PayPal

Was that me casting a suspicious eye on PayPal in a recent editorial on "Choosing the best earning program"? I suppose I'm busted,as the review is still posted here, OoPs.
Now, I was not picking on PayPal, but rather using this service as an example of a program that asks for very personal information. This is still true of PayPal, but my mistake was classifying this as an "earn money" program.

PayPal is in fact, an online money transferral program. None other than James Doohan, "Scotty" of T.V.'s Star Trek endorses this program with a very nice picture and the catchy slogan, "I use PayPal to Beam Money. Now you can too."

It is neccessary to ask for your credit card number, as this is how this program works. With an account at PayPal, you are able to send money to anyone, anywhere...as long as they have an e-mail account. The amount you send is charged to your credit card. When you receive money from another PayPal member it is deposited into your account. If the other party is not a PayPal user, he or she can simply sign up and become one. In a way, being a member makes you credit card capable. That is to say, you as an individual can accept credit card payments! (I imagine this would come in very handy to those who participate in online auctions). Moreover, the service is completely free, you never have to pay fees for transfers.

By now you may have forgotten I had a secret. Coming right up:

PayPal ended up in my review on "Choosing the best Earning Program" because they have implimented a very generous referral program.
First of all, you are given $10 in your account for joining this free service. In addition, for an unspecified time they are giving
you $10 in your account per referral, up to $1000! Security measures to protect both your information and your account are addressed at length on PayPal's site and include protection against theft, electronic eavesdropping, and misdirected payments.
I know, I know! The secret already, right? Ok.....
If after reading the security page you still feel uncomfortable giving out your credit card number-at least until PayPal has established more credibility with time- yet, you'd like to get in while they are still offering the referral bonus. There is a way:

1. Go to http://www.webcertificate.com and sign up for a completely free gift certificate. It can be used for purchasing, shipping, or not at all.

2. When you sign up for PayPal to activate your account, go to the credit card verification, check "Mastercard" and type in the number on the gift certificate.

Viola`!
You now have a PayPal account.
It has $10 in it.
You have an opportunity to recieve $10 for everyone you refer to PayPal.
You also have a usable credit card number when you need one simply for verification when you win contest or for free stuff and other promos and don't want to give out your "real" one.
And you have a $5 gift certificate.
Not too bad for a few minutes work.

Note: To my knowledge and as far as I am concerned, this is not "cheating" or misrepresentation. This prepaid gift certificate is accepted everywhere and the instructions for it include checking "mastercard" as the form of payment. As you continue to use the service and become satisfied with the security of PayPal, of course you will want to use a credit card with a higher limit than $5 in order to send money though the service.

Thanks Liffey!!



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