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Found out this evening when I got home from work that my paypal account was hacked, along with my email address where they apparently changed the filters so I wouldn’t receive the emails telling me there was activity going on in my Paypal.
All sources of funding have been removed from that account and the two credit cards reported as compromised and fraud investigations opened on the unauthorized charges. Lord knows what I’ll need to do with my bank account, guess we’ll see Monday.
Passwords have been changed all around.
Has anybody else had this problem and managed to get back on the horse, so to speak? I need Paypal’s shopping cart for my website, but I may have to open a new account with a different email to feel comfortable. I feel horribly exposed right now. Especially since I had changed the password earlier.
Yes, I’ve had someone hack into my Paypal account several years ago. I wouldn’t exactly say I’m “back on the horse”. I’ve opened a new Paypal account with a different email address and store only one credit card (with a VERY small limit). However, this time I refuse to become “verified” by putting in my bank account information just incase it is hacked again and there is a possibility (even if slight) my back account is compromised.
I’ve considered creating a second checking account and only keeping minimal funds in it; using it for Paypal and other similar websites that store bank account info. Transfering money into it only when I need to make online payments. That way, if I am hacked and they got a hold of my second bank account info, the impact of a wipe would be minimal. But I haven’t decided yet if that is what I should do.
I also recently had one of my credit card accounts compromised. Unauthorized purchases were made and all my info was changed so I no longer received credit card statements, phone calls, or emails. That’s a whole other mess because they obtained my social security number and I might have to start the Identity Theft process 🙁
I’m really sorry this had to happen to you and I wish you much luck with your situation, Rusti. I felt (and still feel) extremely violated and I understand your comment about feeling “exposed”. Wish I could be more positive or give advice but I’m still learning from my own experiences and trying to find the best way to protect my personal/financial information for the future.
I’m sorry that happened. I’ve not been hacked like that either. Did you click on a link in an email or something? I’m not being accusatory. I’m just trying to figure out how it could happen.
Mine was hacked years ago. Thankfully, it was never verified.
But now, I use paypal just as much but it’s still not verified and I take my debit card information off RIGHT after I make a payment. A bit time consuming to add and delete the card every time I make a payment, but worth it if a hack where to happen again… they’d have no “money” information.For the longest time I refused to use paypal for that very reason. Not to mention the fees. And I refuse to be verified. I am not giving them my account information.
On the otherhand I do not have a website nor do I sell online.
I am very sorry that this happened to you, Rusti. It must be much harder to protect yourself and your information when you sell or do business from a website.
Well, apparently the fellow slipped up with a website he was using my email address on, and if it’s not a fake, I have his/her telephone number. It’ll be provided to PayPal and then I’ll ask the cops if there’s anything that can be done with it. I’ll find the ass and press charges if I can. It’s a New York area code.
I do not respond to phishing emails or scams and all my business is done entirely directly from the site. All I can think is that due to my forgetfulness, I had the password for my email and my paypal set as the same one, and it was an easy one, so, they may have guessed both, or even just hacked it.
I did let Discover sign me up for a fraud alert/protection thing for a month where they’re sending me some info and copies of my credit reports.
I’ve opened unauthorized activity disputes with paypal and once that’s resolved, I’ll cancel that particular account. I have to get another one (with a completely different email address) though, since my website’s shopping cart is set up with it.
There wasn’t anything else really vital in my account, except my address, but I would think that’s pretty much public record. I’ll be watching, anyway, though.
Lokie wrote:I’ve considered creating a second checking account and only keeping minimal funds in it; using it for Paypal and other similar websites that store bank account info. Transfering money into it only when I need to make online payments. That way, if I am hacked and they got a hold of my second bank account info, the impact of a wipe would be minimal. But I haven’t decided yet if that is what I should do.
That’s exactly what I’ve done, mainly so that I can easily transfer money from Paypal to my regular bank account if needed, since I almost always pay via credit card. The bank account that’s linked to Paypal always has just $1 in it. Another option if you want to be “verified” but don’t want to give them an actual account number is to get “verified” on an account that you’re planning to close — then close the account (that’s what I had done for a few years prior to getting the “Paypal only” bank account).
