Phishing or not?

[zappaDPJ]

I've never come close to being taken in by a phishing mail but this one has got me perplexed and slightly worried.

It looks legit, it addresses me by my real name and I do have a PayPal account. However the account has been dormant for at least two years and I know that they only have my email address from an old provider, Pipex. This just came in via my IDNet mail address.

Dear * *****,

We are constantly working to make PayPal safer, simpler and more convenient for our customers. This means that from time to time we have to make changes to the terms of our User Agreement.

To make sure you are always informed we have posted recent updates on our website. To view these updates:
•   Click here to read the Policy Update
   Or if you prefer
•   Open a new browser window, visit www.paypal.co.uk and click "Legal Agreements", found at the bottom of the page. Then click "Policy Update"

What do I need to do?

Please read the Policy Update. It contains important legal information about when and how these changes will become effective.

You don't need to do anything if you agree to the changes. Any updates will automatically come into effect.

If you do not wish to accept these changes, we have also provided you with the steps you can take on the Policy Update page.

Please note, the current User Agreement will apply until these changes take effect.

Yours sincerely,

PayPal

   Want to stay safer online? From how to fight phishing to choosing a safer browser, find useful tips and tools at our Safety Advice Centre

How do I know this is not a Spoof email? Spoof or 'phishing' emails tend to have generic greetings such as "Dear PayPal member". Emails from PayPal will always address you by your first and last name. Find out more here.

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This email was sent to ********@idnet.com, as an important product or policy announcement pursuant to the PayPal Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 1999-2010 PayPal. All rights reserved. PayPal (Europe) S.á r.l. et Cie, S.C.A., Société en Commandite par Actions. Registered office: 22-24 Boulevard Royal, L-2449, Luxembourg, R.C.S. Luxembourg B 118 349.

[Rik]

It looks legitimate, Zap, and they have been changing their conditions lately. Does the header give any clues?

[DorsetBoy]

It is fine, it takes you to the https PayPal server.

They do update like this now and then.

All you need do to check is ignore the links in the mail and check your PP account where they have the update info.

[Ray]

I've received it as well, Zap, it's genuine if you go to their website and look at the Policy Updates.

[kinmel]

Firefox's anti-phishing is happy with the the https certificate

[zappaDPJ]

Thanks for the replies. I've had to take it up with PayPal because I can only log into my account with my Pipex email. They do not have my IDNet email and this is worrying me. I've checked the header and and the underlying links and they do indeed appear to be legit.

[Rik]

Very odd, Zap, let us know what they say.

[Noreen]

I was suspicious about it too when I received it however I went to the Paypal UK site (didn't click on their link) and read the details there, so it appears to be genuine. Having read it I can't say that I really understand it though.

[Simon]

I just ignored it.

[zappaDPJ]

OK now I really am bamboozled, I have money in the account and there have been recent transactions. The account was set up a number of years ago to fulfil a specific purpose. Once that was concluded I emptied the account. It seems this week everyone is throwing money at me and long may it last. No really be my guest, all payment methods are acceptable even large cardboard cheques 

[zappaDPJ]

I think this evening I need to find out if the IT teacher at my daughter's school is doing a better job than I thought 

[Rik]

It's all rather weird, isn't it, Zap. Maybe it's from sausage manufacturers?

[zappaDPJ]

If it was food phishing I'd expect Haddock not sausages...

[Rik]

[zappaDPJ]

Oh dear, this is embarrassing. Apparently while I was ill in hospital just after Christmas the account was updated and used by my wife and daughter and I don't remember a thing about it. In my defence I was on a cocktail of morphine, Co-codamol and Tramadol. Mystery solved, thanks for your replies 

[Rik]

You can't trust your family when you're back is turned, Zap.

[Steve]

Certainly a mind numbing cocktail

[Niall]

I just added it to my phishing list as I'm fed up of paypal being rubbish