Wanna join but I'm worried...

Hi all

I've been lurking around here "for free" much too long. I'd like to join NPN. One last obstacle is the creation of a PayPal account. I've tried to read the terms of use, and it's a real pain. One question I'm wondering about...

If I understand this system correctly, I can transfer money from my bank account to the PayPal account, and then transfer it to other places (e.g. to pay for the membership fee). Is that correct? Now the question: Does PayPal have access to my bank account somehow? So if somebody hijacks my account and spends a large amount of money (unlikely, I know), can PayPal (or the thieve, for that matter) somehow access what is deposited on my bank account?

Thanks for clearing this up.

Basil

I've used Paypal for some years now and I've never had any problem. I started a new account at my bank, which I keep very little money in. This is the account that Paypal is tied to. You are protected by the bank, but from what I hear it is not always so easy to deal with a problem if one occurs. You can also tie Paypal to a credit card instead of a bank account. Personally, I would not set up Paypal just to sign up for NPN. I'd send a check.

I'm located outside the US... I guess that would complicate things.

Basil

I tried reading the PayPal terms once. And I quickly resolved never to touch PayPal! I know that the vast majority of people don't have any problems with it, but I really didn't like the terms and conditions, and I wasn't willing to sign it.

I have never done, and will never do, business with anyone who *requires* PayPal. (And there are some websites that do credit card transactions through PayPal semi-transparently. If you read their fine print, you have to agree to PayPal's T&C to use those, so I don't do business with them, either.)

Send a cheque!

-Paul

Basil, paypal terms aren't exactly stellar. So I never put my bank account on my file, and I would give this advice to everybody. Just register your credit card on paypal and that should be enough.

OTOH, if you are paying money through paypal (as opposed to receiving it), then I believe there is a way to send money without having to register with paypal; all you need is a credit card (visa/mastercard/etc). Fire an email to Jim, I'm sure he can set up a request for your payment that way.

Many credit card transactions on line are actually handled through Pay Pal. I have set up a payee and merchant account. I did establish a small bank account that I link to Pay Pal so my main financials are protected. However you don't need to do this just to pay for things. A credit card on file will do it just fine.

My guess is that Jim will accept a personal check? If you are worried, you might shoot him an email to see if that would work. I get a little paranoid about Paypal myself.

I get a little paranoid about PayPal, too, and generally do not use it. And I hate leaving a credit card number "on account." I usually send a check.

Ok, thanks for all those suggestions. I think I'll contact Jim about the issue. If he can provide me with an IBAN number, I can transfer the money straight to his account...

Basil

Basil, probably the easiest way is to sent a check or money order in U.S. funds.

BTW, everytime you use your credit card to place an order online, you are leaving your credit card number on yet another "secure" server somewhere in cyberspace. Getting a secure server certificate (Thawte for example) is not that difficult and offers no more security for buyers than using PayPal - and in some cases a lot less. Paying through PayPal with a low credit line card (or a dedicated checking account like Ed suggested) is about as "secure" as it gets!

Thanks for your reply Jim.

In fact, I don't even have a credit card (and hence don't use it to purchase online ) - I'm a student, and without regular income (which I don't have), credit cards are not that easy to get. And I wouldn't need one anyway. So, I fully realize that the problem is not NPN, but me. Still, I'm happy if the problem can be solved.

That being said - if you can provide me with an IBAN number of the account where the money has to go, I can probably simply transfer to money to your account by international money order (and I'd be willing to cover the transaction costs, I think there's an option for that).

Thanks a lot!

Basil

Basil, check your email!

Thanks a lot Jim! You'll get the payment ASAP. I'll figure out how to do it. Somehow.

Basil