Another Paypal Phishing Scam!!

I haven't received one of these in quite some time but today what did I find waiting for me in my inbox!? An email supposedly from Paypal with the subject "Dispute Transaction!" It explained that I had paid $249 for an Apple iPod Video 30 GB MP3 Player. Hmmm.....really? It showed an official looking receipt with Paypal shopping cart contents and shipping info. Then about middle of the way down in boldface type was this "If you haven't authorized this charge, click the link below to cancel the payment and get a full refund". It ended with the usual "Thank you for using Paypal, blah, blah, blah........" and Paypal logo to complete the look of the fraudulent message.

I never click on anything when I get these and neither should you. The thieves would love to get their hands on your password. Go to the Paypal website, log in to your account and check your info from there. I did and I found no such transaction. You can also forward the evil email to spoof@paypal.com and then delete it or if that's too much trouble just hit delete.

Imperial Marketing & Research...SCAM!!

If you receive a letter from Imperial Marketing & Research or some other company stating that you have been selected to participate in a paid Consumer Research Panel as a Mystery Shopper, trash it immediately or contact your Better Business Bureau. This operation is a scam. A coworker of mine was deceived by this and is now out $2,700!!

It works like this. They sent him a professional looking letter along with a check for $3,989.99. He deposited it in his account. His bank told him the check was real! Once the check cleared, his assignment was to go to Wal-mart and buy $100 worth of merchandise. He would be paid $130 for this. The next step was to send a MoneyGram/Western Union in the amount of $3549, which he did. A day or so later he received a call from his bank that the check was counterfeit. Now the scammer has his money and he is in the hole. Magically, this company has fallen off the face of the earth. All attempts to contact them have failed. Imagine that!!

To view a copy of the letter:
http://groups.google.com/group/dont-fall-4-it

Survey Sites That Have Actually Paid

The following are sites that I have had success with.

Greenfield Okay. They send me lots of surveys. Most of them are long and most I don't qualify for so I get an entry into their sweepstakes. I was beginning to give up on them until recently I qualified for a $20 interactive online survey, then another last week. So far I have cashed out $45.

my points Basically a rewards network. Rack up points by shopping at select merchant sites, reading/responding to their emails, taking surveys, and playing on-line games. Doesn't take that long to earn points. Then redeem them for various gift certificates. I redeemed about 1,500 points for a $10 WalMart gift card and have cashed out for $10 Burger King gift card.

opinion outpost Rewarded points for each survey you complete which you redeem for cash. Doesn't take long for points to add up. When your account reaches 50 opinion points you can cash out. (10 opinion points = $1.00). I've cashed out $7.60. Accept members from US and Canada.

survey spot Most of their surveys are for entries into sweepstakes for prizes, but a few are paid. Could be $1 to 5$. To date I have been paid $13. Can cash out at $5. Haven't won anything yet, but I can wait!

testspin Okay. I've received invites for surveys ranging from $1 to $3 but I seem to disqualify for many of their surveys . They pay in Amazon gift certificates. Have to complete enough surveys to cash out at $10. So far I've cashed out twice and I've been with them since August 2007.

These are but a few. I'll be updating this list as more come in.