A PayPal Scam that hit New Directions

On the New Directions website we ask for donations via PayPal.

So, one day while I'm running back n forth to Hatboro, finishing up the Compass, I get the following email:

PayPal Case ID: PP-487-830-454-177

Dear Valued Member:
Unfortunately, we have limited your account (temporarily). Please take a few minutes out of your online experience to find out how this can be resolved.

These limitations are implemented when we see unusual or suspicious activity to help protect both PayPal buyers and sellers.
By providing some information in regards to your account, our specialized Review Team will try to fix the issue as soon as possible.

PayPal have provided a form (see attachment) to verify your account. Please download & go through the form.
Our Security Team will immediately review the information you have provided, and your account should be restored back to normal.

We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused. We hope this issue gets resolved today.

Thank you,
PayPal Security Team
Copyright 1999-2016 PayPal Inc. All rights reserved.

I open up the attachment which asks for all sorts of personal info.... social security no, passcodes, address and phone no., coffee with or w/o cream.

Five years ago I got a REAL "suspension" notice and our PayPal account was indeed suspended with some $300 in it.

Mom, said my son Dan, face it. You're never gonna get your money back.

At that time, I was on the phone with the PayPal authorities for hours as if I were bargaining for my life.

Finally, at the end of the day, I called PayPal, about the above matter, fearing the worst.

A woman named "Heart" took c/o me. And yes, she said, that's her real name. I told her I had a helluva time getting "the operator."

Hit "0 and the pound sign three times," she said. 

Here's her response

Dear Ruth Deming,

Thank you for contacting PayPal Customer Support. My name is Heart and I am happy to assist you with fake emails.

We understand receiving a fake email can be a cause for concern, and we urge you to always contact us if you have any questions about your PayPal account.

Fake emails, also known as phishing emails, attempt to collect your personal and financial information. These fake emails often link to fake websites that encourage you to enter personal information such as credit card numbers, passport or driver’s license numbers, and account passwords.

You’ll know that an email is not from PayPal when:

• The email uses a generic greeting like "Dear user" or "Hello, PayPal member." We always address you by your first name and last name or the business name on your PayPal account.
• The email requests financial and other personal information. For example, an email from PayPal never asks for the numbers of your bank account, debit or credit card, or driver’s license. We also don’t request your email addresses, your full name, your account password, or the answers to your PayPal security questions.
• The email includes an attachment or a software update to install on your computer.
• We will never ask you for money in an email, and we will never ask you to send money through Western Union, MoneyGram or any other third party money transfer service.

If you think you’ve received a fake email, forward it to review@paypal.com. Then delete the fake email from your inbox.

Click Security at the bottom any PayPal page to learn more about fake emails and websites and online safety.

For additional information about fake emails and websites, you can visit www.antiphishing.org, a website put together by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).

Sincerely,
Heart
PayPal Customer Solutions
PayPal