Paypal got Hacked

**Fandrew** · 01-12-2010, 10:23 AM

So, someone has hacked my paypal account, and has taken about $450 from me. Everytime I try to go to paypal's website, it wants me to enter my full debit card number as a "security precaution". If I do manage to get around that, it wants me to create a new password. I'm hesitant to do anything on the site until I know I'm not screwing myself further. I'm trying to call me bank and see what they can do.

Any advice on what I should do?

**thesteve** · 01-12-2010, 10:48 AM

Have you tried calling Paypal?

**Fandrew** · 01-12-2010, 10:53 AM

I can't find a number. I finally got to the part where I can dispute transactions. And, right after I entered all the data, my laptop battery died. #^$%&*

Nate · 01-12-2010, 10:55 AM

I found this in ten seconds on their site.

1-402-935-2050 Customer Service

**Fandrew** · 01-12-2010, 10:59 AM

Ok, report filed. Now I need to call my bank and tell them. Unfortunately, I can't do that until I get off work. Kinda hard to make a phone call while substitute teaching, that's why I didn't look too hard for the Paypal phone number.

NoMoreSilence · 01-12-2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCarrFan

So, someone has hacked my paypal account, and has taken about $450 from me. Everytime I try to go to paypal's website, it wants me to enter my full debit card number as a "security precaution". If I do manage to get around that, it wants me to create a new password. I'm hesitant to do anything on the site until I know I'm not screwing myself further. I'm trying to call me bank and see what they can do.

Any advice on what I should do?

Having much experience working in the customer service industry, I have dealt with a lot of paypal issues before. If they hacked it and stole your money, the first thing to do is call your bank and file a dispute. Then freeze your checking account, and transfer all of your funds from checking to savings, to prevent further theft. Then go on and change your password. Also, it may be a good idea to deactivate your paypal account if possible, and create a new one. Also, have your bank shred your debit card and issue you a new one with a different number.
If more money continues to be stolen, call the police.

**Fandrew** · 01-12-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoMoreSilence

Having much experience working in the customer service industry, I have dealt with a lot of paypal issues before. If they hacked it and stole your money, the first thing to do is call your bank and file a dispute. Then freeze your checking account, and transfer all of your funds from checking to savings, to prevent further theft. Then go on and change your password. Also, it may be a good idea to deactivate your paypal account if possible, and create a new one. Also, have your bank shred your debit card and issue you a new one with a different number.
If more money continues to be stolen, call the police.

I have a feeling that's going to be a problem at the moment. I have two payments on student loans pending, so I can't have the bank do much to my account until after those clear. I'm going straight to the bank once I get off work. (1 hr)

Pre-Ex-Girlfriend · 01-12-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoMoreSilence

Having much experience working in the customer service industry, I have dealt with a lot of paypal issues before. If they hacked it and stole your money, the first thing to do is call your bank and file a dispute. Then freeze your checking account, and transfer all of your funds from checking to savings, to prevent further theft. Then go on and change your password. Also, it may be a good idea to deactivate your paypal account if possible, and create a new one. Also, have your bank shred your debit card and issue you a new one with a different number.
If more money continues to be stolen, call the police.

Just a note - I'm not sure calling the police is necessary. In most fraud cases where police contact would be warranted, the bank's fraud department would have already done so. Just sayin'. One less step for the customer. Let the bank deal with that.

**Fandrew** · 01-12-2010, 03:04 PM

I went to the bank, and they didn't really do much. But, they did tell me that if any overdraft occurs, they will negate the fees once everything's back to normal.

Of the three transactions, Paypal has already reversed one, so I think they're doing this fairly well.

NoMoreSilence · 01-12-2010, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCarrFan

I have a feeling that's going to be a problem at the moment. I have two payments on student loans pending, so I can't have the bank do much to my account until after those clear. I'm going straight to the bank once I get off work. (1 hr)

Doesn't matter if you have payments pending or not, if somebody stole from you, that's completely different and they need to file a dispute.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pre-Ex-Girlfriend

Just a note - I'm not sure calling the police is necessary. In most fraud cases where police contact would be warranted, the bank's fraud department would have already done so. Just sayin'. One less step for the customer. Let the bank deal with that.

It's usually a good idea to put a research report in with the police anyway. The attitude of "I'll let the bank handle it." has gotten many customers I've spoken with into a LOT of debt. The reason being is because the bank usually doesn't do much with it, so you need to go out and make sure all the bases are covered.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayCarrFan

I went to the bank, and they didn't really do much. But, they did tell me that if any overdraft occurs, they will negate the fees once everything's back to normal.

Of the three transactions, Paypal has already reversed one, so I think they're doing this fairly well.

Paypal has an anti-fraud system in place that, once it's reported, they block any other transactions. But good job on going to the bank.

Pre-Ex-Girlfriend · 01-12-2010, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoMoreSilence

It's usually a good idea to put a research report in with the police anyway. The attitude of "I'll let the bank handle it." has gotten many customers I've spoken with into a LOT of debt. The reason being is because the bank usually doesn't do much with it, so you need to go out and make sure all the bases are covered.

The bank may not "do a lot with" fraud committed via paypal it if it's already being handled through paypal's anti-fraud system, but when it comes to fraud committed with debit and credit accounts - in my experience - they are on top of it and communicate with the police and, if needed, the federal authorities.

If someone has had fraud committed on one of their accounts (be it paypal, debit, credit or whatever) and the fraudulent payments are not overturned and the money placed back in the account, then, sure, go to the bank or talk to paypal and ask them if they are in touch with the police about it. I mean, you already have to talk to them anyway. I just don't see why you'd make extra work for yourself if the bank is already dealing with it.

I don't mean to start any side debates here, but I just don't know what kinds of situations you're talking about where it would be the bank's fault that someone went into debt.

Yoda_me07 · 01-26-2010, 06:13 AM

another tip is always look at the URL bar and make sure it's actually paypal, and not some phishing site

TunerSteve · 01-28-2010, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yoda_me07

another tip is always look at the URL bar and make sure it's actually paypal, and not some phishing site

I also would make a practice of avoiding using a laptop with a wireless connection when making purchases online via paypal or any credit card transactions. Just being cautious I guess.