I have been a PayPal member for as long as I can remember and am an "Advantage" member, using the account for my online store as well as other things. Everything went well and I've been using my PayPal MasterCard debit card for the longest time. Since I'm a musician, every time I'm on the road PayPal security stops my credit card use if it sees there was a charge from another state from which I'm in and I have to call them to turn my card back on. Well, now that I'm not touring, it seems that their protection has completely failed. I had my credit card on me for the past few months and only used it locally (residing in Los Angeles) and haven't withdrawn any money or given my number to anyone. All of a sudden, I get a purchase for $250 for a Sam's Club in GEORGIA on my debit card! This effectively takes away most of my money and no one at PayPal sounds a red flag to me about this unlike the other times I was on tour. I have to call them myself and tell them. They open a dispute and assure me I won't get charged, and credit me the $250. Then they close down my credit card and tell me to apply for a new one online. As soon as I apply, I instantly get denied and get told to provide all my information to verify the account. Despite their promises of not charging me for the fradulent transaction, I login today to see that they charged $250 on my account as the payment from Sam's Club went through and I am now on negative. Thank god I was smart enough to withdraw all my money to my bank before this all happened. This is just a warning to everyone who thinks their account is safe. It's not. I cannot believe how long of a member I was and how my ADVANTAGE status offers NO extended service to me WHATSOEVER to deal with this issue. Very, very, very disappointed in PayPal at the moment.
-Gary
