Hey everybody, right after I paid for my scion, somebody tapped my bank via PayPal for 2 transactions for more than $800. PayPal said that this usually happens when you pay from a smartphone. So beware. Go in and change your password! I will get it back, but it may take until the endvof the month. What a drag.

I am, however, really happy with my forthcoming cuttings. Thanks Jon.

Seems to be everywhere. two of my credit cards  and my BF complete different account were taken this past week. Well, I would not have money in the bank, but it is a pain. While fraud people working with me to determine what is mine or not, that was cancelled and they are still trying to use it. Crazy...

Sorry to hear of the woes, Donna.  But, thanks for the reminder!  I've been thinking about getting around to doing something to boost security after Dennis started this thread last year: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=6651128

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/secure-passwords

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/security-key-faq

oh dear...

YIKES!  They should stiffen the penalties for hackers, IF they can catch them.  Who knew that all this technology would bring so much crime.

Both Ebay and Paypal are good companies, and they will make it right for you.  Bummer it takes so long!

Thanks for the heads up!  Good luck with your cuttings, Donna! 

Suzi

Do you think it is the same for IPads too?

do not use public Wi-Fi for banking related transactions. Switch your device back to your data plan, if you must transact in public. Otherwise wait until you are on a secure network.

I am a little dumb when it comes to this stuff,
So, if I am using my own personal locked Internet at home, I should not have any issues, correct? And this only pertains to people paying for things on Paypal on devices while not at home?

Any time you are on public Wi-Fig, you are at risk for hackers seeing your personal information... Credit card numbers, user names, passwords, etc. If you have a data plan for your device, you can turn off the Wi-Fi and you will be communicating directly through your data provider. This is much less risky.

I normally do not worry about too much other than banking. I should probably do the same for this forum. If someone hacked my F4F account, you guys might like them more than the real me.

Ha ha ha James, Wi-Fig? Freudian slip? I'm still laughing.

Thanks James! I never buy anything while out and about, so hopefully I will stay safe for now.

As luck would have it... I just got this email in my spam folder:

Never click a link to anything which requires a username/password from an email. The links send you to a phony site. When you type in a username/password, the thieves have your info. If you are concerned about an account, open a web browser and either type in the domain name or go to it from a bookmark.

Harvey, that FOB is definately the way to go.  Now, there is no way crooks can hack my account again.  The FOB is a Symantec Validation & ID Protection card.  Looks just like a credit card, but it's live.  Whenever you log into your account you have to enter your password and then press the card for a random generated code that synchs up with the device on file with PayPal.  It's great!  I know Target wish they had something like this!  BTW, I don't shop at Target.

Very good discussion here. This is a big hassle, still. At my bank this morning, the banker said that most of the hacking is done via debit cards. So goodbye debit cards! I'm going to set up that second level of security in PayPal. Thanks for the moral support.

Dennis, between the $30 PayPal wants to charge me for the fob and the inconvenience of having to carry around another item in my fat wallet, I went with the SMS option.  The only risk I see with this is if I lose my phone.  The only time I've lost a phone was out in my fields or in the drain ditch and the voles, etc. don't seem savvy enough to cause me trouble yet.

Harvey mine was free. ;)

Dennis, I believe PayPal's policy is to give away a fob for free when a user has been hacked to help rebuild confidence.  I have yet to have my account compromised. :D

Thanks.  I'm checking my paypal and bank account now.   Did they notice that someone hacked your account or did you find out first?  What a hassle. 

I got an email stating a transfer was made. By the time I got on the phone to report it, two more transfers were made. I forwarded the emails to them and the Feds got involved. They restored 90% of my funds back in my account within the hour. The remaining 10% came 2 days later. They found who did it but could not tell me who it was.