topic Re: Beware of PayPal in Community Chat

Beware of PayPal

zitawins — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:20:27 GMT

I have recently been hacked through PayPal and have had to replace three credit cards because of it. Some scofflaw is trying to purchase through my account, and although my banks are on it, they keep trying. At this point, I am removing all my cards at PayPal's site and will use other means to pay for items.

It's very frustrating, primarily because PP has not acknowledged these attempts--my banks have caught the error. In addition, PP held onto a sum of money for an order that was canceled almost immediately. (A two-month ordeal of emailing them and explaining to an AI bot). It took a complaint I filed with the BBB to rectify this charge.

So, beware of these automatic pay sites.

Re: Beware of PayPal

LavernLuvsShoes — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:28:32 GMT

Thanks for the Heads Up!

Re: Beware of PayPal

m0rgan — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:29:29 GMT

I never leave my credit card on any store I purchase from. I remove the credit card after I receive my merchandise. If I purchase again, I add my credit card back. It's a pain but much safer. I had an incident with Amazon and started this after.

Re: Beware of PayPal

SaveTheTurtles — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:30:56 GMT

I just removed my card from my PP. I don't use PP anymore anyway. I've found that if you need to return something to the store that you paid with PP you don't get your money back right away there is a delay. Thanks for the warning on this!

Re: Beware of PayPal

beckyb1012 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:33:50 GMT

I have been using PayPal since 2005 and have had no problems buying or sending money to people. I feel safer with them and the one credit card on my account is the one I put on there when I opened it. I will not put my checking account on PayPal.

Re: Beware of PayPal

kaydee50 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:04:22 GMT

I had a PayPal account years ago. Didn't like using it and saw no reason for it. Prefer a credit card.

Re: Beware of PayPal

goldensrbest — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:27:22 GMT

I thought paypal was a safe method of payment.

Re: Beware of PayPal

Caaareful Shopper — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:37:50 GMT

PayPal has been extremely safe and effective for me for the past 15 years. I even used them to settle a dispute of funds with a retailer that went out of business but didn't refund my money when they couldn't fulfill my order.

I gave PayPal the purchase information and in 7 days I had my full refund.

Re: Beware of PayPal

ciao_bella — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 18:54:54 GMT

I've had PayPal for many years. Never had any problems with them. Don't use it as much now, though, as I used to.

Re: Beware of PayPal

HiLo — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:37:13 GMT

@zitawins wrote:
I have recently been hacked through PayPal and have had to replace three credit cards because of it. Some scofflaw is trying to purchase through my account, and although my banks are on it, they keep trying. At this point, I am removing all my cards at PayPal's site and will use other means to pay for items.

It's very frustrating, primarily because PP has not acknowledged these attempts--my banks have caught the error. In addition, PP held onto a sum of money for an order that was canceled almost immediately. (A two-month ordeal of emailing them and explaining to an AI bot). It took a complaint I filed with the BBB to rectify this charge.

So, beware of these automatic pay sites.

So happy you posted this warning. The same thing has happened to me more than once in the last several weeks. I was confused until my son warned me about the hacking. The email stated that the charge was made to my Pen Pal account , which I never have had. The number they provide for more information is certainly there but if you call that number they will try to con you into giving them some real information. I have never had another problem because I ignored it all.. To be clear: I don't think any of this was directly from Pen Pal but from hackers using their name. but it can definitely be a problem if one does not realize the true source.

Re: Beware of PayPal

Carmie — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:46:36 GMT

I have been using PayPal forever. I have never had issue with it.

I do get scam e-mail that wants me to sign into my account through the e-mail. I would never do that.

My guess is that you got such an e-mail and gave out your PayPal screen name and password by clicking on the PayPal icon attached to the e-mail.

Paypal is super safe. Your problem was caused by user error. You need to be careful and not fall for these scams.

NEVER sign into any financial institution through an e-mail. More often than not, it is not legitimate.

Re: Beware of PayPal

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:48:51 GMT

@zitawins wrote:
I have recently been hacked through PayPal and have had to replace three credit cards because of it. Some scofflaw is trying to purchase through my account, and although my banks are on it, they keep trying. At this point, I am removing all my cards at PayPal's site and will use other means to pay for items.

It's very frustrating, primarily because PP has not acknowledged these attempts--my banks have caught the error. In addition, PP held onto a sum of money for an order that was canceled almost immediately. (A two-month ordeal of emailing them and explaining to an AI bot). It took a complaint I filed with the BBB to rectify this charge.

So, beware of these automatic pay sites.

@zitawins

Huh? Have you actually SPOKEN TO A HUMAN at Paypal?

I've always found Paypal to be one of the most secure and security conscious sites out there!

Stating above they haven't "acknowledged" seems like you emailed them, or just never bothered to call. If you just emailed them and never followed through, they might have suspected you were attempting a scam. (Just speculation on my part).

If I'm wrong and you HAVE spoken to the security dept at PP, what exactly did they say?

Re: Beware of PayPal

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:50:35 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
I thought paypal was a safe method of payment.

@goldensrbest @zitawins

It was the safest way to buy from sellers on Ebay, so you could make a purchase but they never had your credit card #.

Re: Beware of PayPal

Magicrat — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:24:29 GMT

I've never understood the point of having PayPal. Just don't get it.

Re: Beware of PayPal

LavernLuvsShoes — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:26:47 GMT

@Magicrat wrote:
I've never understood the point of having PayPal. Just don't get it.

It's like having a "secret" bank account that the Hubby isn't aware of.

Re: Beware of PayPal

beckyb1012 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:35:34 GMT

Just sign in with your password to PayPal they in turn pay the retailer or send the money to whomever, then PayPay charges your credit card on the account.

No one but PayPal sees your financial info. The person you are buying from does get your address for shipping the item. That's it.

Re: Beware of PayPal

Carmie — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:51:12 GMT

@Magicrat PayPal is a wonderful service. You can load your CC info, your debit card info, your checking account info. You only load what you want to....don't need to load everything.

When you want to pay for something online, or accept payment from someone, the payment is made or accepted through PalPal ( PP)

They also offer credit themselves have and easypay on every purchase that is paid through them no matter how you choose to pay.

In turn, retailers never get your financial info. It is very helpful if you purchase through Etsy or EBay.

I ordered a mattress for our RV through a factory in California that was over $1000. I paid it off through PP with their easypay. No interest charged.

I wouldn't be without it.

Re: Beware of PayPal

Stray — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:54:26 GMT

I’ve never had a problem with PayPal. I’ve disputed charges for merchandise not delivered & no issue. I feel it’s much safer than putting my CC info on a Website. I only have one CC attached to it.

Re: Beware of PayPal

beckyb1012 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:05:03 GMT

@Stray wrote:
I’ve never had a problem with PayPal. I’ve disputed charges for merchandise not delivered & no issue. I feel it’s much safer than putting my CC info on a Website. I only have one CC attached to it.

Me too. It is nice to only have to update the expiration date of the same card. Simple Simple Simple

Re: Beware of PayPal

Suzeecat — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:13:01 GMT

Years ago I had two instances of identity theft through PayPal, and stopped using it. During Covid I had to use it to collect and pay for some things so I started using it again, and haven't had any trouble, knock on wood. In the meantime, I had several instances where Paypal would send me an email to confirm that I was trying to change my password (I wasn't, so some scoundrel apparently was). The instructions were that if I didn't request it, to not respond, so I didn't. Some people say they have never had a problem with PP, but PP is the one place I have had the MOST problems! Go figure, your results may vary.