The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently issued a warning to internet users about new phishing email scams that are supposedly coming from payment gateway PayPal and crypto wallet platform MetaMask. The scams involve emails that warn customers of canceled payments or blocked wallets, and then ask for sensitive information such as account passwords, payment details, and personal information.
The convincing PayPal email is decorated with legitimate colors, logos, and fonts, and includes a dud invoice. In the body of the email is a phone number that links directly to the scammer who proceeds to ask unsuspecting customers for sensitive information. Twitter user OF24com describes how the invoice appears to use the legitimate PayPal domain, helping to persuade even the savviest of PayPal users to share their information.
The MetaMask scam employs a sense of urgency, telling customers that they must upgrade their wallets before a certain date in order to keep their assets secure and accessible. The FTC is advising victims to “slow down” and to assess the email and their circumstances more carefully. The advice is also not to click on any links – if a company has shared a message with you, you will usually be able to find it on the website, in your account (accessed directly via the website), or by phoning the company (again, directly from its website). Contact details shared in an email may not belong to the company in question.
To protect yourself from these types of scams, it is important to download and update malware removal tools and endpoint protection software. These tools can help detect and remove any malicious software that may be hiding on your computer. Additionally, it is important to be cautious when opening emails from unknown senders or clicking on links in emails. Always verify the sender’s identity and check for any suspicious activity before taking any action.
If you do receive a phishing email, the FTC advises that you forward it to reportphishing@apwg.org and delete it immediately. Do not interact with the email or provide any sensitive information to the sender. By taking these precautions, you can help protect yourself from falling victim to these types of scams and keep your personal information safe.
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