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OT PayPal Woes

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Bob Bennett

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I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that 'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
 
What a plain pain!

I read an article last year (Wall Street Journal or Forbes, I believe) that this has really become a problem area for PayPal. They've exerted these freezes, often spuriously and with an iron fist, quite often and have taken a great deal of heat over the matter.

I would be inclined to make as much noise as possible. Written correspondence to PayPal management first. If you're in the U.S., file a complaint with your States Attorney's office.
 
KTanaka said:
What a plain pain!

I read an article last year (Wall Street Journal or Forbes, I
believe) that this has really become a problem area for PayPal.
They've exerted these freezes, often spuriously and with an iron
fist, quite often and have taken a great deal of heat over the
matter.

I would be inclined to make as much noise as possible. Written
correspondence to PayPal management first. If you're in the U.S.,
file a complaint with your States Attorney's office.
Click to expand...
I now never ship anything to anyone who has paid with paypal until the funds have gone into my bank account!

I had a problem about a year ago with someone buying a camera from me and I shipped it and then I get an email from paypal saying that it was fraudulent funts and took the money back. Meanwhile a $1500 camera is being overnighted to the person who stole the other guys account.

It's just so risky out there now!

Good luck!
 
Gotya said:
KTanaka said:
What a plain pain!

I read an article last year (Wall Street Journal or Forbes, I
believe) that this has really become a problem area for PayPal.
They've exerted these freezes, often spuriously and with an iron
fist, quite often and have taken a great deal of heat over the
matter.

I would be inclined to make as much noise as possible. Written
correspondence to PayPal management first. If you're in the U.S.,
file a complaint with your States Attorney's office.
Click to expand...
I now never ship anything to anyone who has paid with paypal until
the funds have gone into my bank account!

I had a problem about a year ago with someone buying a camera from
me and I shipped it and then I get an email from paypal saying that
it was fraudulent funts and took the money back. Meanwhile a $1500
camera is being overnighted to the person who stole the other guys
account.

It's just so risky out there now!

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Yes that is the smart way to conduct buisness. Cash is king, and only when its in the back shall it ship. Paypal is notorious for freezing and never paying.
 
photosniper said:
Gotya said:
KTanaka said:
What a plain pain!

I read an article last year (Wall Street Journal or Forbes, I
believe) that this has really become a problem area for PayPal.
They've exerted these freezes, often spuriously and with an iron
fist, quite often and have taken a great deal of heat over the
matter.

I would be inclined to make as much noise as possible. Written
correspondence to PayPal management first. If you're in the U.S.,
file a complaint with your States Attorney's office.
Click to expand...
I now never ship anything to anyone who has paid with paypal until
the funds have gone into my bank account!

I had a problem about a year ago with someone buying a camera from
me and I shipped it and then I get an email from paypal saying that
it was fraudulent funts and took the money back. Meanwhile a $1500
camera is being overnighted to the person who stole the other guys
account.

It's just so risky out there now!

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Yes that is the smart way to conduct buisness. Cash is king, and
only when its in the back shall it ship. Paypal is notorious for
freezing and never paying.
Click to expand...
--
Frank from Phoenix
Canon 1D Mk2, Minolta G500 and lots of typos
 
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The
reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has
reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made
this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very
happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any
claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that
'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say
I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't
seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this
estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
Click to expand...
 
They like freezing accounts the moment the owner withdraw funds! Meanwhile they EARN interest on your FROZEN $$$ :-P Send them an e-mail stating you DO NOT agree to their Terms & you want your account CANCELED! You may be lucky to get your money back before 120 days ;-)
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
Click to expand...
--
Arnold
http://www.mabuhaybeauties.com
 
Sorry to hear you problem.

PayPal is the worst scum of the American Corporate world.

I had a similar problem on the other end. I paid for an item, the same item was then relisted the next day. I reported the suspecious activity to PayPal but they refuse to do anything for 10 days. At end of the 10 days period, I did not even hear from the seller once, and the seller had closed the PayPal account leaving me with no refund.

There was no customer service during that time from PayPal, they refused to disclose any information regarding the seller even after the seller closed the account and admitted the seller was fraudulent.

From that date on, I refuse to use PayPal to receive any payment. If you do use PayPal, wait for at least three days after your withdraw instruction is cleared. But it still doesn't stop PayPal come after your bank account if they detected any problem. Basically, they figure it's easier to get money off hostest consumers like you and me, and harder to go after the fraudsters, so guess what, we, the customer always loss.

