Maze
join:2006-02-02
USA, NYC
2 edits | I don't want to hand over my deep personal information Hello,
I could use some help right now as I'm terrified of what is going on in my Country. The question(s) is/are closer to the end. I can't simply jump to them before explaining. However, feel free to Jump to the Question(s) if it makes it easier for you. Last night I wanted to order a Graphics Card replacement for my Mom. Her Computer is old by today's standards -- but it is workable for her needs. So, it is not reasonable to buy from a normal online Store; for the Price I need for something of that value and eventually which is going to be discarded.
So I log into my PayPal account and verify that I have enough funds. I do yay! So I proceed and order a Graphics Card from Ebay. I'm happy that my Mom will have a better Graphics Card in time for the Holidays. The happy endorphins rush through my Brain! Fine all is ok but I decide to Login to my PayPal to add extra funds from my Bank Account for later use again. I click where it used to be "add funds from Bank" and it is nowhere in sight. Huh? Later I get an email from PayPal that my PayPal account has become limited. I also am now greeted on the main page as well.
They now need my Social Security number because of "1099K" Reporting Law. This is regardless of the amount in your PayPal.
Isn't Identity theft on the internet "the cloud" very real?
I know that some of the most reputable online sites that exist if you follow the news; they have become victims and hacked by hackers. So how can that department(you know who) even dream up about this Law? What were they thinking? Social Security behind a password? Regardless; the password can be a poem. I think that we all know how safe it is online to conduct sensitive things such as transactions. This is always a potential for something to go wrong in this "Cloud Computing" thing. Or even the end users own Computers Operating Sytem even if the user is very careful exploits, holes, etc. Couldn't they have saved all citizens by simply implementing something more safer from the potential identity theft? If so how?
If a common saying is that what you post on the internet remains on the internet forever. That the Internet is a Public highway right? So doesn't that mean that nothing is really Private on the internet and everything can be listened to? In other words isn't it like putting my Social Security number on the Bench or flash it somewhere in a Public Space? I may not see the logic behind this; if so feel free to chime in and correct me. I'll accept the new way at looking at it from a different angle.
What makes it worse is that PayPal is now not only wants my Social Security typed in!
PayPal now wants from me:
1. A Scanned Picture of me.
2. A Utility Bill (if I can find any in my name at this time).
3. A Scanned Copy of my Social Security.
Nicely uploaded or of course Faxed to them and trust that it is going not to end up being Stolen somehow.
I need PayPal for many things and it is not just PayPal that must surrender to this new law.
So here we are fighting trying to protect Citizens from Identity theft. Yet on the other side we must surrender our Social Security online. This just does not make any sense for me. So someone uses a Social Security Number in part to commit fraud. Later an innocent Citizen has to proof why they must not be locked up for the next 100 years for committing some type of felonious act.
I also think that the Picture + Utility Bill + Scanned Social Security reminds me of a certain Country thinking style. I really don't have much knowledge on this thing; because of my time frame from conception did not coincide too well. With the politics of the time in that country for me in order to have any prior knowledge. That is outside of Academical information which I have learned online and through history books. What I have said above was the country where my family left in search of Justice and better life into the US. I love the Constitution no doubt and would not trade it for anything. However what is happening is a very scary resemblance in my thoughts in my mind of that other country. Even worse is that it starting to look in my opinion even more different than that political system that the other country had even more punishable. I'm afraid the day that a petty thing or saying something that is not considered a norm can get one into the wrong place.
The Picture tying to ones Bills; and to complete the whole profile a number. Might as well stamp the number on each persons arm. Sorry, this is very long I understand for the other person who is reading this. I could not simply have said this any shorter than I already have. |
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 removedPremium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
kudos:37 | TL;DR summary for those who don't want to read 12 paragraphs about the OP's mom's old computer:
OP is unhappy because the IRS requires that PayPal collect tax reporting information. Compares this to "Nazi Germany" type policies (oh dear) and is worried about having to wear a number on his arm.
To the OP: don't use PayPal if this is a deal breaker. Thousands of sites exist that accept direct payment via any major card. If this is also too scary, you could always step back in time and shop in brick & mortar stores like my grandmother does.
I hope this helps.
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irc.removed.us - #dslr |
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Maze
join:2006-02-02
USA, NYC
1 edit | Removed,
I have no problem about the reporting but what I do have a problem with is not finding a way to make it safer. Perhaps maybe creating a secondary number of some sort specially for online taxation for individuals? Before they made the law I think they should have designed a plan.
