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davidcyclebackThe key is to never follow the links in the emails. Instead go to your web browser, type in eBay.com or PayPal.com, sign and see what's up. If there really is a problem, they will let you know there. If there is no problem, you'll see no problem.
My other test is at the site is to type in the wrong password and see how they react. If it's the real site, the'll say to the effect, "Your pass word or user name is incorrect. Please try again." A spoof site will say to the effect, "Thanks for typing in your password," because they don't know your password. The only way a site can know the password you typed in is incorrect is when they know the correct password. PayPal knows your password, while a scam site does not if you haven't told them.
Heck, even if you're 99% sure you're at the correct PayPal site, it never hurts to start by typing in the wrong password.