Victim of Phishing Email

by AC21DJ
29 replies
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A few weeks ago I bought a site on Flippa. I paid the seller immediately and waited to receive the website. After 3 days of no communication from the seller, I decided that I would go to the bank and see what could be done about getting my money back. Thankfully, since I paid with a credit card getting the charge removed was no problem.

A few days later I received an email that looked like it came from the bank telling me to click on a link and log into my account to change my password. Like an idiot I clicked on it and without my knowledge that installed malware and spyware on my computer.

About a week later my bank calls me and tells me I have been a victim of identity theft and that somebody from Romania has my account numbers and passwords. Romania is where the guy I bought the site from is living. Coincidence, I doubt it. So, for the last few days I have been dealing with all the BS that comes with identity theft. It is such a pain in the butt.

My question to all you warrior members is.

Am I the only one dumb enough to fall for this?
Have any of you had anything similar happen to you?

I hope the answer to the second question is no. If its not tell me what happened.
#flippa #scammed
  • Profile picture of the author mookinman
    You seriously fell for a phishing scam? I thought everybody knew about that scam by now...
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  • Profile picture of the author AC21DJ
    I guess that I am really dumb. My wife had the same reaction as you.
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  • Profile picture of the author alistair
    I wouldn't say you were dumb, maybe just got other things on your mind. I think it's like speed cameras, you know where they are but every now and then if you're mind is on other things you forget.

    If these scams didn't work then they wouldn't bother trying. Unfortunately they do work as your example shows. Hope you get it sorted.
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  • Profile picture of the author dcristo
    You should NEVER click on a link in an email that asks for you to change your password.

    If it's necessary that you need to change it, go to the official website, don't click on the email link.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I would have never clicked on a link from an email. Always log into your accounts if there is an issue you need to take care of.

    Since your bank is aware of it, it should just be a matter of closing one account and opening a new one. Pain in the butt, I know, but better than being robbed.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Sadly, this sort of thing has become more common. Have not bought a single web site from flippa this year. Still remember how great they were as site point years ago. Ah, the sweet memories. Well, what I can tell you is that you will be more careful from now on.
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  • Profile picture of the author vivi62
    most scams come from romania unfortunately,dont beat yourself up about it just sort it out and move on its a well learnt lesson.
    regards
    vivi62
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  • Profile picture of the author salegurus
    "Scammed at Flippa"
    That headline keeps popping up time and time again,
    doesn't look like the owners care much either.

    As far as phishing scam, i am extremely vigilant but i almost fell
    for one the other day. My mind was elsewhere when i clicked on the link
    but thankfully i recovered in time...
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    • Profile picture of the author AndrewAU
      Originally Posted by salegurus View Post

      "Scammed at Flippa"
      That headline keeps popping up time and time again,
      doesn't look like the owners care much either.
      Be assured we do care and encourage the buyer in this case to let us know what happened by clicking the "dispute sale" in the post sale discussion area of the listing. This was we can follow up with the seller and take corrective action where required (be assured that we do - typically results in seller being removed from the marketplace).

      Don't feel the headline is entirely accurate here as the scam seems to be bank account phishing which is in no way related to Flippa.
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  • Profile picture of the author JDub07
    Yeah like every website for the most part will say-- They will never asked for your password through any type of email correspondence. Good luck sorry it happened!
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanmilligan
    Banned
    Let this be a lesson to you.

    Do some research before you do anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Chicas
    Maybe this would be a good time for your to Google "common internet scams" or something to that sort and go through them - just for future reference.

    Happens once - shame on them, it happens twice - shame on you.

    PS.. I meant to go through them and study them - not really "go through them" haha.
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  • Profile picture of the author AC21DJ
    The more time I spend reading your replies, the more I think that it is amazing how big of a sucker I was. Luckily no real damage was done and my accounts are now OK.
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    • Profile picture of the author PAH Tim
      Originally Posted by AC21DJ View Post

      The more time I spend reading your replies, the more I think that it is amazing how big of a sucker I was. Luckily no real damage was done and my accounts are now OK.
      Good to hear! I wouldn't feel too silly if I was you. Even the best of us have fallen victim to scams, phishing and the likes at one point or another in our Internet careers.
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    • Profile picture of the author firetrip
      Banned
      [DELETED]
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      • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
        Originally Posted by firetrip View Post

        You didn't do anything wrong. Many people may be rude but when it happens to them I doubt they would be. Congratz that you are now ok and now you can spend some time and educate yourself. The first time is not your fault, the second debatable and the third is... this happens to the best of us at one time you just have to learn from it.
        Yeah, he DID do something wrong. This day and age, it IS his fault - warnings are everywhere about phishing.

        But there's also no need for people to beat him up over it. So he goofed...we all have at some point. How many people would admit to it?

        Glad it worked out with no financial loss. I'm kind of doubtful it was the same person that tagged you on Flippa though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robin Blinds
    I dont get the scammed at flippa part?
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  • Profile picture of the author ArthelJoyVallon
    Can't avoid encountering tons of scams these days, still, its best for you to have general knowledge regarding their modus operandi to avoid falling into unpleasant situations. My mom almost got tricked by these type of scams,twice.. good thing she sought my opinion first. Just have to very vigilant when it comes to these type of things.. seriously, being robbed is one of the last thing you would ever want to go through. Good thing not much damage had been done, except for the headaches it caused, I suppose.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim3
    Originally Posted by AC21DJ View Post


    A few days later I received an email that looked like it came from the bank telling me to click on a link and log into my account to change my password. Like an idiot I clicked on it and without my knowledge that installed malware and spyware on my computer.

