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Beware: New Phishing Scam Targeting Alibaba.com Users

Published: 11 Aug 2009 22:28:27 PST

Recently we've noticed a new email scam targeting Alibaba.com users. The email claims that Alibaba.com has just upgraded its security and database system and you need to verify your account again. Once you clicked the link in the mail, you'll be directed to a FAKE Alibaba.com webpage that requires you to enter your user name and password.

If you received an email like this, PLEASE IGNORE IT. This email is a scam that intends to steal your personal information. After stealing your user name and password, they will use your identity to cheat other users on Alibaba.com.

Here's an example:

Important Inconsistency Points:

A. Non-personal general greeting

Genuine Alibaba.com emails will always start with a salutation in your name. If you received an email from us with a general greeting, you can be very sure it is a fraud.

B. Usage of 'Alibaba' instead of 'Alibaba.com'

We always refer to ourselves as Alibaba.com, not Alibaba.

C. Grammatical or typing mistakes

Scam emails usually have grammatical or typing mistakes. Please look carefully at any emails that you received. If it looks bad, you can be sure it's not from Alibaba.com

D. Threatening your Alibaba.com account status

Unless you're a scammer, Alibaba.com WILL NEVER THREATEN YOUR ACCOUNT STATUS. We will NEVER attempt to intimidate you into 'urgent action' by threatening to close your account unless you submit sensitive information to us.

E. Fake links or URL addresses

Phishing scams will have links or URLs directing you to fake Alibaba.com sites. Please make sure the links you are directed to begin with: www.alibaba.com

If you think you may have been a victim of email fraud, contact our service team by email at alibaba@service.alibaba.com and sign in to My Alibaba to change your password immediately. To learn more about fraud emails, please go to: http://news.alibaba.com/article/list/1/stop-scam-emails.html.