mails hacking

Question

I would like to warn people against the hacking on emails.

I have recently experienced it. I was exchanging information on a future trip with an independent travel agent in China and did not realize that his email address had changed in the meantime.

So I sent a deposit on a PayPal account which was not his...

The fake travel agent just haked the real travel agent taking the latest idendity and of course took the money I sent.

Have some of you experienced a similar problem ?

I'll try to be reimbursed via paypal but I doubt it works...

Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Email hacking and impersonation scams have unfortunately become more common, especially in travel transactions where deposits and payments are involved. It's a good idea to share this experience to warn others.

Here are some key points and recommendations based on similar cases:

Always verify the recipient's email address carefully before sending money, especially if the message content or account details have changed. Scammers often use very similar addresses that differ by only one character.
Consider contacting the agent through an alternate method (phone, messaging apps, or official website contact) to confirm payment instructions before sending funds.
When using PayPal or other payment services, enable additional security measures like two-factor authentication and always send payments marked as "goods and services" to ensure some buyer protection.
If a payment is accidentally sent to a fraudulent account, immediately report the transaction to PayPal. Include all details showing you intended to pay the legitimate agent.

Preventive strategies for the future:

Keep a consistent method of communication with the agent and regularly confirm email addresses.
Be cautious of any sudden changes in payment instructions or urgent requests for transfers.
Consider using escrow or verified payment platforms for significant deposits.

Regarding reimbursement, PayPal does have dispute and chargeback options, but success can depend on the circumstances and evidence you provide. Document all communications and act quickly to improve your chances of recovering the funds.

Finally, it's helpful to warn other travelers and agencies about such scams so they can take extra precautions.