Internet Poker / Editor / 27 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

Paypal is one of the safest methods of depositing on Betfair Poker as your credit card details are never shared. However this doesn't stop unscrupulous people trying to get access to your account. Make sure you always protect yourself with the following tips.

Watch out for 'Phishing' emails.

As the only way people can access your Paypal account is by having your email address and password criminals often try to get those details by sending you an email asking for them. Of course it's not as simple as "Dear Sir/Madam, please may we have your Paypal password for this email address?"

Phishing is when you are sent a legitimate looking email pretending to be from the company in question but instead you are entering your details into a hackers database.

You can spot that things aren't what they seem by watching out for these telltale signs.

1) Generic greetings. Both Paypal and Betfair Poker will use the name you have registered with in all correspondence. If an email starts with 'Sir/Madam' or 'valued customer' it is not likely to be a genuine email.

2) A false sense of urgency. Betfair Poker and Paypal will always give you significant notice of an account closure. If an email tells you your account is jeopardy if you don't act now it's not likely to be a genuine email.

3) Spoof URLs. The URL that is written in the email is not the same one that it links to. For example http://www.betfairpoker.com/ just returns you to this page although you think it takes you to Betfair Poker. Be aware that the URL may contain the words Betfair or Paypal and still not be genuine.

4) It's not a secure site. Even if the URL appears to be genuine it should begin with https:// not just http://. If it doesn't it's not secure and all Paypal and Betfair Poker pages dealing with accounts are secure.

5) Spoof Site. Even if you've clicked on the link and it seems to take you through to the genuine site this can just be a cleverly designed way of making you part with your details. If an email prompts you to take action that you think you must, always open a new browser and go directly to the Paypal or Betfair Poker site before entering your details.

6) MOST IMPORTANT - We will never ask for your details. Betfair Poker and Paypal already have your details from when you signed up, we don't need you to give them again although we would ask that you periodically check them. Never divulge any information in an email.

Follow these simple checks and you should never have a problem with Paypal.

For more information check out these links.
Wikipedia Article on phishing
Paypal's guide to spoof emails

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