<wail> Fraudulent transactions on my PayPal account and can't get through to a human being... heeelp!

[policywonk]

Argh - have two emails in my inbox detailing fraudulent transactions on my PayPal account. The transactions seem to be 'real' - I've checked the PayPal page (went to the site independently, didn't click on any links in the emails) and money has been taken out of my account and my linked debit card. I CANNOT get through to any human beings at PayPal and I'm becoming hysterical. Anyone know what to do? I've emailed PayPal but I really want this sorted now... should I inform the police and my bank?

Yes. Quickly. Then change all your passwords and keep trying to get through....

Thank you

Doesn't seem to be any point in phoning PayPal, it's all automated machines and no provision for reporting fraud... anyone know a better number (I'm using the 08707 one).

This happened to me (credit card though, not debit card) & all communication with Paypal was by email.

I did get it back - well, nearly all of it, there was a currency conversion involved & the rate changed , They sent me a claim form as an email attachment, I had to print it off, fill it in & post it back to them

Thanks Wendy. Did you keep your PayPal account? I hardly use mine, seems it would be better to just close it. Did they explain to you how the fraud had happened?

An explanation, pw?

It was ages ago, I can't remember the exact sequence of events now - can just visualise the form they sent (it had very tiny spaces between the lines for filling in) - I did keep my paypal account, changed password, didn't inform police or credit card company IIRC as it seemed to be a hacking-into-paypal issue rather than a someone's-got-my-credit-card-details issue.

I've actually had 2 incidents of online-only purchases from overseas, both to do with gaming - one was something to do with China & football, & the other was some American buying into a fantasy game (he got very confused & had my details linked to some other person's credit card as well as mine) & I can't remember which this was. Sorry, I'm not much help, am I

We bought a new PC 12 months ago & I can't find any of the emails on this one so I must have failed to save them properly.

No, it's useful - thanks! I've stopped hyperventilating and throwing phones around the room now anyway (DS2 just came in and said 'why were you shouting and screaming at Daddy?' - interesting that he assumed I was screaming at DP...).

I've told the bank and they've cancelled my card, so I feel a bit calmer. Fired off my dispute thingy to Pay Pal (Shittest. Website. EVER.)

Bar-stewards.