Shane

I have received a number of those "paypal alerts" and I always respond to them with a picture of my favorite handgun.

V-Fib

Well, I just found out that I have been hit with Paypal fraud to the tune of just over $700.00. Three individuals (or maybe one using alias's) hit my bank account through Paypal. The transactions are under investigation, and have been reversed pending review. I still am out the $700.00 until and IF "they" decide they are fraudulant. I recieved an email from Paypal last night saying there had been some suspicious activity on my account. I went to the Paypal site and found someone had changed some of my "profile" informaton. I do have the 3 persons email address's, and am pondering sending them a "NICE" email. I should probably not contact them directly, though. Trying to steal from me has made me extremely hostile!
BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE!!!!!!!! PAYPAL IS NOT A SAFE WAY TO SEND MONEY. DO NOT USE YOUR CHECKING ACCOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic
(mad as hell)

SteveG

Anthony: Early on I had an account with Paypal. Then they asked for bank access. I haven't responded or used them since. I'm not implying they had anything to with your fraud, but your experience is exactly why I will not have anything to do with Paypal.

Lizard928

hey anthony, there are ways to get there ip address by there e-mail address and from there IP address you can actually find out where they live, and even have there ISP ban them and turn off there net once the activity has been proven, and then with there address you can press charges and sue them.

V-Fib

All 3 transactions were within a few minutes of each other. I'm guessing it's the same person, and all 3 Email accounts are probably fraudulant too. If anyone knows how to do what Lizard suggests, Let me know, I would love to contact them in person...face to face.

Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic

V-Fib

The three email addresses were for 3 sellers. They have sent me emails asking to return their money for the products that were purchased. The email address that was used to purchase fraudulently was rikkado91@hotmail.com. Of course it is no longer valid, as I sent him a personal invitation to discuss this matter face to face, and it was returned.
All 3 of the sellers did not pick up on the fact the items were to be sent to a non confirmed address, a different email address, and different account user (owner) name. More to come........



Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic

atb

Anthony,

Was the money taken from your actual checking account?, or was it money that you had in your PayPal Account? Would it help to keep a minimum amount with PayPal and transfer funds to your bank as soon as they are received at PayPal?

V-Fib

These were drawn from my checking account, through Paypal. I always keep my Paypal balance at 0.00

Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic

V-Fib

The three transactions were to buyers on Ebay, and fortuantely for them and myself, they had not shipped. I immediately received emails from the buyers that I pay up or they would lodge complaints, ect. I emailed them back explaining that Paypal reversed the payments, not me. Paypal was able to verify the orders did not come from my IP address and shipping was to an unconfirmed address. The email address used was also unconfirmed. I received my $700.00 back today, after 17 days. My advice:

Do not use any form of your ID user Name as a password

Do not use a word in the dictionary for a password

Use both upper and lower case letters AND at least 1 number

Do not use the same password for more than one site/account

Change your passwords periodically

Keep a written list in a safe place with your multiple passwords

Although you may notify your Banking Institution as I did, be aware, they cannot help you get your money back. I was not able to get the Bank to block any more Paypal transactions, as that would have to be done by Paypal

If you can avoid it, DO NOT GIVE YOUR BANKING INFORMATION TO ANYONE! USE A CREDIT CARD! You have more consumer rights using the plastic.

If anyone can give more expertise in avoiding fraud, please post. It might save someone else from the same fate.
Just remember...."It always happens to someone else"....... Yeah, Right





Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic