PayPal problems

mojo · November 20, 2020, 09:45:50 PM

Anyone else having problems with PayPal at the moment?
When logging in to my a/c the security check only asks for contact on a mobile which I do not have (dinosaur).
Talked for 3/4 hr via their chat (Help) line getting nowhere, the assistant kept repeating your a/c is being enhanced (whatever that means). Asked to speak to Supervisor and eventually was promised "He" would phone in next 24 hrs. That was Wed. still waiting as of today.
So used their phone contact, another long wait for assistant to eventually start on about "enhancements".
Asked for Supervisor, another long wait, then a promise a phone call in 2hrs. from 11.30 a.m.
Still waiting.
I have now however found a way of bypassing the security question which makes me wonder just how secure PayPal accounts are. I have now withdrawn all funds, but still wonder about fraudulent access to my bank a/c linked to PayPal.
Maurice C.

chrism · November 21, 2020, 06:32:07 AM

Quote from: mojo on November 20, 2020, 09:45:50 PM
Anyone else having problems with PayPal at the moment?
When logging in to my a/c the security check only asks for contact on a mobile which I do not have (dinosaur).

I had a security check a few weeks ago (I think I was going to the Paypal site rather than just paying for a Fleabay purchase) and, being another dinosaur, I'd only given them my landline number. The security code came through on that and, unlike with one of my banks, it was read out reasonably clearly (*) so I could get logged in.

(*) although that probably depends on what the number is - instead of saying, for example "three two eight seven six nine" the blasted text to landline system translates it into "three hundred and twenty eight thousand seven hundred and sixty nine"

Haven't had any issue when paying for purchases - and I've made quite a lot of them lately

QuoteI have now however found a way of bypassing the security question which makes me wonder just how secure PayPal accounts are. I have now withdrawn all funds, but still wonder about fraudulent access to my bank a/c linked to PayPal.

That's not a great concern for me - no funds held in Paypal and no bank account linked

PaulCheffus · November 21, 2020, 01:28:46 PM

Hi

Is the new two factor authentication and I also don't have a mobile. Mine comes to the landline which at the moment isn't an issue but it will stop me making purchases when I am back at work if it requests I enter the security code.

It's like most things these days to keep the hackers out but they just find another way around it and just makes it harder for us to spend our money.

Cheers

Paul

mojo · November 21, 2020, 05:05:06 PM

Thanks for replies.
I never get an answer on the landline, is it an actual phone call conversation?
Maurice C.

chrism · November 21, 2020, 05:24:38 PM

Quote from: mojo on November 21, 2020, 05:05:06 PM
Thanks for replies.
I never get an answer on the landline, is it an actual phone call conversation?
Maurice C.

On the one occasion thus far that I've had it, it was just a voice reading out the authentication code once then hanging up.

dannyboy · November 21, 2020, 05:32:03 PM

Quote from: PaulCheffus on November 21, 2020, 01:28:46 PM
just makes it harder for us to spend our money.

So some good has come out of this then?

ntpntpntp · November 21, 2020, 05:45:33 PM

Unfortunately the assumption that everyone has a mobile with them to act as a second identification device is ever-growing.

I do have a mobile so I've been able to respond to 2-Factor Authentication based on SMS texts with the code (generally my bank but I think Paypal wanted one at one point).

Last year my company decided to switch on 2FA based on an authentication app running on a smartphone: all very well but I don't have a smart phone just a basic voice and text device. I have no desire to own a smart phone and spend my entire life glued to Facebook and cat videos or taking selfies! They had to add an exception to let me continue to access our systems

More recently I've had a similar requirement to respond to 2FA using an app, I ended up running an android phone emulator on the same PC where I was running the app, thus kind of defeating the whole point of two separate devices.

chrism · December 14, 2020, 07:01:39 AM

I've just made a Fleabay purchase and Paypal came up wanting a 2-factor authentication but instead of just wanting to send a text it also offered the option for them to call me. I selected that, it popped up a code on my screen, phoned my landline (the only number I've given them, or indeed have) and asked me to key in the code on my phone keypad, job done. The screen had changed to "Authenticated" before I even got back to it from the phone six feet away.

Rather impressive, IMO, that they've given it some thought and offered that option. Text messages on landlines can be tricky at times because, on mine at least, the system reads out the code as a number, which I sometimes find tricky to "translate", rather than a series of digits.

Obviously, not ideal for people who might make online purchases from different physical locations because the phone number Paypal will use is the one that has previously been registered and confirmed with them but since 99.99 recurring percent of my online purchases are from home this new option will suit me very well.

PGN · January 01, 2021, 05:39:37 PM

My problem with PayPal is how to get at my balance!

I've had a couple of people send me refunds to PayPal rather than reversing out the credit card transaction ... and PayPal has sent me e-mails telling me I've "got money" ... but they won't let me have it!!

If I want to pay using PayPal, it doesn't offer me the option of using this money ... it just charges straight to my credit card. And I can't seem to find any way to get it to pay the money over to me. So I've "got money" ... but it's utterly useless having it!!!

It's not a huge amount - twenty or thirty quid total - but if anyone has any ideas how to get it, I'd be most grateful.

ntpntpntp · January 01, 2021, 05:51:42 PM

@PGN When I purchase something PP always uses my balance first. I think there are some settings under the Profile > Payments section which may affect this.

dannyboy · January 01, 2021, 05:52:38 PM

In your PayPal account, look at the 'Wallet' tab. Under 'PayPal balance' there should be an amount, (your 20 or 30 pounds) and there should be the word Available there. If there is, it should be available for a purchase or to transfer out to a bank account. If it does not say Available .........

. I can not test it as my Available is 0.00 !

addit: ntp just beat me, but my account is set up to use the PayPal balance first, so as he suggests, check your settings.

RailGooner · January 01, 2021, 05:54:02 PM

Have you linked your PayPal account to a bank account?

Newportnobby · January 01, 2021, 08:24:38 PM

Mine is also set up to use any balance first. If you can find the amount I'd suggest transferring it to you bank account. Recent changes to paypal just seem to make life more difficult so I always ensure I owe them money - paid when they take it.

Bealman · January 01, 2021, 11:19:08 PM

Unfortunately the trend of the smartfone shows no sign of diminishing. To transfer funds to new account, I get sent a code to my phone which I have to punch into my bank site.

I have just had to download an app under instructions from the NSW government so I can scan those silly dotty QR codes when I go to the bowling club during covid.

chrism · January 02, 2021, 06:52:03 AM

Quote from: Bealman on January 01, 2021, 11:19:08 PM
Unfortunately the trend of the smartfone shows no sign of diminishing. To transfer funds to new account, I get sent a code to my phone which I have to punch into my bank site.

Most of my banks have adopted the sensible alternative procedure of asking me to put my debit card into a card reader and getting a code that way. The only one that is a problem is one where it's only a savings account so there is no debit card.

QuoteI have just had to download an app under instructions from the NSW government so I can scan those silly dotty QR codes when I go to the bowling club during covid.

What would happen if you didn't have a smartphone?
Over here, establishments are required to have a pen and paper method of recording visitors' contact details as an alternative - just one per group, when groups were allowed of course.