Beware of Phishing: New SMS Attacks Users of eBay Classifieds | Antivirus

A particularly nasty phishing wave is currently attacking sellers on eBay. Various messages lure consumers into the phishing trap. Affected are users who sell something via the classifieds portal and have given their mobile phone number. We explain how the scammers lure you into the trap via SMS and which SMS / URLs are fraudulent.

 

Everything starts with a seemingly harmless SMS from a supposedly interested party. He asks a question about a product via SMS. That can be a question about price or other mostly general issues. Conveniently, there is a link to the product in the SMS. But be careful, if you click on this link, you are trapping one foot.

 

Important note on current occasion. Many users use the same password for several online services. Also, passwords are often used that are not particularly secure. 

This Is How You Can Recognize the SMS

Once you have an item for sale on eBay classifieds, you are a potential victim for the scammers. They do not contact you by email via the eBay system but use the mobile phone number provided.

 

It is not known whether the mobile phone numbers are actually used for shipping or whether the sender number was forged.

What Can Happen As A Result of This SPAM Message?

If you click on the link in the SMS, you will end up on a fake website. There it is only a matter of your login details for eBay classified ads being stolen. This gives the cybercriminals full access to your account. So far we do not know how to proceed. It is conceivable that the criminals will intervene in communication with prospective customers for your items offered for sale. Alternatively, the fraudsters may sell stolen products or commit other crimes on your behalf.

The criminals use the password of the spied customer account to change it and then post expensive items on behalf of the customer. Potential buyers are then cheated.

 

You Have Logged in - What Should Be Done?

If you have already logged in using such a link, you should do the following immediately:

• You should change the password as soon as possible.
• Check all of the articles that are listed to ensure that everything is correctly specified there. Pay particular attention to the specified phone number.
• Notify eBay Classifieds of the incident. If you can no longer register, you must contact the advertising market immediately.
• We strongly recommend that you change the password for all online accounts where you use the same password.

 

What Can You Do About SMS Spam?

If you receive an unsolicited SMS on your mobile phone, you can file a complaint with the Police. In this case, a check is made to determine whether the number has been misused. This is even more true when a phishing link is sent via SMS.

 

Bonus Tips: Install advanced antivirus to protect your data.