Apple 2 ebay 3rd party checkout, security risk?

[John <zzzjoki@yahoo.com>]

OK, this is a stretch to relate to Apple 2, but many foks here use
ebay to make Apple 2 purchases.

Some ebay vendors direct Apple 2 users only to Paypal through 3rd
party checkouts pages (you go to their sites, fill out a bunch of
market_junk, and eventually they direct you back to Paypal).

Is this a security risk? Why? A vendor could send you to a phising
site. I think this is possible, and some vendors come from places
which are not so friendly.

One of the main reasons I liked Paypal, from a user perspective, is
that they insulate you from the vendor. 3rd parth checkout *seems* to
defeat that insulation, deliberately, in a way which benefits vendors
only.

Thoughts?

Who would be good to talk to about this? I was thinking of magazines
or papers or something. I called CERT hoping they could direct me.

(I have talked to Paypal about this twice, at least.)