Paypal is actually really safe, as long as no one gets a hold of your password. You will get phishing scams in your email. This is just how it is. Even people without Paypal accounts get them. All you need to do is to hit forward on the email and forward it to
spoof@paypal.com. Paypal will send you an email confirming that the email was phony and will give you tips in the email on how to protect your account. Here are some basic rules on how to prevent your account from getting hacked:
1) Change your password once a month or more often
2) NEVER share your password with ANYONE unless you share an account with a spouse, family member, etc.
3) NEVER put your Paypal password in any email, ever, even if it is being sent to a friend or family member. call them on the phone to give it to them instead.
4) Do not EVER click any links in any emails you receive from Paypal or any other company for that matter. Even if it looks legit, always log in through the direct web address by either typing it into the web address bar or by going to the site through a favorites list on your web browser. Paypal will never include links in emails to get to the site and will ALWAYS address you by the full name on your account (if it says "Dear Paypal User," for example, it is not Paypal!). The same thing goes for Ebay.
5) Never save your password anywhere on your computer. If you do decide to do this, use codes that you will remember instead of your password itself. Use code words for the sites as well. For example if you like to buy antiques on Ebay, put simply "antiques" and if your password is "Sunflower", put "favorite flower". So it will say "antiques favorite flower", and only you will know what it is and what it means.
6) Never save your password for any sites that contain financial information, including Paypal. Some browsers will offer to save passwords for you, always say NO - do not ask me again.
These are just some tips that I have picked up along my way in the 11 years I've used Ebay and 10 years I've used Paypal. If it does make you feel better, a prepaid credit card would be an option for you.
