“Ring!” Your phone rings and you pick up the receiver. An automated voice pierces the airwaves demanding that you press a specific key to stop supposed transactions. But be careful! Recently there have been increasing reports of a new variant of this shock call in which criminals are exploiting the renowned payment service PayPal.
A dangerous call: The PayPal scam in detail
You hear the ringing and the familiar voice of an automated message claiming that a payment of several hundred euros has allegedly been made through your PayPal account. The message is clear: If you want to stop this payment, please press a button.
For many consumers, this sounds like an obvious scam. This tactic is reminiscent of previous fraudulent calls in which the perpetrators posed as Interpol, Europol or the police. But the crucial moment is when you press one of the buttons on your phone. Because then you will be connected to a supposed PayPal employee who will pressure you to transfer money to foreign accounts or invest in cryptocurrencies.
A worrying pattern
So far, all victims of this PayPal scam have reported that they hung up during the auto-announcement. Therefore, it is unclear what really happens if you fall for this devious trap. Still, there is a clear indication that this is a scam: not a single victim saw an actual payment in their PayPal account.
The golden rule: DJing is the best option!
Our strong recommendation is: If you receive such a call, hang up immediately! Don't press any buttons and don't let yourself be unsettled. Then open the official PayPal app or visit the website paypal.de . Log in there securely with your login details and check whether there is actually a payment order for a large amount. If so, contact real PayPal customer service directly via the app or website.
Sabrina Winter, spokeswoman for PayPal, emphasizes: “PayPal generally does not call its customers and certainly does not ask them to make payments.”
The big question: How do scammers get your number?
One of the most burning questions those affected ask is: How do criminals get my phone number? Unfortunately, there is no clear answer to this question. The most likely theory is that the scammers are calling random phone numbers in the hope of getting a hit. You don't even have to have a PayPal account to be targeted by these calls. Given PayPal's widespread use, it is extremely likely that the scammers will eventually succeed. And then when you press a button, you confirm to them that you have a PayPal account. This practice is similar to sending phishing emails indiscriminately on behalf of large companies, even to people who have no relationship with those companies.
There are several ways the scammers could get your number. It could come from public telephone directories or from previous data leaks from various companies. Using a technique called “scraping,” they can systematically collect publicly visible phone numbers. Some apps secretly installed on your smartphone may contain your number. These apps read and collect contact information, and it could get to your device, for example through “smishing” (phishing via SMS), as is the case with the parcel service scam or the voice message scam.
Conclusion: Protection against fraud is essential
The PayPal scam is a serious threat that should not be underestimated. The wisest course of action is to hang up when you receive a suspicious call. Never press any button to get in touch with the scammers. Protect your personal information and stay alert to phishing attempts. In a world where fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is our duty to share our knowledge and warn those around us of such dangers. And remember: If PayPal needs to contact you, they will never do so by asking you to make payments. Stay safe and protected!
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Also read: The deadly temptation: The dangerous hype about spicy snacks
Source:
Consumer advice center
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