Internet Watchdog Warns of Fake eBay Web Site

Zardon · Dec 11, 2002, 04:08 PM

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Fraudsters trying to steal credit card information from online auction house eBay Inc.'s 55 million users appear to have set up a fake Web site that mimicked the firm, a private Internet watchdog said on Wednesday.
The scam involved e-mails that asked recipients to log on to a Florida-based Web site, ebayupdates.com, and re-enter financial data for eBay, said Dean White, the Asia-Pacific coordinator of a U.S. group, SANS Institute Internet Storm Center.

"Once you've got the credit card information you can use it for everything," White said.

The scam site sported the eBay logo and colors but did not appear to have any connection with California-based eBay, White told Reuters.

Representatives of eBay in Australia were not immediately available for comment, but the company has issued a general warning on its Web site, urging caution over e-mails seeking passwords or credit card numbers.

"Some members have reported attempts to gain access to their personal information through e-mail solicitations that are falsely made to appear as having come from eBay," the company said.

"These solicitations will often contain links to Web pages that will request that you sign in and submit information...eBay employees will never ask you for your password."

The scam e-mail, provided to Reuters by White, is headed "Ebay (sic) billing error" and begins: "Dear Ebay Member, We at Ebay are sorry to inform you that we are having problems with the billing information of your account."

White said the mail, aimed at eBay's registered customers but possibly mass-mailed to other Internet users, began appearing on December 6.

The company hosting the fake Web site on its computers had been informed and by Wednesday the site was unavailable on the Internet.

Security and trust are major issues for e-commerce and Australian banking officials have warned consumers to be especially vigilant about Internet fraud and identity theft over the big spending Christmas period.

ExitiosuS · Dec 12, 2002, 05:17 AM

Gotta love all these weirdos that make these sites... lol!
Always around, and what would we do without 'em? heh... They give me a job... lol

Kelsenellenelvian · Dec 12, 2002, 06:55 AM

That's why I don't shop online. To easy to get screwed.

TWINKY- · Dec 12, 2002, 10:51 AM

dam, that seems bad. I think ill have to go kick them in the nuts

Dec 11, 2002, 04:08 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Internet Watchdog Warns of Fake eBay Web Site SYDNEY (Reuters) - Fraudsters trying to steal credit card information from online auction house eBay Inc.'s 55 million users appear to have set up a fake Web site that mimicked the firm, a private Internet watchdog said on Wednesday. The scam involved e-mails that asked recipients to log on to a Florida-based Web site, ebayupdates.com, and re-enter financial data for eBay, said Dean White, the Asia-Pacific coordinator of a U.S. group, SANS Institute Internet Storm Center. "Once you've got the credit card information you can use it for everything," White said. The scam site sported the eBay logo and colors but did not appear to have any connection with California-based eBay, White told Reuters. Representatives of eBay in Australia were not immediately available for comment, but the company has issued a general warning on its Web site, urging caution over e-mails seeking passwords or credit card numbers. "Some members have reported attempts to gain access to their personal information through e-mail solicitations that are falsely made to appear as having come from eBay," the company said. "These solicitations will often contain links to Web pages that will request that you sign in and submit information...eBay employees will never ask you for your password." The scam e-mail, provided to Reuters by White, is headed "Ebay (sic) billing error" and begins: "Dear Ebay Member, We at Ebay are sorry to inform you that we are having problems with the billing information of your account." White said the mail, aimed at eBay's registered customers but possibly mass-mailed to other Internet users, began appearing on December 6. The company hosting the fake Web site on its computers had been informed and by Wednesday the site was unavailable on the Internet. Security and trust are major issues for e-commerce and Australian banking officials have warned consumers to be especially vigilant about Internet fraud and identity theft over the big spending Christmas period.

Dec 12, 2002, 06:55 AM	#3
Kelsenellenelvian Master of my own Destiny Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: EverDawn Kingdom,TruEarth Posts: 1,394 Rep Power: 0	That's why I don't shop online. To easy to get screwed. __________________ [color=#0000ff] Download Windows Post-Install Wizard v4.3.8 and WPI Lite v1.2 Here [/color][color=red][color=blue][/color][/color]

Dec 12, 2002, 05:17 AM	#2
ExitiosuS Simian Masterpiece! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ont. Canada Posts: 358 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Gotta love all these weirdos that make these sites... lol! Always around, and what would we do without 'em? heh... They give me a job... lol

Dec 12, 2002, 10:51 AM	#4
TWINKY- DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	dam, that seems bad. I think ill have to go kick them in the nuts