posted on March 20, 2001 10:47:56 AM new
I know this is supposed to be a fun and relaxing board but could someone please help a fellow auction seller? Someone who is a member of eBay (I checked) but whom I haven't had any transactions with that I know of) has gone into my Paypal account, changed my password and other information...and then authorized a transfer of funds ($900!) to their account. I am closing my bank account today and my PayPal account is frozen now...but I want to know what I should do to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else (or again to me!) Thanks!
posted on March 20, 2001 11:04:25 AM new
Yikes! Do you know how the person got your PayPal password in the first place?
The only advice I have it to keep your password secure at all times (which I'm sure you already know), and when creating a password always use one which would be impossible for someone to guess or to find with software -- don't use common dictionary words, and use both numbers and letters in your password.
posted on March 20, 2001 11:26:30 AM new
Yes, it seems that RainyBear is right. If this was a stranger, then the only way he/she could have gained access to your account would be to have guessed your password. Chalk this up to an EX$PEN$IVE learning lesson.
Some tips:
Where Possible, include alphabetic characters, neumeric characters, and symbols in your password. For instance: 4a+2b=6c as a password would be nearly impossible to crack. And many passwords are Case Sensitive, so "PeaNuT" is better than "peanut", etc.
posted on March 20, 2001 06:35:38 PM new
Thank you for your comments. Although I know the email address where my money was sent to and the name used....PayPal protects their users by never revealing personal information so I have no idea what state the person even resides in. Also, I found out the person is an eBay bidder (not on my auction, but others) and again...eBay's new contact policy will not reveal information to me unless the person I want to contact has won an auction from me. I am amazed at the emails I've received from people that this same thing has happened to. Nonetheless, I am now convinced that NO ONE should have access to your bank information, credit card numbers or anything to do with transferring money. I only wish I could pay eBay fees with a check instead of automatic withdrawal. Definitely an expensive lesson for me.
posted on March 21, 2001 01:49:25 AM new
You can not get that info as a casual inquiry but if the police go to eBay for you they will release it in a heartbeat as part of a criminal investigation.
