OT: Heads up! Hoax regarding PayPal

From: Mark Wagner (mgw@No-Spam)
Date: Thu Apr 10 2003 - 12:45:43 MST

  • Next message: Jamie Dillon: "UT and DST...where the universe is centered"

    Someone said.

    ><rant>
    >
    >Paypal sucks.

    I don't think so. Other things do though!

    >Sky Image is a merchant, so they hold funds on our behalf. Last year,
    >they froze our acct with about $3000 bucks in it, for an "internal"
    >audit. No explanation, no telephone number to call. They wanted me to FAX
    >our bank statements for 2 years + PGE and + Drivers License. After 30
    >days, they unfroze the funds, with no apology. Nothing.

    I would not be a merchant there. But I use PayPal for lots of astronomy
    type business stuff, and it works great. As others have said, do not keep
    any appreciable amounts there... I transfer funds immediately upon receipt
    to keep the lowest possible balance. In fact, I take PayPal for the SSP
    registrations, and will likely do so for the catered dinners at this year's
    CalStar (there, now this is an astronomy thread!).

    >If you feel good about PayPal, just try to find a telephone number to call
    >on their site.

    I found it easily once I was logged in. Go to Help, then Contact Us, then
    there is a "Phone" section with a click to their "Service Center" where you
    can find their tool-free number.

    >Maybe good for Payers, but not Payees.

    Again, depends on your relationship. I don't want them holding any of my
    funds. And if they do, it will be only one afternoon's worth.

    >Beware, NEVER leave a balance with these jerks. They are an unregulated bank.

    Good advice.

    ></rant>

    Mark Wagner
                                     <http://www.observers.org/>TAC: Where Dark
    Matters



    The Astronomy Connection -- Mailing List Archives