I don't think it is safe to have Paypal, or any other site; store a Social Security Number. Haven't you read ever before People getting in trouble with the Law because of stolen personal information?
Firstly, I was not comparing what you have said "IRS" (Additional words by me# which are legitimate needs to collect) to Nazi Germany. No, No!! So in partial you have misread what I have tried to say. I was saying that some actions that are taking place here are starting to resemble a changed Country that no longer in fullness adhere to its principles in my opinion. Example Consumer protection: Why hasn't anyone stepped in and tell PayPal that this is not safe and that they should find a safer way? Maybe Mail it? but Fax it or send online?
Again, I did not make comparison between the both that you have written about it was a misunderstanding. Your misunderstanding however was my fault. I have written multiple thoughts under the same post. Sorry!However, I don't think anyone should be quick to dismiss about the Arm thing and take for granted the very idea of freedom.
I do however agree about Brick and Mortal however if you ever come over here to my areas. You'll notice that more Block are starting to be replaced with more Banks and Pharmacies! In some places two banks or five Banks / Pharmacies per a Block! Just recently we lost a Vegetable store to a new Bank. If I need a Technology purchases chances are online is better (more choices for reason mentioned more stores etc) but I want it safe and legitimate.
LOL; I'm not crazy but you don't have to believe me I know.
Your solution helps in the idea Thanks but for reasons I said above it is getting harder. |
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removedPremium,VIP
join:2002-02-08
Houston, TX
kudos:37 | said by Maze:Why hasn't anyone stepped in and tell PayPal that this is not safe and that they should find a safer way? Maybe Mail it? but Fax it or send online? Where do you think documents go when they've been mailed somewhere? Just about everything is scanned in and computerized now-a-days. In the 60s, "Larry from the Records Department" might have pulled your document from a file cabinet, but it's just not like that anymore.
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irc.removed.us - #dslr |
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 BogdenPremium
join:2000-07-11
Richmond, VA | reply to Maze
That situation to me also seems quite heavy handed, especially based on their history. I'd look to alternatives to Pay Pal.
Here »www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/12/5-···pal/all/ are some suggested alternates. |
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 SparkChaserPremium
join:2000-06-06
Downingtown, PA
kudos:3
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to Maze
What kind of PP account is it? Mine is just attached to a credit card and they've never asked me for anything except name, add, CC number.
FWIW I have received some fake PP emails asking for info
I agree with you, I wouldn't send them the info either.
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"Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." - Aldous Huxley
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BobAccount deleted
join:2012-07-22
New Jersey | reply to Maze
Since the OP likes bold text, I'll say it in bold: Cancel your PayPal account.
Shop in stores in person. Pay cash. Problem solved. |
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Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
| reply to Maze
Are you for real?
I bought an item on ebay just last night and paid through PayPal. All I needed was the usual username/password. They didn't ask for any of the stuff you claim they are demanding.
I think the info requested was part of a phishing scam, or your account has already been hacked and PayPal needs to verify who you are, or you are committing some kind of fraud yourself and PayPal is onto it.
You should start by finding out if this is a real policy or not and go from there. Even in these times, I find it hard to believe they would demand all that information just to make a simple purchase.
I suspect there is a lot of detail being left out of your story. |
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tcopePremium
join:2003-05-07
Sandy, UT
kudos:2 | reply to Maze
said by Maze:Later I get an email from PayPal that my PayPal account has become limited. I also am now greeted on the main page as well. First, delete the email and then log directly into Paypal yourseld by typing www.paypal.com. Start over from this point and see what happens. |
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 CylonRedPremium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County | reply to mocycler
said by mocycler:I think the info requested was part of a phishing scam, or your account has already been hacked and PayPal needs to verify who you are, or you are committing some kind of fraud yourself and PayPal is onto it.
I concur as I have had these come to me as well.
When you get an email from a company wanting you to verify who you are - DON'T click any links in the email.
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Brian
"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain |
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| reply to Maze
Business accounts with paypal are the only one from what I understand needs to verify these things. Downgrade to a Premier account. |
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 VoxxjinMade of HamburgerPremium
join:2010-01-13
San Antonio, TX | reply to Maze
I don't have PayPal. Actually have never used it. I think my wife does but it is tied to her credit card. If you are nervous about PayPal why not just used a CC?
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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war |
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 caffeinatorComing soon to a cup near you..Premium
join:2005-01-16
WA, USA
kudos:4
 ·CenturyLink
| reply to Maze
I agree with the other posters who are saying this is not normal.
I've had Ebay and PP accounts since 2005 and have never seen any of this. I also never keep any balance in the PP account at all. I have, however, seen MANY phising emails and people with trojaned computers getting asked for all sorts of odd information.
