Author Topic: Paypal (Read 109 times)

David Houck · « **on:** February 19, 2009, 10:04:31 PM »

Someone stole my paypal account info to make two purchases this evening. As soon as I received emails from paypal confirming payments on the first transaction from my account, I logged on to paypal, filed claims, and was able to block the payments. While I was filing the claims, and before I could change my password, he made another transaction with a different seller. I then secured my account before he could use it again, and filed a claim on the new transaction. The sellers this guy was buying from also were alerted when I filed my claims, and thus did not send him anything of value.

I called paypal and was assured that no funds were actually transferred from my account. And the emails I received from the sellers (the sellers got my email address from paypal when they were notified of my payment) confirmed the payments had been blocked. I've corresponded with both sellers about what happened, and both understand that I was not the buyer but the victim of a stolen account.

My main concern at the moment is how this person got my account information. That's really troubling.

I am fortunate that I was here at the laptop when the emails from paypal started coming in, and I was able to respond before the funds were actually transferred.

So my second concern will be what would have happened had I been away from the computer long enough for the payments to have been made.

This is going to take some thought.

It seems to me, that if he was making the second transaction while I was blocking the first, we both must have been logged into my account at the same time. I'm a bit confused about that.

This is going to take a lot of thought.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2009, 01:00:30 AM »

Last year I had my Ebay account hacked into and contacted the police. Although my Paypal account was not compromised the police advised me to cancel my credit card as a safety precaution and get a new account.

What i was angry about was, how difficult it was to find the information from the ebay site to notify them of this problem.
Then ebay stupidly sent a copy of the password reset details for my account..... to my ebay message folder as well as to my email address so... surprise surprise, the hacker also got the change notification and used it before I was able to.

Eventually it got all resolved.

But it has made me lose confidence in shopping on-line.

I think the way the person got into my account was via a bogus ebay email so when I clicked the link it took me to somewhere else that looked like ebay, and when I logged in, they kept my details.

I'm normally more dilligent than that but got caught out that time.
Now I don't click on any links from emails that take me to any web sites where I have to log in with a userid and password.

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2009, 01:26:34 AM »

Whenever I get email from ebay, paypal, or just about any vendor that has my info, I NEVER click on a link in the email. I always try to log onto the site from my browser, and check for messages there.

Sorry you had to go through the hassle, Dave. I know from experience it's not fun. I recently discovered that some checks had been stolen from the backs of my checkbooks and nearly $5K had been cashed when I caught it. The bank was actually quite helpful and reimbursed me in about a week.
You have to remember the words of the Sgt. in Hill Street Blues: be careful out there

Bill, tgo

artswork99 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2009, 05:28:09 AM »

That sucks... sorry to hear this.

olieoliver · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2009, 06:53:59 AM »

WOW, this is troubling because I can believe that you?re very meticulous about guarding such info Dave. If you find out how they got the info please let us know.

OO

spose · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2009, 07:02:52 AM »

I just changed my PP password.

thanks for sharing Dave..

David Houck · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2009, 07:10:58 AM »

When I talked to paypal last night, the rep suggested two ways that the information could have been taken. The first was that a virus was on my computer; the second was a phishing email. I never click on email links; however, my office mate has been helping with my ebay/paypal transactions, so when she comes in later today we'll go back through the paypal emails to see if she might have clicked through one. The idea of a virus is much more troubling. I keep my computers well protected, but I have read in the past that there are some viruses that are undetectable. The virus scenario is very concerning and would indicate an unresolved and ongoing breech. Given the facts of the attempted transactions, the phishing scenario would seem more likely, excepting that I never click through links in emails. I hope to get a better handle on these questions this afternoon.

flaxattack · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:51:19 AM »

phishers are so adept at making their emails look real that it totally scare the livin piss out of ya. i constantly get sent chase cc emails about fraudulent activitity. thing is i never activated my chase cc. each creditor has an email address to send phishing emails to. i use them as often as possible. the only time i got beat was early on in my computing life with aol and i caught it right after i hit the send button. i use norton 360 and they have caught a few emails and advise not to open. 2 weeks ago i went and bought a new bed set and later that day i withdraw 500 from my acct via bank atm- the following day i got a call from citi advising me that my card has been put on hold pending an investigation of possible fraudulent activity. i was notified by email and had to call into citi and go over my charges for the past 3 months. the interviewer got to the 2 above and said he thought this is where the problem was- after i confirmed the 2 hits they reactivated my card. i realize this isnt paypal but it shows how some creditors monitor your activity. such a wonderful world we live in.

white_cloud · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2009, 11:14:11 AM »

I have never personally had any trouble with my paypal account - however this thread is extremely troubling!

I have had a couple of real issues with ebay of late though - their attitude and general apathy really concerned me...as well as the barriers they put it my way when trying to expose a fraudulent/dishonest seller.

Ebay need to get their house in order/finger out, stop turning a blind eye to scammers and try to police their auctions more to protect the vulnerable buyer imho.

John.

xlrogue6 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2009, 09:36:33 PM »

I cancelled my Paypal account 2 months ago when the same thing happened to me. When I got the emails about the bogus transactions I put stop payments on them with my bank, which turned out to be well worth the cost because Paypal attempted to withdraw the funds, even though I had advised them that the transactions were fraudulent. Even if the funds were only gone for a couple of days I would have bounced checks and compounded the PITA factor. It took two weeks for Paypal to complete their investigation and allow me to close my account. Add to this their recent policy change allowing them to hold funds for 3 weeks after an auction closes and I quickly concluded that I didn't need Ebay or Paypal anymore--especially given that Ebay seems to have largely been transformed from a reliable source of good deals to a truly astounding collection of people willing to pay top dollar plus for just about anything.

olieoliver · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2009, 01:48:21 PM »

I went ahead and cancelled my Paypal account. I don't use it that often and their fees are too stinkin' high.

The last basses I sold on ebay the fees were crazy. By the time eBay and paypal get their fees(aren't they owned by the same people) you've lost 10% of your sale PLUS they make you wait for 2 to 3 weeks on high risk items like musical instruments.

Not worth the hassle.

OO

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2009, 02:05:34 PM »

I cancelled my PayPal account a few years ago after I received numourous 'Phishing' e-mails.

2400wattman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2009, 03:55:26 PM »

Any alternatives to Pay Pal?

David Houck · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2009, 04:05:43 PM »

Adam; not that I am aware of.

zezozeceglutz · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2009, 04:51:30 PM »

Anyone remember BidPay?

They made it easy for everyone to be happy while destroying their business. Any time a buyer tried to charge back for items not received, BidPay ate the loss and let the dishonest seller keep the money. I wonder why they failed...

Paypal's all that's left, unfortunately, and it's just getting harder and harder for sellers to jump through all of their hoops. Add in security concerns, fees, etc. and you long for the ol' money order in an envelope approach.

Author Topic: Paypal (Read 109 times)

white_cloud