I feel like such a baffoon. I am fairly informed yet I still fell victim to a PayPal phishing scam. What happens is that you will recieve an email stating you need to verify information regarding your Paypal account due to unauthorized login attempts. If you follow the link, like an idiot (like me) you will be taken to a page that asks you to verify payment information.

My checking account was cleared out and from what I was told by my bank's chief of security, this scam is originating from Romania. He said signs were pointing towards Romanian organized crime, and that there isn't anyone in that country willing to work with the banks to deal with this issue.

Lesson learned. Stay away from any email that is even faintly suspicious. And do not reply to any emails that ask for payment information.