Phishing is one of the most common tactics scam artists use and now they are getting better at their job of trying to confuse the recipient..YOU! Since the beginning of this year I have already received 5 new phishing emails. I have seen hundreds of these over the years but these new ones are more legit looking than ever. These emails I received were from users who's accounts had been hijacked. In the past, and still today, the hijacked accounts were normally from users who did not have any recent buying and/or selling history or very inactive on eBay. These are easier for the hijackers to use if people are not looking at their eBay account on a regular basis.

Now, The new ones I have received are from users accounts who have had recent activity (within the 2 weeks prior to me receiving the emails) & have excellent feedback and their accounts had been hijacked. Pretty bold to hijack someones account who is still quite active on eBay but if they time it just right & you respond to a false link they provide in what you think is a legit transaction before the real user realizes their account has been taken over, they can still get you.

Below is what was in the subject line of the recent emails I have received, and I expect I will see others as time goes on.
- Auction Money Request Canceled
...and the most common is:
- You've received a message from an eBay member
   inside these emails were various messages like: - I bought a polaroid camera from you & it does not work. What is my course of action? I purchased it for my daughter for Christmas.

First, I had not sold a polaroid camera on eBay, ever, so I knew this was someone phishing, and I had not sold a whole lot in the recent weeks. If you do sell or buy a lot, before communicating with any user about any of the above topics, check your "My eBay" transaction history to make sure you have sold or purchased something with the user contacting you before you reply to the email. If suspicious, do not use any of the links within their original email to contact them. Go to eBay's Home Page and click on advanced search, then click search by seller and enter their user ID and contact them that way. 

PROTECT YOURSELF:
Not only phishing emails from hijacked accounts, but if you are unsure if ANY PayPal or eBay emails you receive are actually from PayPal or eBay, protect yourself by opening a new browser window and typing the web address to PayPal or eBay instead of using the links included in the suspicious emails. Also forward any such suspicious emails from eBay to spoof@ebay.com or if from PayPal, spoof@paypal.com. Both are quick to respond & let you know whether or not to continue communications with the user in question if you are unsure.

Most Importantly - Even if you do not actively trade with your eBay account, log in often to keep an eye on your account.

Please vote YES below if you found this information helpful...and to help keep other members aware and on the lookout for their accounts. THANKS!