Identity theft Ebay/Paypal ($1 million worth)

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/112306dnmetidtheft.2b1aba0.html

A Frisco man accused of heading part of an international theft ring faces 152 counts of wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft in connection with the theft of more than $1 million from unsuspecting victims.

A federal indictment alleges that Robert P. Arbuckle, 33, used his company to launder the money, which had been stolen through eBay PayPal accounts in Europe and North Carolina.


First, unsuspecting customers set up PayPal accounts to make eBay purchases. Then, participants in the scam used their credit card information or checking account numbers to steal from their accounts.

Next, investigators say, the scammers gave Mr. Arbuckle the stolen funds. He then put the money into his Moola Zoola stored-value cards – a gift card that works like a debit card. Those cards carried the names of people whose identities had been stolen. Then, according to investigators, Mr. Arbuckle transferred the money to one card after another to hide the money trail. He sent some of those cards to Russians who had stolen the money using PayPal accounts.

[Vinca]

1. You've got to be so alert to phishing schemes.

Some of the emails look so "right." Send a copy to [e-mail] if you're in doubt. PayPal will never ask you to give up your info in an email.

[zalinda]

2. The other tip is to NEVER

answer through your email program or click on a link in your email to reach PayPal or Ebay. ALWAYS go to the either PayPal or Ebay to check if the message is true by typing in the URL or by YOUR bookmark or favorites, to get to the Ebay or PayPal website.

zalinda

[zalinda]

4. Oh, and this applies to banks or credit unions also.

[pansypoo53219]

3. my answer is not to use paypal

may cost me some ebay sales, buti won't jump thru their hoops.

[Vinca]

5. I love PayPal. I've used it since day one of its existence for

both buying and selling. After all those years I've never had a problem with it. In fact, once someone from PayPal actually called me because they thought a transaction looked suspicious and they wanted to be sure it was legitimate. I've sold on ebay off and on for years and PayPal is the only way to go for international transactions. I'd be lost without it.

[CatWoman]

6. I had a scare on Ebay some months back

The management sent me an email telling me I had to pay for an item I had not bid on. I responded that I didn't know what they were talking about.

Seems someone hacked into my account/password. Ebay sent me several alerts and had me change my password.

I wonder if this was the guy who hacked into my account?

[DearAbby]

7. As an eBay seller

I have used paypal for years with no problems (knock on wood) Remember on those phishing emails, PayPal like Ebay will use your name and seller name (ebay) Never Dear PayPal Member, that is the first clue. Never used links in emails, go directly to paypal, or ebay if there is doubt.

I report all suspecious emails.