My paypal account was compromised!!

[rollinhonda]

You never want to put yourself in a position where you lose sight of your CC. I only let waiters, etc. handle cash.
Dishonest employees are in a perfect position to sharpen their skills.

[groupset]

I'm far less concerned about handing my card in person to someone (e.g.; a waiter) than I am in using it to buy things online - because in a FTF transaction, even though the person could be surreptitiously using a card reader on your card before handing it back to you at least you know who's looking at your card and there are generally other employees and managers around who will hopefully keep them honest. You have no idea who or how many on the other end of a faceless online transaction has access to your credit card info you input on their web site. You have to use credit cards in this era, however, so monitor your accounts and report any suspicious activity on them immediately.

[speedlever]

I monitor my CC accounts via Quicken. I enter the receipts and every few days connect online and download all transactions and match them up.

[k757]

good tip about getting a mobile code authentication on Paypal purchase. I signed up.

Thanks

[rollinhonda]

Using mobile auth. codes, Quicken and other free money managers it is easy to track your charges. You can also set limits on most cards to trigger a warning via phone, email, etc. if there is charge over an expected amount. The tools are out there, you just have to use them and be cautious.

[cdepuydt]

I've only had one dispute with PP and I was not satisfied with how long it took them to resolve the dispute; especially when it was obvious the person was playing games with me/PP and trying to delay any action against them.

I ordered an item through this person, via a auction site, as soon as I won the item, I payed via PP. It took them a very long time to supply me with a shipping tracking number and the item ended up being shipped to an address in Detroit. Doing some searches, using the power of the internet and such, I was able to figure out the person had the item shipped to themselves and, once they received the item, all communication stopped.

IMHO it took PP too long to address the situation, so I disputed the item with my CC company, and got my money back that way. Long story short, NEVER pay with a savings or checking account through PP. ALWAYS use a CC.

I agree, in these days where anybody can be anybody on the internet, and there are a lot of just plain dishonest people, or just plain crooks out there, PP is a necessary evil. I only use it when absolutely necessary and always pay with a CC.

[Sparkland]

Originally Posted by k757

good tip about getting a mobile code authentication on Paypal purchase. I signed up.

Thanks

That is first thing I did also, after reading these suggestions. Told my sister and brother about getting the mobile authentication code also.

Thanks

[MikeVT]

Originally Posted by xridgelinex

I have a separate bank account just for internet purchases that I tied to my PayPal account. If I know I want to make a purchase I add money to that account. Otherwise it sits with the minimum daily balance requirement of a $1.

I do the same ... a separate bank account and credit card for online purchases. I also have a separate account for direct deposit from my employer. Like most their direct deposit works both ways .. ie they can take and give. If they can pull money back for whatever reason. As soon as the money is deposited I move it into unrelated account that they cannot touch.

If I shouldn't have gotten the money I will return it, I just want to OK it first.

[Sparkland]

Update: Nothing is resolved as of yet. I called "drugstore.com" and "payapl." Paypal said they could not do anything until drugstore.com actually grabbed the money from my account. It has been a week and it is still showing as a debit pending. Hopefully this works out in my favor. My wife would say that is only way to keep me from spending money!

Merry Christmas!!

Brad

[kevin_stevens]

Originally Posted by xridgelinex

I have a separate bank account just for internet purchases that I tied to my PayPal account. If I know I want to make a purchase I add money to that account. Otherwise it sits with the minimum daily balance requirement of a $1.

You should do this with all recurring payments that you set up. It's usually free. Just set up a separate checking account with your bank, and fund it with transfers from your "real" account as necessary. You'd have to be nuts to give AT&T or the cable company direct withdrawal access to your primary checking or savings account.

KeS