I avoid PayPal totally for any online purchase unless it's the only option. I learned it the hard way. Once I paid $5 to buy the trial version of some software

I avoid PayPal totally for any online purchase unless it's the only option. I learned it the hard way. Once I paid $5 to buy the trial version of some software tool. Since I didn't know the seller, I used PayPal thinking it would offer more protection. After one week I was charged another $100 for the full license. I contacted the seller asking for a refund, but they declined it on the grounds of me having already accepted "recurring charges" on my PayPal transaction. Apparently I had but it was kind of hidden on the transaction and I hadn't paid enough attention. I contacted PayPal but they refused to help either. Finally I reached the credit card service attached to my PayPal to initiate a charge back. But at the same time I informed the seller about my intent and they refunded me instantly. So long story short; don't use PayPal and if you have to, use only reputable credit cards. Never use your debit card on PayPal. PayPal doesn't protect you any more than your credit card does.