Spoof eBay Emails Can Ruin More Than Just Your Day
Over the past few years there’s been a worrying increase in the number of spoof e-mails that claim to be from eBay or Paypal. These are an attempt to gain your username and password so that fraudsters can use your account for illegal activities.
Even more worrying is the sophisticated tactics that they now use. Sometimes it’s very hard indeed to tell whether an email really is from eBay, or whether in fact it’s a spoof.
This article aims to raise your awareness of what to look out for. Act carefully, and there’s no reason why you should ever fall victim to one of these spoofs.
Typically a spoof email will try to firstly grab your attention. The most common is an e-mail telling you that your eBay account has apparently been suspended, and that you need to sign in to check your status. You’ll then see a link that takes you to a website that is made to look like the real eBay sign-in page. This will ask for your eBay username and password.
NEVER click on a link in an email that is asking you to give your username and password. Ebay will NEVER ask for these details in an email.
Of course the email telling you that your account has been suspended is just one example of a spoof. It may be in the form of an email informing you that you’ve become a powerseller, an unpaid item reminder, or even an “ask seller a question” email. All could be spoofs.
Some sellers are even using black hat and unethical practices of abusing the eBay messaging system! Although they are usually caught you will sometimes see a few slip through the grasp of the eBay safety & security team. Get in the practice of hovering your mouse cursor over any suspicious links and then looking at the URL in your browser’s information bar, which is located towards the bottom left of your browser window.
The important thing to remember is don’t click on any links in an email that takes you to eBay. If you’re in doubt, open up a new browser window, and go to eBay yourself manually.
Anything that looks suspicious probably is. Spoof eBay sites are often VERY realistic. You cannot tell it’s not in fact a real eBay page. I’ve seen examples where even the web address is very cleverly disguised.
Use the above information, as well as a little common sense, and you’ll be fine. Remember too that it’s not just eBay that has spoofs; Paypal: online bank accounts: and investment accounts: amongst other things, are all sites which are spoofed.
Question…
is it legal to spoof call harrass people?
A minor (not me) has recently been “spoof calling” (which changes the caller Id of a phone) people with the sole intention to harrass them. Examples include a teacher , whom he called at 12 oclock midnight repeatedly with someone who he is having a fight with’s number to get him in trouble. He also called the person whom he is fighting with multiple times using his friends numbers to make him pick up the phone and them proceeded to insult him and hang up. I would like to cease this person from continuing his harrassing calls. Is it legal?
Answers…
Answer by Mr. Shpongadongle
It certainly doesn’t sound like it to me.
Answer by cappara
no it is not legal it is harassment.
Answer by spanier88
Harassing phone calls are illegal. And your “friend” needs to grow up.
If you’ve got an opinion about this Call Spoof post, then leave a comment…
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Of course it isn’t legal.
No it is not legal. It is harassment and he could be arrested and/or fined. Call the police and file a report/complaint.
hmm i as always wondering how do this….HOw much does it cost to get the necessary junk for Phone freaking/spoof calling
naw it’s not illegal only if he threatens someone’s life is it then illegal soof callin was made to be a practical joke so it is illegal and u can also buy them in the store for 10 dollars
If you call more than once I think it’s harrassment. But I’d just leave it alone. The kid is obviously crying out for attention. He just needs a good friend. Either way it’s a passing phaze. Just wait it out, don’t involve the police, that won’t be good for his future, or your peace of mind.
You can’t do anything as you have no standing. He didn’t do anything to you and you aren’t his parent (or you would have said so). Unless, of course, you are claiming that he spoof called using your telephone number. Are you claiming that?
I suggest though that you give him a little warning. Neither the police nor the telephone companies are stupid. They have ways of tracing phone calls. It doesn’t matter what the caller id says, it matters what is inside the telephone system.
Your little friend could end up with a visit from the police and he could be charged with harassment and criminal mischief. He could end up with a juvenile criminal record (assuming he isn’t say 16 or 17 and they decide to make an example of him by charging him as an adult). His punishment might be community service or probation or both!
And all the people he charged could go after him in civil court for harassment. Since he is a minor, his parents will have to pay and they will not be pleased with him. This could affect his personal comfort. Also, his parents could lose their telephone service over the spoof calling as it violates the terms & agreements they agreed to follow.
Ask your friend if the punishment is worth his little mischief? If not, he had better stop now…or else!