    Whatever were you thinking of :confused:

    "It looked like it came from the bank"

    Sorry to say you are serious security risk to your computer.


    Banks never email you for details about anything to do with account info.

    HSBC has never sent me an email in 8 years. All correspondence comes by mail or within my online account

    Advise you read up on keeping safe online.

    starting with...
    Don't open emails from people you don't know,
    NEVER open an attachment or click a link from the same
    Permanently delete anything suspicious
    Always report phishing emails from financial institutions (helps everyone)

    If it's from Paypal make sure it is. Check the header.

    I guess you learned the hard way, hope you didn't lose too much.
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  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    From a certain, "criminal mind" point of view this is quite genius.

    Because via Flippa he got your email.
    You initiated a major purchase, and then you wait for the sale to go through, nothing happens, etc.
    He now also has your bank information.
    You get nervous about the flippa transaction and your money.
    All of a sudden, a scam email arrives telling you about problems with your bank etc..and you are already all worked up, distracted etc. and want to solve the problem with the flippa transaction.

    The "genius" part here is that you get scammed twice, because usually such phishing emails arrive randomly and unexpected...but here you not only potentially lost the money you paid for the "site"...but in addition you get lured into resolving your "problem" via this email "from the bank" since you more or less would expect such an email.

    Yes, you were naive since you clicked..but i think that scam is rather elaborate in how its done.
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  • Profile picture of the author feliciayapsl
    NEVER ever click on an unknown link.
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  • Profile picture of the author katnyc
    I get a lot of phishing scam emails (from banks and from Paypal). I never click on them though, well, I did once just to test my spyware program and it did catch it. All sorts of red pop up warnings appeared saying do not proceed to the site.

    Your bank will NEVER ask for your password via email. Any messages from my bank require me to log on to the bank website and go to the secure inbox.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by AC21DJ View Post

    A few weeks ago I bought a site on Flippa. I paid the seller immediately and waited to receive the website. After 3 days of no communication from the seller, I decided that I would go to the bank and see what could be done about getting my money back. Thankfully, since I paid with a credit card getting the charge removed was no problem.

    A few days later I received an email that looked like it came from the bank telling me to click on a link and log into my account to change my password. Like an idiot I clicked on it and without my knowledge that installed malware and spyware on my computer.

    About a week later my bank calls me and tells me I have been a victim of identity theft and that somebody from Romania has my account numbers and passwords. Romania is where the guy I bought the site from is living. Coincidence, I doubt it. So, for the last few days I have been dealing with all the BS that comes with identity theft. It is such a pain in the butt.

    My question to all you warrior members is.

    Am I the only one dumb enough to fall for this?
    Have any of you had anything similar happen to you?

    I hope the answer to the second question is no. If its not tell me what happened.
    The BEST thing is to get the SOURCE email and cut and past the link from the email ONLY if it is just a normal domain prefixed by https:

    So it should be like:

    https://bnkname.bankstld

    bnkname.bankstld should NOT have an :,?,&,; or a misplaced period. And it MUST be https://

    If a mistake is made, you should get a cert error. If you do, ****ABORT****!

    A FAVORITE in phishing is to use a @ which triggers a bug that last I heard was STILL not fixed. They make it LOOK like you are going to the right URL when you go someone else. ALSO, they may do things like go to bankofamerica.co.uk or bankofamerica.fish.com. They RARELY use https://! The emails should be targeted towards YOU by NAME! OH, the source email should show the primary sender as the BANK! The "from" location is really just a comment. Once it gets past the first computer, it is all but WORTHLESS! The primary sending IP should be associated with the bank! If the "from" says bank of america, and the primary sender says "comcast", you KNOW someone sent it over a TV cable connection, and it was NOT sent from bank of america.

    Some banks now have two pass logins! For bank of america, for example, you must enter your username and location of the bank. It then checks to see if your computer is registered. If your computer is NOT registered, you must register it, which requires giving it a code that they give you through other channels. If your computer is registered, they give you a picture that you gave them earlier. THEN you must enter the password. If the picture is wrong, it may mean they are NOT bank of america!

    If you keep all this in mind, you can avoid most phishing, and STILL not miss things.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author David Maschke
    Question about Phishing:

    Can just clicking on a link in an email do damage? Or does it take actively handing over sensitive information and/or downloading malicious software?
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by David Maschke View Post

      Question about Phishing:

      Can just clicking on a link in an email do damage? Or does it take actively handing over sensitive information and/or downloading malicious software?
      There Is a why to have opening an Email as html cause damage. Happily, it's rare. Clicking a link CAN cause damage though!

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author manderson84
    Yeah,me too done the same without the knowledge,I got a mail form My bank to change the user id and pwd,I thought that it would from my bank,But it's a pishing mail programmed to hake the user control of that account, I lost Around $231.I have filed a complaint regarding this but no use still.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Ouch!!

    Hope you get it sorted out OP. Phishing scams are all over the place, thats why I never click on any link coming from institutions, especially banks...
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  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    Just remember he's the vicitm here....
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  • Profile picture of the author AC21DJ
    GeorgeR has got what I was saying. This scam caused me a lot of trouble and I wish I wasn't so naive but, I think this guy was a genius because I checked the feedback from Flippa on this seller yesterday and he got someone else. The new guy bought before I got my feedback in so he didn't know either.
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