PayPal Donation. I have been scammed.
@santosmarichris (1849)
Philippines
August 2, 2010 3:40am CST
When I checked my paypal, I had a transaction that I made a $5 donation to Etiene Dalcol. I wonder who she is? I don't remember donating to anyone. Her website which is in the transaction is fake. I'm not sure of her email add. I haven't emailed her yet. I searched for her name and this weird domain site showed her name and that of paypal. Anyway, I emailed Paypal and they said I did infact donated $5 and that I could just email Etiene Dalcol for a refund. Mmm, on my transaction, the day that the $5 was taken off on my account (donation) was also the day when paypal was converting my dollar earning to peso because I transferred money on my debit card. I don't know. Also, let me add that in every transaction like if I got paid or if I transfer money, paypal always emails me. But not on this donation transaction. I wonder why?
Has anyone of you experienced the same problem? It is also possible, that because I have been signing up on different websites that I have been scammed. What should I do to protect my paypal? I'm afraid that it might happen again. Thanks, any comment is much appreciated.
2 people like this
11 responses
@rhodzptc (1317)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
I think he had mistakenly signed up into another sites and did really donate that $5 because it result to transaction notification, the notification is a way to inform us that we are aware of what transaction happening to our paypal account.
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
Hi oldchem1. Paypal already replied to me saying I could email that Etiene D. and ask for a refund. 
I wasn't even notified about that donation thing.
I wasn't even notified about that donation thing.
@sarath49 (761)
• India
3 Aug 10
oh ho never respond to mails requesting for donation paypal or any bank never ask for any kind of donation, instead they are giving away their money for each referral under you so there is no way that palpal will ask for donation.
well i do receive mails for donation like this one president Gora from africa needs donations for its citizen, why would they ask people through mails, they can ask donation from world bank they will provide it freely.
these are all spamming so never respond to such things if you ever receive such mails, either you delete it or ignore it just as i do
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
Thanks Sarath. We should really be careful specially using our email cause there are alot of hackers out there.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
This discussion made me quite worried so I went to check my paypal account. It is good there is no such kind of questionable donation in my account. I've not encountered such experience and I wonder how it was possible to be debited of cash without your knowledge. Who could ever do that on your behalf? And you could also question Paypal why you were not given a notice for this donation.
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
Hi, the best thing to do is change your password and use that only for 1 account. Don't just have 1 password for your email or paypal or other account. Also, be careful in your mail, specially yahoo mail. It is not safe, I think I was hacked through my yahoo email.
@sonaimajumdar (950)
• India
3 Aug 10
I have never experienced such a thing but now I am scared about my account. I hope it does not happen to me. And are you sure that you didn't do that ??
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
Yup. Better be safe. Just be careful and have different password for each and every account. This hackers are sure on the look out. It's good I don't keep all my money in paypal cause hackers know how much they can withdraw from it.
@damned_dle (3942)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
That's weird. Are you sure you didn't do it? Or you didn't sign up for anything that asked for your paypal email AND password???
@terriyakeebeybeh (27)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
This is an interesting one! I have never experienced (well, not yet), but with your blog I can be more careful. Thanks for the heads up! Your blog is really helpful.
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
Hi! You know, I have many sign up work from Microwrokers. So, I might be scammed. I really don't know. Lesson learned, I won't do any sign up work anymore. Also, fyi I have learned that if somebody emailed you and that it came from paypal, do not open it. Just go straight to paypal website. Because there are a lot of hackers using email.
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
that is really weird. how were you able to lose that money if you have not actually donated to any one at all. but i don't know what are those sites that you go to and what are those things that you did that may possible the cause of you transferring money without you knowing it. but still it is quite impossible cause every time you will send money to others in whatever way you would have only yourself to do the transaction. is it possible somebody you know might have used your account or maybe you have log in on internet cafe or something and you forgot to sign out and that way you lose your money.
i have had my account hacked before but it was returned by paypal as it was obviously a fraud transaction as the one who scammed me was from another country so by ip address where he logged in, it is obvious that it was not me who did the transaction.
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
Now, I truly know that I didn't donate anything. I didn't know that site and I didn't know her. For some reasons she was able to know my Paypal password and she knows how much balance I have from my Paypal and used that amount for donation. It's good I don't keep a big amount in my Paypal. Also, know I realized yahoo mail, ain't safe. So, be careful. Thanks for your comment. I appreciate it. It's good that Paypal gave your money back.
@smallsaozhou (827)
• China
2 Aug 10
Well,I have never such experience yet before and I am not good in using Paypal either.I am also afraid of these scams like you.But probably my suggestion has a little effect: I think you should ignore those who you don't know about in future.
@lacieice (2060)
• United States
2 Aug 10
Just a word to the wise; The only email you get that are actually from Paypal are those telling you that money has been deposited in your account, or those that inform you of a payment from your account.
Paypal does not send any other emails to its members. I recently got 2 requesting me to take a survey, and another to verify my account. They are phishing emails, and if you answer them, you will more than likely get ripped off and your money stolen.
Report them to Paypal.
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
3 Aug 10
Hi! Yes, I think now yahoo mail ain't safe. Cause your email add there and password can easily be hacked. I did report it to Paypal. I just hope I get a refund and that it won't happen again to me or to others. Thank you.
@fpsninja (874)
•
2 Aug 10
I dont think its a scam site in the sense of a scam earning site, as i dont think that they can withdraw money from your paypal without your paypal password and the like. Just to check though, do you use the same password for paypal, as you do your email, your accounts on various websites and so on? If so, i recommened you change all your passwords now, as this might be what has happened. And for future reference, keep at least 3 passwords. One for paying sites. One for email, facebook, and other personal information. And one for everything else, such as this site
@santosmarichris (1849)
• Philippines
2 Aug 10
Hi! Thanks for your advice. I did change my password last month and changed it again recently. Now, I'm just more careful.
