Posted by Margaret_FL on 10/20/06 1:31pm
Msg #153891

Update on Email being hacked

Well, changed all my passwords and I get an email today from Paypal saying that a charge for $1892.22 did not clear my bank and they will sending the charge to my backup charge card. I reported my Visa Check Card stolen as that is my primary card on paypal and also called the credit card that I use as a back up source on paypal. I canceled the credit card also. So the funds will not be transfered to this merchant. He he shipped to another address other than my paypal verified address, he is out the merchandise and his money. I also put in the dispute resolution with paypal for this charge. But since these thieves act fast, I am not waiting on paypal to act. What if I had been out of town, which would have been the case but I had a lot of nonwork things to do this week so I have been off all this week. This started Monday by not getting my email and found out that my email account had been hacked and all my mail was being forwarded. This is a good reason email docs are not safe and can get into the hands of this scum. I still am wondering have they got my password.

Reply by cassiewi on 10/20/06 1:37pm
Msg #153892

Speaking of paypal, I got 2 emails that were supposedly from them. One last week and one this week. They stated that my account had been compromised and that I needed to verify my account information. I clicked the link, because it didn't sound on the up and up. Lo and behold, it took me to what looked like paypal, but was actually someone's photogallery. I checked the address in the browser. I reported both emails to paypal and now the link is gone. That was a little scary. I'm sorry this happened to you, that stinks. Who was your email provider?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 10/20/06 1:48pm
Msg #153897

I get those spoofed e-mails all the time, both allegedly from Paypal or Ebay.
I just forward the e-mail complete with headers to [e-mail address], or [e-mail address] depending on where the message is supposed to come from. I never click on the links.
I always get a response confirming that the message did not come from paypal (or ebay) and that they are working to close down those sites that the messages link to.

Reply by cassiewi on 10/20/06 2:00pm
Msg #153902

I clicked on it because I wanted to see what would pop up in the browser, I didn't put any info. But other than that, yes I forwarded it to paypal and the link is now shut down. Thanks for the email addresses though, I had to fill out a form at their website and put the email content in there. So thanks!

Reply by BetsyMI on 10/20/06 2:11pm
Msg #153905

To Cassie

I was told once by someone to never click on a link sent to you by someone you don't know. Even though you didn't put in any informaion, clicking on the link verifies to the sender that your email address is a valid email address and you'll continue to get more junk mail.

Reply by Becca_FL on 10/20/06 1:42pm
Msg #153895

Margaret,

What a horrible ordeal! I'm so glad you caught it when you did. It seems that every time a "better mouse trap" is invented, these scum bags figure out a way around it. Scary, indeed. I'm curious though, what steps are you and/or the email provider taking to ensure this does happen to you or someone else in the future? Did the provider share with you how this could have happened and again, what will they be doing to prevent this type of information theft and fraud in the future?

Thanks for sharing your story.

Reply by Gary_CA on 10/20/06 2:08pm
Msg #153904

How they got your password

Back on Monday, someone told you to run a virus check... THIS IS TOP PRIORITY...

There are viruses around that record your keystrokes and send them off to Russia or somewhere. If you got hit that way they may have all kinds of your passwords and may be getting you new passwords as we speak.

These kinds of viruses are rare but nasty... make sure you run a check.

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 10/20/06 2:53pm
Msg #153919

Re: How they got your password

it is my understanding that it is SpyWare that captures keystroke info, not a virus... but it could be both I guess. If you don't have SpyWare Protection, get it now. I use Trend-Micro Anti-Spyware. Has worked well for me.

Reply by Stamper_WI on 10/20/06 3:04pm
Msg #153922

Re: How they got your password

My credit card co recently was bought out by Bank of America. The day I got that notice in the mail I got an email from BOA asking for confimation of my accts. Those guys really have an inside line. I just deleted the email.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 10/20/06 4:20pm
Msg #153934

Re: How they got your password

Hi Gary,

I run a virus check everynight, ran one again when he told me that, no problem.

I get these spoof emails all the time and forward them to spoof@ebay or spoof @paypal.

My email is comcast and they had no answer when I asked how this could happen and what
they are doing to prevent it. I would not mind if you had to put in more secure information after your password, if that would help. I do not download any free crap, as that always downloads junk spyware with it. I have a firewall, anti-virus, and a secure wireless network
in case someone is driving by they cant get into my network. What else can you do?

This has been a nightmare. I also just went and took all my money out of my bank account and canceled my visa sharecheck card and ordered a new one. What a pain.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 10/20/06 4:20pm
Msg #153935

Re: How they got your password

Hi Gary,

I run a virus check everynight, ran one again when he told me that, no problem.

I get these spoof emails all the time and forward them to spoof@ebay or spoof @paypal.

My email is comcast and they had no answer when I asked how this could happen and what
they are doing to prevent it. I would not mind if you had to put in more secure information after your password, if that would help. I do not download any free crap, as that always downloads junk spyware with it. I have a firewall, anti-virus, and a secure wireless network
in case someone is driving by they cant get into my network. What else can you do?

This has been a nightmare. I also just went and took all my money out of my bank account and canceled my visa sharecheck card and ordered a new one. What a pain.

Reply by Gerry_VT on 10/20/06 4:32pm
Msg #153940

Re: How they got your password

Some people use the same password for many different purposes. If one of these accounts, it then becomes possible to invade the other accounts. A solution is to use a different password for every account. There is a free program, Password Safe, that can be downloaded from sourceforge.net, to keep track of all the different passwords. That program is recommended by, and originally developed by, the well-known computer security expert Bruce Schneier. Other programs for the same purpose are commercially available.