Note: Join us in welcoming the newest blog, “My Time of Life – A Baby Boomer’s Observations,” by Darcie Gore, one the founders and team members of Food for Thought: A News Cafe, and a Village Voices contributor. ~ Doni and Kelly
Internet shopping is wonderful, especially for those of us who are unable to get out all the time. I have shopped on the Internet since there was a physical “Yellow Page book” of Internet stores. Seriously, I wished I had kept it!
When we moved this summer to an unfamiliar city, we purchased some new furniture, window coverings, and even a kitchen island; all on-line. It was wonderful, no lines, I could view literally thousands of items without trying to drive in traffic or navigate a bazillion new stores. Up to this month, every Internet transaction has been perfect.
This month, when our bank statement came in, there was a large transfer to PayPal. Shopping for both our move and the holidays has been over for a while so I didn’t expect any withdrawals. Immediately, I went to my PayPal account only to discover to my horror there were not one but TWO large transfers. After filing a dispute, I learned that the same person accessed our account to order a large number of prepaid cell phones delivered to an address in Ohio – they even included their apartment number. Add them to the list of dumbest criminals.
PayPal has determined the withdrawals were unauthorized and has refunded the entire amount. But the funds were not in our account for the 30 days it took for their review. Here are some things I learned from this experience:
*Don’t link PayPal to your primary checking account – use a credit card to link or a small bank account that will not impact your household budget if it is compromised.
*Change your password – often.
*File disputes immediately.
*Get a ‘security key’ from PayPal. It is free if it goes to your phone, or $5 for a physical token key – I didn’t even know this was available.
I guess if I consider the thousands of things I have bought online – including my last two new cars (in ’98 & ’04), it was bound to happen sooner or later. The nice thing was the customer service and how PayPal stood behind its security and 100% guarantee.
Darcie Gore has a master’s degree in social work and has always been involved in the community and social services. Having been married to Jim for 36 years, she has learned about computers by osmosis, starting with keypunching his first computer programs at Cal Poly. She is often seen with her service dog, Bailey.