Lokie wrote:I also recently had one of my credit card accounts compromised. Unauthorized purchases were made…
Coincidentally, I also recently got fraudulent charges on my credit card account, so they cancelled the previous card and gave me a new card number. The fraudulent charges included one which was made via Paypal (but not using my Paypal account), so I don’t think my Paypal account was compromised. But I’ve decided to not enter my new credit card information on either my Paypal or Amazon accounts until I actually need to make a purchase, just to be on the safe side.
Lokie wrote:…and all my info was changed so I no longer received credit card statements, phone calls, or emails. That’s a whole other mess because they obtained my social security number and I might have to start the Identity Theft process 🙁
I’m really sorry to hear that. That’s a big hassle and I hope you’re able to get the situation resolved successfully. Do you have any idea how they managed to get your information in the first place?
Rusti wrote:Has anybody else had this problem and managed to get back on the horse, so to speak? I need Paypal’s shopping cart for my website, but I may have to open a new account with a different email to feel comfortable. I feel horribly exposed right now. Especially since I had changed the password earlier.
I know how you feel. Its probably safest to do what people have mentioned so far: don’t ever link your regular bank account info to your Paypal account, and don’t leave your credit card info on file in your Paypal account (i.e., input your credit card information when you need to make a purchase).
Lokie wrote:That’s a whole other mess because they obtained my social security number and I might have to start the Identity Theft process 🙁
Yikes! I would definately see about some identity theft protection if they got your SSN.
mimitrek wrote:I know how you feel. Its probably safest to do what people have mentioned so far: don’t ever link your regular bank account info to your Paypal account, and don’t leave your credit card info on file in your Paypal account (i.e., input your credit card information when you need to make a purchase).
That sounds like a very good plan. Live and learn, I guess.
It’s not really the money that irritates me the most, since Paypal has given it all back, *and* my credit cards are doing fraud investigations to remove the charges, it’s the sheer gall that it takes to just take something that isn’t yours.
Someone broke into my apartment in Champaign and stole my PS2, but on the way out, I’m 100% certain they got dogbit by a 70pound GSD, or if she didn’t bite them, they won’t forget her soon. It wasn’t the PS2 then, either.
It’s just that someone thinks it’s OK to just waltz into where they have no business and take what they want; stuff they haven’t earned and belongs to someone else. If I had been at home when the PS2 thief came in, the least of their concerns would have been the dog, suffice it to say. Especially if I had access to something heavy, and swingable.
I understand your feelings, but its probably just as well that you weren’t home. People who are willing to break into people’s homes might also be willing to commit assault and murder. Your safety is the most important…property can be replaced. 🙂
It seems like the number of people like this have increased a lot over the years, especially as Internet usage has increased during the last 5-10 years. We really have to be careful to protect ourselves nowadays.
I wasn’t home, but the dog was. There were a lot more vital things they could have taken besides a gaming system and four James Bond DVDs. They were in such a hurry to leave, though, they even left a bag full of quarters on the table next to the door they had to close behind them to keep the dog inside.
It was probably a good thing I was not there, yes, for the safety of everyone, myself and the burglar included. I’m not a little girl, and I’m far from a weakling. We both might have ended up hurt.
Rusti wrote:I wasn’t home, but the dog was. There were a lot more vital things they could have taken besides a gaming system and four James Bond DVDs. They were in such a hurry to leave, though, they even left a bag full of quarters on the table next to the door they had to close behind them to keep the dog inside.
😆 Yet more proof that dogs are excellent security systems! I’m glad the dog wasn’t hurt.
Rusti wrote:It was probably a good thing I was not there, yes, for the safety of everyone, myself and the burglar included. I’m not a little girl, and I’m far from a weakling. We both might have ended up hurt.
It sounds like everything worked out for the best.
I am sorry to hear about that it’s scary. I am sure you have already done this but as a reminder you should notify all three credit bureaus and ask for a Fraud Alert to be placed on your record. /FYI/ Equifax is 866-640-2273, Trans Union is 800-680-7289 and Experian 888-397-3472. But they all have websites where you can notify them.
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