posted on February 15, 2002 05:07:19 PM new
The Paypal Myth: No such thing as a Verified User!
Here is a scenario that I would like the skeptics out there to try and see how far they get:
1. If you have already verified your bank account try these things to test the value of Paypal verification:
a.) Click on your profile tab after logging into Paypal.
b.) Under the heading Account Information click on Street Address and add any address you like with a valid city and zip code.
c.) Select the new bogus address and click the make home and make business buttons and follow the prompts.
d.) Delete the other “verified” address.
If this doesn’t illustrate why fraudsters (especially foreign ones) have a picnic with Paypal then borrow a friends credit card and see how easy it is to register someone else’s credit card under your “verified” account. Shoot you can even change your primary “verified” account address and make your verified address match the card! Not to mention I’m sure a fraudulent buyer could easily switch the account address after ordering something and claim an item wasn’t shipped to the “verified” address.
As you can see a “verified” address means absolutely nothing. Anyone with someone’s stolen personal information and any credit card info can setup a “verified” Paypal account in days and be scamming people before any indication via mail or paper has alerted the owner of the credit card. When I first opened my account with Paypal, which was before the X.com merger, I went through a real verification process in which I received a code via the mail before I could send money and attach a bank account.
The worse part is that Paypal is aware of the fact that its system lends itself to fraud and yet instead of requiring a REAL verification and the maintenance of a real “verified” address they have in essence made it easier to initiate fraudulent transactions and harder for sellers to recover from them by implementing a system where the “verified address” is instantaneously anything they wish it to be.
I called Paypal customer service concerning a transaction in which the seller asked me to ship to another address. I was still a virgin in the ways of Paypal and called to ask how I could register another ship to address. This was when I was informed that all I had to do is register a credit card with the address and make the address my primary address. Granted I was naïve but the fact that the customer service rep was advising me on how to circumvent Paypal’s security is amazing. I was surprised that they didn’t want me to fax additional information like my driver’s license with my signature and a note authorizing another address! The worse part was that at no time did the customer support person tell me that I shouldn’t be attempting to do this!
posted on February 15, 2002 06:35:51 PM new
There's no confusion. The only thing that is confusing is that Paypal let's verified shipping addressed be changed easily and without requiring any "REAL" verification making it easy for individuals to initiate fraudulent transactions.
posted on February 15, 2002 06:40:52 PM new
Uara , you were correct in your ealier post. It is a fruitless effort trying I am giving up also ! PAYPAL RULES!!
posted on February 15, 2002 06:41:48 PM new
Darn it! New poster to auctionwatch and already on the defensive....What people won't do to get you to stop using PayPal. Why would anyone want to change addresses. I guess I don't understand. Can anyone get into my account and change it. I should hope not.
posted on February 15, 2002 06:58:32 PM newThe only thing that is confusing is that Paypal let's verified shipping addressed be changed easily and without requiring any "REAL" verification making it easy for individuals to initiate fraudulent transactions.
I hoped you'd look at the links I provided in the previous post. You are confusing Confirmed Shipping Address and Verified User. They are not the same thing.
posted on February 16, 2002 03:44:53 AM new
The only thing I know for sure is I have used PayPal since day one with only one problem. That problem was taken care of fast and easy My average is 70% pay with PayPal.
There will be a way for a crook to figure out to scam you in any business. I am out over $500.00 in bad checks so I will take my chances with PayPal.
[ edited by toolhound on Feb 16, 2002 03:48 AM ]
posted on February 16, 2002 06:30:17 AM new
"There's no confusion. The only thing that is confusing is that Paypal let's verified shipping addressed be changed easily and without requiring any "REAL" verification making it easy for individuals to initiate fraudulent transactions. "
I think there is some minor confusion here. It is true that ANYONE can add another address to their paypal account. I can add a bogus address in Texas if I wanted to, even though I live in Maryland.
Where I think you are confused is if me as a buyer tries to use this address as a shipping address for a paypal seller, it will show up as "UNCONFIRMED ADDRESS". You can make it a primary, do whatever you like with it, but until it is confirmed sellers will see it as UNCONFIRMED. And just like Paypal suggests, sellers that ship to UNCONFIRMED ADDRESSES, deserve what they get (if anything). This is just my opinion.
I am giving up also ! PAYPAL RULES!!