I think I am being scammed!

[lmassey]

I keep receiving emails saying that my account is on hold.  And that I have a charge.  It is always a different amount and it is aways a large amount.  Today it was 499.96.  I am not making any purchases.  When I call the number they provide and they ask for information that I am not confortable giving.  And they want me to go into my computer and let them quide me.  When I sign into my real account the purchases are not showing. so I think it is a scam.  I recieve about one a week and it is always a different large amount to a different company.  The loge on the email looks just like the paypal logo.   What can I do to confirm and stop this from happening?

[kernowlass]

@lmassey 

If its a spoof then NEVER USE ANY LINK OR ANY PHONE NUMBER.

Firstly if the email/text addressed you as ''Dear Member'' / ''Customer'' / ''Client'' OR your ''email address'' then that confirms its a spoof as paypal would address you by your full name eg Dear John Smith.

Secondly if there was a link OR attachment in that email/text to ''cancel'' any transaction or ''confirm'' any details then again it would be a spoof.

Also if they ask you to call the number in the email then it would be fake paypal agents trying to scam you for money to 'fix' something. 

If there was a problem with your account Paypal would not ask you to click on an unsafe link in an email / download an attachment OR phone them on a number in an email, they would direct you to log in normally and go to the resolution or the message centre for more information.

More info here >>
https://www.paypal.com/us/selfhelp/article/how-to-spot-fake-emails-faq2340/2
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/suspicious-activity