my soapbox now. Sorry you were victimized. That stinks.

Kathy

PS - I see you got some answers while I was typing.

[atruvirgo]

reported to my CC company and they have changed my acct number and filed a report on this transaction. I finally managed to get on to PayPal and check my account and it did not show any activity...but being on the safe side I closed the account anyway since it is obvious someone tried to pull a fast one. Now if I can just get the item I did order and pay for. Luckily I found out as quick as I did. I was in the process of ordering army and navy flags for my office at work and when I tried to access PayPal I couldn't get on which caused me to research. Now I have to start my flag order all over. But, that can wait til tomorrow...I'm tired

[OwlCreekObserver]

I've bought and sold hundreds of items on eBay over the years and have had very few problems. The comments about avoiding scams (both eBay and PayPal) are dead on. Never click on a link in an email to go to your account at either site. I get phishing messages nearly every day regarding purchases I've supposedly made, a purchase that someone supposedly wants to make, or some nonsense about a security problem with my PayPal account.

The only CPAP-related problem I've ever had on eBay was the time I bought a mask. The item description implied that it was new, but it wasn't really very clear. I sent two email messages to the seller to ask about it but never received a reply. I decided to buy it anyway and when it arrived, it was in the original container but the sealed pouch had been opened. I sterilized it before using, of course, and everything appeared to be in new condition, but I wasn't real happy about it.

OCO

[KAZ]

Debbie, in addition to not replying to these emails, you can forward them to" spoof@ebay.com or spoof@paypal.com) and they will respond to you that the email is a fake and go after the crook. I'm glad that you took quick action to protect your funds. Regards

Thanks Dawn for setting me straight! I shouldn't post before my morning coffee.

[Slinky]

I get e-mails, supposedly from PayPal, all the time. I don't have a PayPal account. I have purchased items on e-Bay, not very often, and have never had a problem. I always got what I paid for and was always satisfied w/what I got.

I get gobs of e-mail, again supposedly from e-Bay, all the time too. There is a way to know if the e-mail really is from e-Bay or not. Read the info at e-Bay regarding fraudulent e-mails puporting to be from e-Bay and you will learn how to verify, spam or real. Plus as everyone else has recommended, don't follow the links, go directly to e-Bay via your browser and check your messages or the item.

[DawnTCB]

...in addition to not replying to these emails, you can forward them to...

I think KAZ probably meant to give you the email addresses to forward them to... spoof@ebay.com and spoof@paypal.com . It would be better to forward them via email.

That said, I am sorry this happened to you. I have those phish emails all the time... I forward every one of them on. One day they may actually catch some of these criminals and put a stop to this. <sigh> Well, a girl can hope, right?


Dawn

[bdp522]

Ebay does have a CS phone #. I have used it to get the ball rolling when I've had a problem. 1-800-322-9266 or 1-888-749-3229
It's been over a year since I've used these numbers, but they should still be good.

Brenda

[oceanpearl]

You been had. Just hope that enough people emailed Ebay before you clicked on and put in your Paypal sign on and password.
It's really hard for me to believe that people are still falling for this. Next thing you know someone here will be sending their bank account information to a "Princess" in Nigeria, who's father hid 200 million dollars and she needs help to get it out of the country.

At least once a month I get a communication from ebay or papal telling me to never click on a link. Simply because they don't send out those type emails.

I get emails at least weekly from banks that I have never heard of asking me to log on and the addresses are always PHISH sites.
My suggestion is to download the "FREE" Avast anti virus program. When there is something fishy about a link Avast warns you that it is a possible Phish.

[Treesap]

On top of that I did order a 13.00 item on 6/30 and was charged immediately. I emailed the seller 3 times and the first time he said sorry it had not shipped. Second and third time...no response. I was charged for the item 12 days ago,,,notifed Ebay still no response. This was why I was apprehensive and now I am sitting on hold with my credit card company at midnight! I am furious!!!!!! Has anyone ever been screwed on Ebay????

Did check the seller's feedback? I always check feedback to determine if I want to purchase from them. If they obviously have a lot of negative feedback, then they are not worthy of my hard-earned dollars.

If this seller who has not shipped to you has great feedback, maybe something is going on. Still, they should be communicating with you.

I've bought many items on ebay, and I have not had bad experiences yet. I did buy some depression glass. It said there was no cracks, crazing or anything. When it arrived, one piece had a crack. You could only feel it, not see it. I emailed the seller, and he refunded my money on that item.

[CarrieS]

I too get spoof emails all the time - just forward them back to paypal or ebay depending to report them spoof@paypal.com or spoof@ebay.com they respond pretty quickly letting you know that it was fraudulent - the addresses are even in my address book since I use them so often. ANytime I get an item won that I didnt win I go directly to ebay (avoiding any links in the email) and check to see if I did in fact "win" something that I didnt bid on (in case someone got my info) everytime there is nothing on my Items Won list and I breathe a sigh of relief then forward the email.

[CarrieS]

PS Paypal has a customer service number Ive called and talked to them (an actual person) before so you may want to try that.

[dieselgal]

I have been with ebay almost from the beginning and paypal for a long time.
One of the new scams the criminals are using to get your paypal information is to send you a nice geniune looking letter like a receipt showing you have just PAID for something fairly pricey. They also include a link to your paypal account (which is fake) the intent is for you to think CRIMINY!!! I didn't do that and immediately click on the fake link, therefore actually giving them your password which they never really had to start with. Then you get to your real paypal account and realize that nothing has been charged to your account and you relax. Forgetting, or never realizing that by responding to that FAKE charge receipt you just GAVE them access to the account for the future. Pretty slick huh?

THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS:
Even if you get a notice from paypal that you have been charged for something don't click any link on the page. Open your internet window, go to paypal directly then check your account.