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Author Topic: PAYPAL users beware...  (Read 2366 times)

CRSmith

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PAYPAL users beware...
« on: June 09, 2003, 05:41:59 PM »
Recently, I opened an e-mail from the good folks at PAYPAL, notifying me that my account's credit card had been charged over $400 for an item I never purchased. I didn't recognize the supposed seller as anyone I've ever dealt with. Actually, I hadn't used PAYPAL since January. A second e-mail notified me of a credit to my account for the same amount a day later. So I called PAYPAL, which is a toll call, and spent over 35 minutes on the phone trying to see what happened and why. I talked to three different people, spent well over half of that 35 minutes on hold, and at the end of all discussions, I was no closer to finding out how someone could access my account without my approval on a supposedly secure web site. They blamed the occurrence on "hackers" and suggested I merely change my password. With no assurance that this could not happen again, I was forced to cancel my credit card and terminate my PAYPAL account. If you use PAYPAL, pay attention to your account.

 

Jeffrevs

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2003, 09:24:44 AM »
probably doesn't happen often, but .......that is why I never had a PAYPAL account and never will......

glad you got it straightened out.....
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JEFF

Kevin

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2003, 09:33:50 AM »
I stop using paypal. There are some better services out there onlin now. Paypal does not protect its premier business accounts. I sold something on ebay for over $200. Person paid with paypal. I sent the item. Over 3 months later paypal took the $200+ out of my account. The buyer filed a complaint claiming they returned the item. They never returned the item. I read through paypals rules and it said the person only had 30 days to dispute a charge. I emailed and called paypal. Both times they said their policy is to always take the buyers word over the sellers and that by being a premier business account I do not have the protection of a nonpremier member. I asked why would a premier member have less protection than a nonpremier member. They just said that is our policy.
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Winning and Losing are both very temporary things. Having done one or the other, we move on. Gloating over Victory or Sulking in Defeat is a good way to Stand Still.

Rock77

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2003, 10:02:02 AM »
Thanks for the warning, I just closed my paypal account!! Plus the fees they started charging are ridiculous!!
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Rock77

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2003, 12:19:59 PM »
Yoshi, this is a bowling forum, not a singles chat line!! As for other methods, there is billpay which works well.
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How am I supposed to knock all 10 down with one ball?!?

mumzie

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #5 on: June 10, 2003, 12:39:12 PM »
As a seller, BidPay is horrible. They send notices right away that a money order is on it's way, but we've had them take up to 3 weeks to arrive. Meanwhile the buyer is anxious to receive their merchandise, they've already seen the amount posted to their credit card, and we haven't shipped on the say-so of an approval email.

Regarding PayPal - there was an email sent out that I got a few weeks ago, and my hubby got a couple of days ago. It said "click here to validate your account name and password".
It looked like a valid paypal message, smelled valid, and quacked like it was valid. But it wasn't. I imagine millions of people fell for it.
So the "bad" isn't paypal - it's the bad guys out there. I like paypal, use it often for buying, selling, and collecting my tournament group entries when someone wants to use a credit card.

Also - Kevin - when a complaint is filed with Paypal, you get a notice, and have a certain amount of time to respond. I believe it's 30days, but I could be wrong. With several thousand paypal transactions, there's been one complaint filed against us, and with our response, and documentation, (proof of mailing, delivery, etc), it was settled in our favor.

I know some people that don't like Paypal, and I'm not thrilled that they're now owned by Ebay, but it's a great service!
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livespive

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2003, 01:02:59 PM »
I have a card especially for internet purchasing.

Basically, just got a card with a $500 limit because I am not going to buy
more than that online.  Next set up to pay your bills online.
Then with my first purchase I leave it one the card until time for the next one,
then I pay it down and use the card.  This way the card always has about $300-400 on it.  If anyone ever gets you number they will not be able to charge much.
Sure you have to pay the intrest on the balance, but I look at it like insurance.

Mumzie
In order to validate your paypal account, paypal deposits money in your account, then you have to log on and tell them how much was depostied.  So you have to be the one to initiate the validation process, not them.
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Eric T. Spivey, P.E.
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Edited on 6/10/2003 3:14 PM

ClutchClay

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2003, 07:31:15 PM »
The way I handle PayPal is to provide an American Express Private Payment (single-use) card number.  Then, when I make an online purchase that requires PayPal, I give my PayPal account info to the seller and enter the single-use number on the PayPal site.

I have never had a problem with PayPal operating this way.

ClutchClay

Bjaardker

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2003, 09:22:27 PM »
quote:
I agree, but could someone tell me what other online resources are available as better options to paypal?


Angel,

One of online resources similar to paypal that is picking up a lot of steam is:

www.c2it.com

It's run by Citibank/Citigroup. Having the backing of an institution like that helps people feel quite a bit more secure.

Kevin

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #9 on: June 10, 2003, 09:58:13 PM »
Mumzie, I did respond the same day I recieved notice through email.
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Winning and Losing are both very temporary things. Having done one or the other, we move on. Gloating over Victory or Sulking in Defeat is a good way to Stand Still.

drillwizard

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Re: PAYPAL users beware...
« Reply #10 on: June 10, 2003, 11:19:32 PM »
Wow  I have used paypal for over 2+ years a ton of times with no problems, but am starting to wonder after I read some of the stuff on those sites mentioned above.

I will keep a much better eye on my account than ever before.