Either you've been duped, phished, are using a business account for personal use or you're under some sort of investigation.
BTW, just because it's older doesn't mean you can't buy something under $30 from Amazon, Newegg, Tigerdirect, or a dozen other online retailers. Not to mention Craigslist or even from our own classifieds.
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My 9/11 Tribute..online since 9/14/01
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caffeinatorComing soon to a cup near you..Premium
join:2005-01-16
WA, USA
kudos:4 Reviews:
·CenturyLink
| reply to Maze
AGP cards: »www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi···04X%2f8X
PCI (not Express): »www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi···name=PCI
Yes, chances are I would buy really old stuff from here or from Ebay, but just showing ya that they do exist for around $30 at a reputable online store.
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My 9/11 Tribute..online since 9/14/01
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 runnoftPremium
join:2003-10-14
Deerfield, IL
kudos:1 | reply to Maze
It could be a phishing attack. It could be because he has a non-verified Paypal account, and Paypal is suspicious about his account for some reason. Paypal has in the past asked some customers for a copy of a utility bill as proof of address and copy of a photo ID when setting up Paypal account verification even for only buying transactions.
Paypal will ask for proof of a Social Security number but normally only with a selling Paypal account/transaction (because they will report this data to IRS in some circumstances), which this is not as far as we have been told.
I would follow the suggestion to either log in directly to www.paypal.com and see if the same request pops. If it does, call Paypal Customer Service and find out why they want the SSN for a purchase. It doesn't make sense. They don't need it. Maybe someone has coincidentally glommed on to OP's Paypal account and is attempting to sell. Maybe OP is selling something and has not disclosed that here. |
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»www.paypal-community.com/t5/Tips···#U511316 |
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 M A R SPremium
join:2001-06-15
Long Island | reply to Maze
its a scam bro.. |
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Reviews:
 ·Comcast
| reply to Maze
The IRS is looking for all kinds of unreported Income. Just look at all the different 1099's that there are. Here is one for the Misc. and its 8 pages of instructions. - » www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1099msc_12.pdfIf I had my business today, there would be a ton of 1099's I would have to produce. And to do so, would need to obtain SSN or Federal Id numbers from those providing services. If one would not do so, then no payment from me. The IRS is also looking at Paypal transactions for "under the table" Income. Here are a couple articles: » www.freshbooks.com/blog/2012/01/···rovider/» www.informationlaw.com/blog/It-T···ount.htmHere is the Form 1099-K, that covers PayPal and such. » www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i1099k.pdfOTOH, think of all the Institutions that have your SSN. Where do you think these electronic [and once physical] documents are stored. |
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Maze
join:2006-02-02
USA, NYC
4 edits | Thank You all for the replies regardless of your views towards my post. Secondly, actually this is not a Scam. This is from the actual website »www.paypal.com after logging into my account besides the email they have sent me. If you have not received this yet you will in the coming days.
I'm not sure how to add an inline quote here.
========= Begin Paste ==============
"
PayPal is constantly working to ensure security by
regularly screening the accounts in our system.
We recently reviewed your account, and we need
more information to help us provide you with
secure service. We would like to return your
account to regular standing as soon as possible.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
----------------------------------------------------------------
What is the problem?
•
Dec 16, 2012: As of April, 2012, new Federal
Regulations require Money Service Businesses,
such as PayPal, to verify the identity of a
customer before we can provide various
services or product offerings. As a result, PayPal must
ensure we have collected and verified important data
such as customer name, address, date of birth, and
national tax ID or social security number.
Because we were not able to fully confirm
your identity based on your current account
information, we need to request additional supporting documentation from you.
You will continue to have full access to your
PayPal account, but until we are able to confirm
your identity, we may be unable to process certain
types of customer initiated requests such as adding funds to your PayPal account.
(Your case ID for this reason is
#Removed by me posting to a public forum)
---------------------------------------------------------
How can I return my account to regular standing?
It's usually pretty easy to take care of things like this.
Most of the time, we just need a little more
information about your account or latest
transactions.
To help us resolve this issue, please go to the
Resolution Center.
We'll review the information you provide and email
you if we need more details.
Once you complete all of the checklist items,
your case will be reviewed by one of our Account
Specialists. We will send you an email with
the outcome of the review.
------------------------------------------------------------------
About Us
"
============== End Paste =========== |
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SparkChaserPremium
join:2000-06-06
Downingtown, PA
kudos:3 | reply to Maze
BUT...do you just have a regular CC account with PP??? |
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