Phishers are pretending eBay may close as a ruse to
tempt users into handing over their log-in details.
Internet security firm Sophos said the new scam claimed that the
auction website would close for business on 27 February. The
e-mails ask recipients to vote on whether they agree with the
decision.
According to the message, 50% of eBay members must disagree for
the site to stay open. However, clicking on a voting link takes the
recipient to a phishing website that poses as eBay, and which is
designed to steal information from users.
Sophos said the phishing website was hosted on a hacked server
belonging to a UK law firm.
Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, said,
"It's unlikely that many people will believe that such a successful
website as eBay is considering calling it quits, but they might
think it is a teaser campaign by the auction giant for some other
kind of promotion.”
Last year, Sophos reported that more than 75% of all phishing
e-mails were targeted at customers of eBay or its PayPal
subsidiary.
More information:
eBay phishing e-mail
UK 070 numbers used in lottery e-mail
scams
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