Unauthorized Use of my PalPal account

**mtomm**[$] · #1 02-23-2004, 12:44 PM

I am alone here or has anyone else ever had their Paypal Account stolen from. It was a significant amount, over $1000. I never received a confirmation e-mail from Paypal, I just happen to check my bank account and noticed it was severly anemic. I have reported it to Paypal...but this is really scary to me. I am wondering how it happened??

**lynnzop**[$] · #2 02-23-2004, 12:47 PM

Yikes, no I haven't.

Did you accidently respond to one of those "look-alike" emails with a password?

Hope everything is worked out quickly. That's a chunk of change to have disappear.

**mtomm**[$] · #3 02-23-2004, 12:54 PM

Nope, haven't received any Paypal emails!

**mtomm**[$] · #4 02-23-2004, 01:28 PM

Just found the following quote on a paypal fraud website:

Quote:

Like Microsoft, PayPal is the latest victim of internet hackers. Despite the company’s seemingly perfect security system, a serious security flaw in PayPal’s ACCOUNT VERIFICATION SYSTEM has been discovered by a few experienced hackers from Russia. The hacking process has been simplified a while ago and it was revealed on a Russian language hacking website at:
: http://vir.ru/index.html

The subject of my unauthorized Paypal transaction is: Belokrilov

That looks pretty damn Russian to me. :stormy:

Whether this is all true or not I don't know but I'm not very happy right now. And I feel stupid.

*emeleel* · #5 02-23-2004, 01:50 PM

Oh, honey, I'm so sorry! Unfortunately, yes, I have heard of people getting into Paypal accounts and taking money. Sorry, I don't know what all steps you need to take to get this fixed - if you can. {{{HUG}}}

**theworm**[$] · #6 02-23-2004, 02:01 PM

are you somehow protected? Will paypal give you your money back?
I never keep cash in my account. Even if its a few bucks, I transfer it to the bank. Can they get into our bank accounts of credit card money?
I hope you get your money back in full and quickly.
That sucks!

**mtomm**[$] · #7 02-23-2004, 03:13 PM

I have started the process of getting a refund from Paypal. Also the person whose email was attached to this transaction emailed me and asked that I not reverse the transaction. Needless to say I wasn't very nice when I responded! However, they claim they signed up for a new "service" at a website www.webbizmate.com and that the fraud must have been from that. He said he was going to credit back my account today. We'll see. I am off to the post office to mail the paperwork to Paypal so they can refund the money.

When the money is back into my account I'm either doing away with my paypal account or change the way I have it setup. I mostly use it to pay Amy $2 a month for my premium membership!

Since this happened I decided to cancel a credit card that I wasn't using and was talking to the CS guy on the phone, last month he was also frauded on his Paypal account. So this really makes me wonder about security. Normally I am such a trusting person...

Magick1 · #8 02-23-2004, 04:58 PM

Unfortunately, you cannot trust anyone or anything it seems.

If there is someone that wants to make a quick profit, at other's expense, it will happen one way or another.

The sad part, like those affected by credit fraud, are the people they hit. They are losing the most: hours, money, and energy trying to correct the muck up that these creeps leave for the innocent bystanders.

((((Margo))))

**mtomm**[$] · #9 02-23-2004, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the hugs Kim. It has been quite a feat explaining this whole thing to my non-tech savvy husband. "Pay what? You use it for what?" And we were just having a discussion yesterday how he is so much more cautious....ugh.

Paypal must spend a fortune on this kind of stuff. The dishonesty is a mystery to me.

brian_igo · #10 02-24-2004, 09:54 AM

Anyone else drop everything to check their Paypal account?

Good luck on this Margo. Please keep us posted on how the reimbursement/refund goes.

Brian
(okay...for now)

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #11 02-24-2004, 10:10 AM

Me no do Paypal. Me happy. I'm just not a trusting person with some of the online banking, although I'll use my OWN bank's website from home with no problem or worries.

(((Margo)))

**mtomm**[$] · #12 02-24-2004, 11:16 AM

I am still confused on some things... like why I never received any emails about the transaction taking money from my bank account and the payment to Eddie?? I have always gotten an email when I pay my premium membership. How did someone get my password? Does someone inside Paypal sell them?

Quote:

Anyone else drop everything to check their Paypal account?

That's funny, but probably smart.

Quote:

Me no do Paypal. Me happy. I'm just not a trusting person with some of the online banking, although I'll use my OWN bank's website from home with no problem or worries.

I may be joining your ranks!

**lynnzop**[$] · #13 02-24-2004, 11:35 AM

I don't keep any money in my PayPal account...I have them transfer it out as soon as I get any in there.

I was thinking they had taken it out of your bank account via PayPal.

**mtomm**[$] · #14 02-24-2004, 05:58 PM

Quote:

I was thinking they had taken it out of your bank account via PayPal.

That is what happened. I have never had money in a Paypal account. This is what I need to change.

Magick1 · #15 02-24-2004, 09:20 PM

Oh boy.

Any updates as far as what paypal is doing, has done, or communication from them regarding this issue?

nicholmere · #16 02-25-2004, 09:28 AM

Quote:

mtomm said

like why I never received any emails about the transaction taking money from my bank account and the payment to Eddie??

Did they change your e-mail address before they took the money?

**mtomm**[$] · #17 02-25-2004, 10:23 AM

Nope, it was and still is my email address.

This morning the "Seller" cancelled the payment! So now I just have to wait for Paypal to send the money back to my savings account.

Question: how come it only takes Paypal minutes to take the money out of my bank but 3-4 days to return the money to my bank?

**mtomm**[$] · #18 02-25-2004, 10:29 AM

Oh, and I just received the confirmation email that they are transfering funds to my bank. Hmmm.

Magick1 · #19 02-25-2004, 11:27 PM

At least they are getting it taken care of now! It amazes me too why it takes so long to get money back into an account. I think they do it to earn interest on your money.

But, at least it's getting resolved.

Wonder if they are going to pursue the "seller" and get him on fraud or something.

*emeleel* · #20 03-11-2004, 11:43 AM

Well, add me to the list.

I got ripped for $480.00 this morning. Thankfully, I did receive a reciept from PayPal, and happened to check my regular email first thing this morning, so I got it early. (I don't always check my email first thing, I usually log on to the net first.)

Since my PP account is set up to charge a remaining balance to my credit card, it didn't go to my bank account. After changing my PP password and security questions, and disputing the claim, I then called the credit card company. I have to *close* my account with them, even though the bad guy did not get my card number, it was just an automatic transaction because there wasn't a high enough balance in my PP account. But when you file a fraud claim, they *have* to close the account. Luckily, it was just pending at the card, so it shouldn't be as difficult to reverse.

I don't know what I'll do after this is all straightened out. Margo, did you get yours successfully straightened out?

wivabef · #21 03-11-2004, 11:53 AM

I'm relieved that I never attached my bank account to the PayPal system. I use it so little that I just have the basic set up... the one that gives you a 2000 dollar limit. I received e-mail from PayPal saying they have made my account inactive and if I want to use it again I have to give them all my personal information again. YEAH RIGHT. I don't trust them as far as I can throw them. I have to do this even if I want to close the account. I just called Discover card (the only account attached to the Paypal account) and told them not to hand out anything to Paypal.