How to Keep Your PayPal Account Safe

1. Log out of PayPal immediately after you finish using the site. This is especially important if you ever access the site using a public computer at a library or Internet cafe. If you remain logged in, the next user has access to your PayPal account -- and your financial information.
2. Change your password frequently to lessen the chances of someone else guessing it. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters, rather than a word or phrase someone could associate with you.
3. Avoid transacting with users you don't know or who aren't verified by PayPal. Doing so not only puts your account at risk but if you purchase something from an unverified user, you may not ever receive the product or service.
4. Inform PayPal of domestic and international travel plans before your departure date. Otherwise, PayPal 'limits' your account as soon as you attempt to access it from an IP address its system doesn't recognize. Conversely, if your account access becomes limited while you're at home, PayPal has thwarted a potential attack on your account. In either instances, you must call PayPal and answer a series of security questions to regain full access.
5. Never agree to completing a PayPal transaction not using PayPal -- a bank account transfer, for example. Doing so not only requires you to share sensitive personal information, but also removes PayPal from any liability in the event that the transaction goes awry.
6. Don't click links in emails purporting to be from PayPal, but which ask you to provide account credentials, bank or credit card account details. These are malicious, impostor emails and result in 'phishing,' where a third-party gains control of your account.