How does this happen?!

[ZmOz]

Logged into my PayPal account this morning...I found several charges on my PayPal debit card that I didn't make in towns I haven't been to. Apparently somebody got my number, and I've canceled the card and am disputing the charges.

What I'm confused about, is that my PayPal card is still sitting right here in front of me. How the hell are they using just the number at places like Wendy's? I know the number is all you need online, but you can't just walk into wendys and say "my card number is xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Anybody else had this happen? What are these **** heads using to swipe in the card reader?

 

[xtraham]

Re: How does this happen?!

yep, had it happen to a buisness P card, a dude that worked at a local parts store used the numbers to charge food and gass......seems some places will just take cc numbers provided to them, thats why I don't get upset when someone ask for my ID...........

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How does this happen?!

No card reader needed. Just a valid number to be punched in. Swiping a card just reduces errors and saves time.

 

[xtraham]

Re: How does this happen?!

oh BTW the dumb *** signed his name to the slip's

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How does this happen?!

So I can just walk into wendy's, and say I forgot my card, but my number is 9372364871 and walk out with a sandwich?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How does this happen?!

Well.... consider ALL the training the high school student has in knowing if a person is telling the truth. I would not fault Wendy's it is probably a common practice.

Consider a gas station where there is no signature required at a pump.... just a card swipe. Brace yourself for the big transactions that may appear. Consider if the thief who stole the card number shared it with friends...... consider all the porn sites you might be signed up for!!

You are a victim of identity theft! Ouch.

Was it a credit card or was it only tied to funds you had in Paypal? Is your paypal tied to a bank account!

I have a feeling this will be a rough ride.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How does this happen?!

Consider a gas station where there is no signature required at a pump.... just a card swipe.

But is there even an option on a gas pump to just type in numbers instead? I'm sure it's not hard to trick the kid working there into doing it, but does he even have a place to type such numbers? Right now there's a charge at Wendy's, Taco Bell, Chevron, and Fry's for about (dollarsign)150 total.

It's only a debit card, so they can't take anything that's not in there. I already withdrew all my cash and removed my bank accounts from my paypal account. I expect the mastercard logo will get my money back, although I don't expect PayPal to be much help.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: How does this happen?!

So I can just walk into wendy's, and say I forgot my card, but my number is 9372364871 and walk out with a sandwich?

Yep, that about sums it up.
When the slip comes out, just sign and enjoy your meal.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: How does this happen?!

I can tell you.... I work at Papa Johns P/T. And when we do a CC for a delivery, we have to take it over the phone. Just the numbers(though exp and CVV are required), and a slip is sent out with the driver for you to sign. No card required.

Good practice would be to verify the CC and ID, doesn't usually happen though. Personally, I'll verify if it's a big order, but it's such an ordeal most of the time. It's hard enough to get the money and sometimes coupon from people, as they aren't prepared ahead of time. But only a REAL DUMB FOOL would have food delivered under a stolen CC.

Also, you can modify the hotel card things sometimes to make you a CC. If you have all ther pertinent info, I'm sure it's not difficult(at least it didn't used to be) to get that on a blank card. Granted, it doesn't look like a CC, but it would function the same. And if it's a "swipe it yourself" deal, then noone is the wiser usually.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: How does this happen?!

There was just a big discussion about this on THT. Seems PayPal (Ebay) may not be as secure about keeping acct info seperate from personal info as they would have you believe. Maybe the best thing is to shut down PayPal accts until needed and then re-active it, then shut it back down.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How does this happen?!

There was just a big discussion about this on THT. Seems PayPal (Ebay) may not be as secure about keeping acct info seperate from personal info as they would have you believe. Maybe the best thing is to shut down PayPal accts until needed and then re-active it, then shut it back down.

Nothing would make me happier than closing my paypal account and never getting within 10 miles of it again, but unfortunately that's how I make my living. They take every opportunity they get to screw me and every other paypal member.

I am very curious as to how this person got my number though, I don't use the card anywhere other than the gas station and post office, where it's just a quick swipe while I watch. No time to steal my number. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was a lapse in PayPal security that let it out...:devil:

It's kind of funny, just yesterday I was going to sign up for PayPal's backup funding system for the debit card. If you don't have any funds and try to use the card, it automatically takes it from another card. I didn't sign up because my other card was out in my truck. That was close...8)

 

[crunch]

Re: How does this happen?!

Nothing would make me happier than closing my paypal account and never getting within 10 miles of it again, but unfortunately that's how I make my living. They take every opportunity they get to screw me and every other paypal member.

Just look at it as the price of doing business?

I am very curious as to how this person got my number though, I don't use the card anywhere other than the gas station and post office, where it's just a quick swipe while I watch. No time to steal my number.

Oh come on, you can't possibly be that blind... like your number doesn't display on the system?... no copies at your places of commerce?

I know you are smarter than that, just put 2+2 together.. It probably ain’t PP. .

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How does this happen?!

Just look at it as the price of doing business?

I do...the only reason I put up with it is because ebay pays me more than the going rate for advertising space on some of my websites. d

Oh come on, you can't possibly be that blind... like your number doesn't display on the system?... no copies at your places of commerce?

Well, if their systems are working the way they are supposed to my card number should always show up as ************4242, just like it always does on my post office receipts. Of course, I'm sure they don't always work the way they're supposed to, and the employees don't follow the protocols they have been directed to...but that's why I use cash most of the time.

 

[crunch]

Re: How does this happen?!

and the employees don't follow the protocols they have been directed to

You think? Like maybe the guy at the gas station is just not taking a copy? Or the PS?... that's where I would look first... PP has a rep to protect... IMHO

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How does this happen?!

PP has a rep to protect... IMHO

PayPal has about as good of reputation as OJ Simpson. PayPal is a horrible horrible company who's main goal is to screw the customer at every possible opportunity. I have lost quite a lot of money in previous problems on multiple occasions with these idiots. They have lost multiple lawsuits against them for doing all sorts of things they shouldn't have.

I don't blame them for somebody stealing my number, but their recovery process couldn't be any less helpfull. The DMV has better customer service. The only reason I have any hope I will get my money back is because Mastercard is involved.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How does this happen?!

You can go with your own Point of Sale system. You can accept credit cards over the phone and get your own machine (and manually punch in the numbers) OR you can go strictly with postal money orders.

There are alternates to paypal.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How does this happen?!

There are alternates to paypal.

I know, but the customers want PayPal. PayPal has done a very good job of brainwashing most of their customers to believe their service truely is safe. Great marketers. Try asking an auction buyer for their credit card number instead of paypal...watch them disappear.