An extremely perfidious scam is currently taking hold: fraudsters use PayPal transfers to test whether the account exists.
Nasty PayPal scam: Yesterday a scam was reported in Waren (Müritz), which has previously occurred very rarely in our region.
Two family accounts received deposits from a Paypal account of one cent each. In itself, such a transfer to the account is not bad. However, fraudsters use these small transfers to check whether this account with the corresponding IBAN actually exists.
The fraudsters transfer small amounts, usually the sum of EUR 0.01, to a large number of randomly generated account numbers. Unless this amount is rejected, you know that this account actually exists.
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The fraudsters then use this knowledge for their further actions. Mostly direct debit or bank transfer fraud. The same applies to the case in Müritzstadt. Just a few days after the transfer, EUR 53 and EUR 63 were debited from both of the family's accounts. Apparently the unknown suspect used the knowledge of the correct IBAN to make unauthorized payments via Paypal. The injured parties were able to initiate a chargeback in good time.
But another scam is also known in connection with these transfers of cent amounts. The fraudsters leave a paid telephone number in the intended use. If the injured party then calls this, horrendous costs arise.
The police advise:
We would like to ask you to check your account statements regularly and carefully. If you notice any unusual transactions - including transfers in your favor - please contact your bank immediately.
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This can then, for example, reject the transfer with the note “Account unknown” so that the fraudsters do not know that the account exists. Deadlines must also be met for necessary chargebacks.
You might also be interested in: Fraud with coveted Champions League tickets on Facebook
Source: Neubrandenburg Police
Article image: Shutterstock / By Tero Vesalainen
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