Online scam of the week: PayPal phishing attacks via text message
Watch out for a new kind of scam targeting users of PayPal, a popular online payment service.
It all starts with a text message advising you that unusual activity has been detected on your PayPal account. Opening the link in the text message takes you to a fraudulent page that prompts you to enter personal information and financial details. Once you enter your credentials, the attackers gain access to your account and are able to withdraw money immediately.
Tips to stay protected:
- Never click on links in a text message or email that you were not expecting to receive.
- When you receive a message asking you to log in to an account or online service, navigate to the login page from your phone’s browser or use the service’s mobile application. This will ensure you are logging in to the real website.
- Use different passwords for different accounts. If you use the same password for multiple accounts and one is compromised, all accounts are at risk. .
on the university’s Information Technology Services website.
