Sounds like a phishing scam - you're very wise to be skeptical!
You can forward the email to spoof@paypal.com and they will tell you whether it is legit or not.
Usually within 24 hours. If there was a clickable link in the email, odds are pretty good it was a phishing expedition as Theresa said.
You could also just log in to your PayPal account. If this were legitimate, you'd see something about it there.
A couple of years ago, I did actually have a payment via PayPal from someone in Europe which required me to accept it before it was credited to me. I'm not sure what the conditions were that generated that procedure, versus just crediting it to me directly.
So there is a possibility, although perhaps small, that it is legitimate. You would be able to verify that by logging into your account directly, rather than doing anything through that email (which I would definitely leave alone).
-- Dave
The thing that really makes it look phony is that it says if I do not have a Paypal account I can create one.
If it was from Paypal they would know weather I had an account and would have posted to my account.
I have not and will not use the links in the any email.
Doug
Doug -- I totally agree with you. They'd know if you have an account already. I'm sure it's a phishing expedition.
I use an Apple computer. In my Mail program, under Messages, you can select "Raw Source" to see who actually sent suspicious email; the sender's email address appears right at the top of the window that appears. Alternatively, I can just click on the name of the sender in the email and see whether it matches the purported source. I'm sure that PC's have similar capability.
For example, an email from "Shaw" (my email provider) telling me that my account was recently signed into by someone other than me is actually from some with the email address of "jnbrian@shaw.ca," not an email that would be used by a Shaw employee. Generally speaking, never open an email from someone you are not familiar with if there's any reason to be suspicious.
Bob
Hi Everyone;
Most of you already know this, but not all members are as savvy as us techies.
When you receive an e-mail, that is suspicious or from someone you don't know, and it contains a link, here is what to do.
1) Mouse-over the link, but do not click, and look at the status bar, at the bottom of your browser window. This will reveal where you would be directed, in the event that you would have clicked. Write down this URL for future reference.
2) If you do accidentally click, DO NOT RELEASE MOUSE BUTTON, but move the cursor off of the link, BEFORE releasing the mouse button.
3) If, to your utter horror, it is too late and you already released the mouse button, while still on the link, then cancel page load by doing this: click the button in your tool bar of your browser, "stop loading this page", or even faster still hit the upper-left most button marked "Esc". In most browsers this will kill the page load.
4) Or if you can't remember all these complicated and convolute directions, just yank the cord from it's socket!!! If that fails shoot the thing.
I have used these tricks a few times, to undo something stupid I have done from time-to-time and they all work, tho never had to shoot one yet.
Good luck, you'll need it!!
TudkenRaider
One aspect of PayPal I do not like is when you actually do get money refunded. A seller sent me an invoice and I paid it (Several hundred dollars). Within hours he realized he had not included the postage ($30 as the item was heavy and was being sent registered). He said he refunded my money and could I sent the correct amount? I checked PayPal and the money had been refunded. I then sent the new amount.
What I did not know is that it was 7 - 10 days before the money was actually refunded to me by PayPal. That meant the amount was taken out of my bank twice. Luckily, I had the money there. When the money was eventually refunded, it was not put back into my bank account, put posted as money in my PayPal account. I called and it took another 5 days before they would transfer it back to my bank.
Just remember that refunds are not made to your original account, unless it was taken from a PayPal account with money in it.
Another problem I encountered is when buying from overseas. It naturally takes longer, especially other than Europe. You only have 45 days to file a complaint. When an item does not arrive within a reasonable time, contact the seller AND PayPal. Have had experiences where the seller says it was sent and he will trace it and never contacts you again. Had one dealer say he had a duplicate and would send it - never did. Another who corresponded in English with me all of a sudden stated in broken English they did not speak the language. Those items did not appear either. When contacting PayPal I was told the 45 days had passed and there was nothing they could do.
Contact them even if you believe the dealer is honest and has sent the item before the deadline if you want protection for the purchase.
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
Sounds like a phishing scam - you're very wise to be skeptical!
