We have received several reports of unrecognized, bogus PayPal account creation attempts using @berkeley.edu email addresses.

Example of the Message:

We believe the emails were collected from a public source, like the website directory, and the bad actors are trying to use them to create accounts.

• Follow up with the sender separately.
• Our office would encourage you to report this to PayPal directly by following these instructions:

PayPal Help and Support https://www.paypal.com/selfhelp/home

Received a payment, money request, or invoice you don’t recognize? We'll never ask for your password or financial details by phone, text, or email. Forward suspicious emails or messages to phishing@paypal.com and delete them. Only call us using the number on our Contact Us page (1-888-221-1161) or in the PayPal app.

To close the unauthorized account, email: UnsolicitedEmail@paypal.comYou will need to email us using the email address that is receiving PayPal emails.

• Include a statement acknowledging you do not have a PayPal account and would like your email removed from the PayPal system.

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