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If you use PayPal, as some of us do to help fund this site, please be careful about phishing. I spotted an exceptionally well-crafted attempt where the second “a” of “PayPal” was replaced by the IPA schwa symbol: depending on font, nearly indistinguishable without keen eyes.
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Phishing
I pretty much make it a rule to never click on a link in an email from anybody, even a friend.
If it is financial, especially, then log into the official site to find out what is going on or better yet actually talk to a person. Yes, yes I am such a luddite so sue me.
There is so much pure laziness with organizations out there to take the human out of the loop that is enabling this bullshit. You know, do all customer service using computers (even worse now with stupid AI) instead of burying human help in phone trees.
Up theirs!
Companies will be cheap
Ahem, “carry out their fiduciary duty to shareholders.”
Anyway, I once worked at a place where mandatory security training was delivered via Flash video. I maintained that anyone whose laptop could view it should immediately fail.
Yes, don’t click anything in email. Good rule.
Best advice
You've given the best advice. #1 Never click on a link in an email. #2 Directly access the sites website and either confirm on there or use the number on the website itself to call and confirm. IE: Never call the phone numbers in the email either (I know it shouldn't have to be said, but it does)
Any place that can take my money
If I get an email from any place that can take my money; be it a bank, Paypal or an online store, that isn't just them passing on information, such as "Your bank card was used online or by phone," or "Your statement is available," red flags go up. If they want me to log into the site for any reason, I do... by opening a new tab and log into the site. If the email is on the up and up, once you log into the site, it will be apparent what the problem is. If it's not (which is more than likely) there won't be anything there to confirm that the email was legit.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin eine Mann