Anybody got anything bad to say about PayPal?

Question

I don't feel good about giving out my credit information on-line.

Answer 1

let me be the first to say... you are justified in your fear "about giving out my credit information on-line."

I too do not ever use my credit card over the internets, this is partly because I am a hacker and I understand that this type of information is simply not secure by any means...


FIRST OFF.... the motto of the veteran hacker is as follows...

"the most insecure system, is the one most commonly in use"

This is what I have found to be true in my own studies. Just the very name "PayPal" (which seems to be respected the world round) make it a high risk target. But in your case, the biggest risk here is not going to be the company that has a full staff of engineers and technicians working around the clock to help keep "their" information safe and secure, the biggest risk here is going to be YOU! Just by the very nature of your question I would be willing to bet that you would not even notice that information has been taken from you, until it was too late.


Now... how to get informations?

Here are a few ways to gain this information...

Key Loggers- Keyloggers are a simple program that simply logs keystrokes (keys that are hit on your keyboard) and stores them in a place that one can gain access to them when they are needed (for example automatically code the program to send you any passwords/ip/sam files/credit card numbers/ etc/// using email) This is one of the most effective means to gain such information.

sniffing/cracking ssl/etc etc- sniffing is the act of listening to the information that your computer is sending to another computer, and also listening to how the other computer responds to your sent data. Pay Pal boasts of its secure "ssl" encryption method, so yes... please feel safe to send your information for people listening to the transmission will be "un able to understand" the transmission due to the fact it is encrypted (um... in a different language that only the pay pal language will be able to understand). This does not INSURE that the information you send can not be "cracked" or "decoded". If one were to use the same rules of that of ssl encryption, you will be able to understand it, just as the pay pal server will be able to understand it.



Phishing- due to the fact that PayPal is so well known, you are more at risk of giving your account information to the incorrect people. Phishing is the art of creating a website that looks identical to that of (lets say...) paypal... so you get an email saying...

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Account information needed...
Body: please follow the link below and signin and update your account, if you do not update this information your service will be turned off. Thank you, paypal.com

link: paypal.webspace.net/update/information/service



when you go to the link you are directed to a web page that looks like paypals website and when you put in your information you are really sending it to someone other then paypal...








So In short... understand the risks, and once you understand the risks (which are way to high for me, personaly) you are make the choice in what data you send to what server...


and anyone who says "there are no risks in using pay pal", they are just the people, that people like me, take advantage of.


good luck

Answer 2

I have been with PayPal about four years and I can say I have never had a problem with my dealings.

There are some who say they have had trouble, but usually it was something they either failed to do, or should have done.

The credit information that you give them is encrypted and protected in everyway possible.

Read all the information they give you regarding your PayPal. They have very good information and give you a step by step on various ways to protect yourself.

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

No, paypal is awesome; it is completely secure and it is the only thing i use or would recommned using when purchasing online. they eliminate fraud, b/c most of the sellers that accept paypal are legitimate b/c if there not they will get in trouble plus paypal is secure in that if something does happen they will refund you the money, yes it can take a while but at least your not out of pocket , and they guarantee up to $1,000. So have faith and get an account you want regret it i have been using them for at least 3 years, and no unpleasant incidences yet.

Answer 4

Paypal is totally safe if you plan on buying or selling items with prices that aren't too high. There have been many instances where people's checking accounts have been cleaned out by Paypal for reasons, such as dishonest buyers/sellers, shipping mishandling, and scams. Check out this site: http://www.aboutpaypal.org But don't let that stop you from setting up an account, I've had one for years now without a single problem.

Answer 5

I've bought quite a lot of models on Ebay and feature now not had a trouble. I determine the dealers rankings and feedback from prior folks who did industry with them earlier than I bid on an object. There is a chance, as there's a chance with any online purchases that you simply would have not on time delivery or a sham internet web page and become now not getting the object and being taken for cash.

Answer 6

PayPal is the most trustable way to use your credit card online. Always shop with paypal, if you can.

Answer 7

I've had a couple of identity theft scares with PayPal. The people didn't get anything, but they came really close. It's not a secure site to use at all.

Answer 8

paypal itself is safe, but you will get people sending fake emails from them saying follow link, then log in.
the site you get sent to is not paypal, then they got your login and rip you! always check the url before logging on to any site!
I have used paypal a lot and find it ok, i suppose.
only because its the only major one to trust, but beware all the bloody charges for currency convertion and credit card payments, they dont do anything for free.
they are also owned by ebay, who are also cash grabbin tozzers but again, the only big boy on the field.

Answer 9

Why not? Don't you give your credit card or debit card to waitresses, store clerks, etc?.

Paypal is fine...I've had over 600 transaction paying with them and with zero problems.

Answer 10

Don't use anything but paypal when ur shopping online! Ne other way is dangerous!