well, what can i say. so much for the law, look you see. but that's not fair. ever since the laws and punishments for "cold calling" and outright scammers increased somewhat there has been a noticeable fall in the amount of times they happen.
quite the danger with that is complacency. if we are no longer used to rubbish, obviously fake and clearly intent on doing wrong messages coming our way then we might blindly accept that whatever messages come to us must be true. this is of course not the case.
this is one of them "public service announcements", then, if you like. recently the below landed on one of my devices. for a split second (actually less) i considered if it might be real. but no, the signs that it was a falsehood were too obvious. at least, to me. let me show you just in case they are not to your good self. and this is no shortcoming on your side, no one knows anything until they have such knowledge provided.
usually i blank out all the information that could cause you harm. in this instance i have left it, so a to illustrate the obviously false information. but, to clarify, please do not attempt to call the listed number, and absolutely do not type in that web address on any connected device you have.
let's start with that number. if you have two step verification on your accounts (and i would urge you to do this), when you get a text or SMS from the likes of Facebook and indeed to use the example here PayPal you will note that it usually states their name on it, not a telephone number.
as you read the message some issues are obvious. other than them not just randomly deciding to "validate" account, it is worth remembering that PayPal are a multi billion in any currency you like business. they probably can afford to hire a decent writer and someone to check messages, so you wouldn't get the error which made a fake hyperlink with no space between the full stop at the end of information and the word Please.
on domains, that looks real, does it not? after all, it has the security "https" part, and says paypal .co .uk, which i have spaced out. however, don't be fooled. please don't be fooled.
"https" is not all you think. for a start anyone can buy the certificate for it for their site. and just because it says it on the link does not mean it is really there. here is a perfectly safe example for you - go ahead, i promise it will not take you anywhere naughty or dangerous - www.paypal.com
the .co.uk on the address is misleading. it is what they call a "sub" domain. the address you are actually going to is always the very last domain you can see, either at the end of the address or just before any "/" parts. in this instance, then, you would be going to an address called ayiw . nl.
what to do with a message like this? best is to delete it. should you have a moment of doubt then by all means log in to the account you have a "warning" for, but do not follow any link. always type in the address you know is correct.
no, i am not an expert. just passing on information those who are wise have shared with me, and yes, in fairness, i have spent some time in the company of the charlatans, the fraudsters and the tricky ones of the internet.
be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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