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
You can forward the email to spoof@paypal.com and they will tell you whether it is legit or not.
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
Usually within 24 hours. If there was a clickable link in the email, odds are pretty good it was a phishing expedition as Theresa said.
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
You could also just log in to your PayPal account. If this were legitimate, you'd see something about it there.
A couple of years ago, I did actually have a payment via PayPal from someone in Europe which required me to accept it before it was credited to me. I'm not sure what the conditions were that generated that procedure, versus just crediting it to me directly.
So there is a possibility, although perhaps small, that it is legitimate. You would be able to verify that by logging into your account directly, rather than doing anything through that email (which I would definitely leave alone).
-- Dave
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
The thing that really makes it look phony is that it says if I do not have a Paypal account I can create one.
If it was from Paypal they would know weather I had an account and would have posted to my account.
I have not and will not use the links in the any email.
Doug
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
Doug -- I totally agree with you. They'd know if you have an account already. I'm sure it's a phishing expedition.
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
I use an Apple computer. In my Mail program, under Messages, you can select "Raw Source" to see who actually sent suspicious email; the sender's email address appears right at the top of the window that appears. Alternatively, I can just click on the name of the sender in the email and see whether it matches the purported source. I'm sure that PC's have similar capability.
For example, an email from "Shaw" (my email provider) telling me that my account was recently signed into by someone other than me is actually from some with the email address of "jnbrian@shaw.ca," not an email that would be used by a Shaw employee. Generally speaking, never open an email from someone you are not familiar with if there's any reason to be suspicious.
Bob
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
Hi Everyone;
Most of you already know this, but not all members are as savvy as us techies.
When you receive an e-mail, that is suspicious or from someone you don't know, and it contains a link, here is what to do.
1) Mouse-over the link, but do not click, and look at the status bar, at the bottom of your browser window. This will reveal where you would be directed, in the event that you would have clicked. Write down this URL for future reference.
2) If you do accidentally click, DO NOT RELEASE MOUSE BUTTON, but move the cursor off of the link, BEFORE releasing the mouse button.
3) If, to your utter horror, it is too late and you already released the mouse button, while still on the link, then cancel page load by doing this: click the button in your tool bar of your browser, "stop loading this page", or even faster still hit the upper-left most button marked "Esc". In most browsers this will kill the page load.
4) Or if you can't remember all these complicated and convolute directions, just yank the cord from it's socket!!! If that fails shoot the thing.
I have used these tricks a few times, to undo something stupid I have done from time-to-time and they all work, tho never had to shoot one yet.
Good luck, you'll need it!!
TudkenRaider
re: Paypal Unclaimed money
One aspect of PayPal I do not like is when you actually do get money refunded. A seller sent me an invoice and I paid it (Several hundred dollars). Within hours he realized he had not included the postage ($30 as the item was heavy and was being sent registered). He said he refunded my money and could I sent the correct amount? I checked PayPal and the money had been refunded. I then sent the new amount.
What I did not know is that it was 7 - 10 days before the money was actually refunded to me by PayPal. That meant the amount was taken out of my bank twice. Luckily, I had the money there. When the money was eventually refunded, it was not put back into my bank account, put posted as money in my PayPal account. I called and it took another 5 days before they would transfer it back to my bank.
Just remember that refunds are not made to your original account, unless it was taken from a PayPal account with money in it.
Another problem I encountered is when buying from overseas. It naturally takes longer, especially other than Europe. You only have 45 days to file a complaint. When an item does not arrive within a reasonable time, contact the seller AND PayPal. Have had experiences where the seller says it was sent and he will trace it and never contacts you again. Had one dealer say he had a duplicate and would send it - never did. Another who corresponded in English with me all of a sudden stated in broken English they did not speak the language. Those items did not appear either. When contacting PayPal I was told the 45 days had passed and there was nothing they could do.
Contact them even if you believe the dealer is honest and has sent the item before the deadline if you want protection for the purchase.