What has happened to you is probably a scam involving US based middleman. Russian fraudsters have been trying to employ unsuspecting US residents as courier and middleman to ship items out of the country. This way, the seller is not aware that the sale is an international sale.

The local law enforcement agency is just not equip to deal with Internet crimes. The best way to deal with this is at the FCC/FBI level. Here is the web site address, and this is your best bet.

http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The
reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has
reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made
this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very
happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any
claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that
'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say
I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't
seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this
estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
Click to expand...
 
It's more likely the frauster has the money now. I even think PayPal is actively promoting fraudulent activities, since they are not even doing anything prevent crime on the Internet.

When you account is frozen, they deny all resposibility. But they hold all the information about the fraudster (like bank account details) they refuse to handed over to you, or even do anything to recover the money for you.

I have not heard a single case that they have successfully prosecuted any PayPal related criminals. Come on, PayPal, don't tell me that there is zero fraudulent activity on PayPal...

You are right - PayPal SUCKS.
Noldar said:
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
Click to expand...
--
Arnold
http://www.mabuhaybeauties.com
Click to expand...
 
That doesn't proof PayPal has good customer service. Over 800+ transactions, I hope you have a dedicated PayPal rep for your account. Maybe just a phone number with real person on the other end would be very nice.
GHuff said:
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The
reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has
reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made
this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very
happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any
claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that
'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say
I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't
seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this
estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Between me and Ghuff, we have over 1000 transactions with paypal without a problem. I have not had a SINGLE problem with over 200 transactions. If fraud were as rampant as you claim, don't you think we would have been victimized at least once?

At least once???????? What are the odds of 1000 transactions without fraud if Paypal really were as bad as you claim?????

Can you give us the item number you paid for and then the item number where it was relisted??????
dchao said:
PayPal is the worst scum of the American Corporate world.

I had a similar problem on the other end. I paid for an item, the
same item was then relisted the next day. I reported the
suspecious activity to PayPal but they refuse to do anything for
10 days. At end of the 10 days period, I did not even hear from
the seller once, and the seller had closed the PayPal account
leaving me with no refund.

There was no customer service during that time from PayPal, they
refused to disclose any information regarding the seller even after
the seller closed the account and admitted the seller was
fraudulent.

From that date on, I refuse to use PayPal to receive any payment.
If you do use PayPal, wait for at least three days after your
withdraw instruction is cleared. But it still doesn't stop PayPal
come after your bank account if they detected any problem.
Basically, they figure it's easier to get money off hostest
consumers like you and me, and harder to go after the fraudsters,
so guess what, we, the customer always loss.

What has happened to you is probably a scam involving US based
middleman. Russian fraudsters have been trying to employ
unsuspecting US residents as courier and middleman to ship items
out of the country. This way, the seller is not aware that the
sale is an international sale.

The local law enforcement agency is just not equip to deal with
Internet crimes. The best way to deal with this is at the FCC/FBI
level. Here is the web site address, and this is your best bet.

http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The
reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has
reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made
this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very
happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any
claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that
'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say
I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't
seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this
estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Frank from Phoenix
Canon 1D Mk2, Minolta G500 and lots of typos
digital evolution: Nikon 990> OlyE20> Pentax *ist D> CanonMK2> ?????
 
It happen in Apr, it was for an LEGO toy that requires an immediate payment. This is the only time I forgot to email the seller before payment is made, seller even had 100% pos feedbacks.

eBay Item: 3185508642

Same items the seller was trying to sell, I have contacted all the buyer, and no one had received a single email from this guy! Take a look and see what you can tell me, I am not a eBay newbie either (with 140+ 100% pos feedbacks)

01,Apr-01, 3185508642, ldasma
02,Apr-01, 3185509409, ldasma
03,Apr-01, 3185509223, angeleyes91521
04,Apr-01, 3185506427, randomvaultguy
05,Apr-01, 3185695421, gratefulsue
06,Apr-01, 3185693622, gratefulsue
07,Apr-01, 3185694821, gratefulsue
08,Apr-01, 3185696744, gratefulsue
09,Apr-05, 3186300189, gratefulsue
10,Apr-02, 3185734250, ceron
11,Apr-07, 3186709184, ceron,
12,Apr-05, 3186300483, dchao99
13,Apr-05, 3186300028, choctaw111
14,Apr-07, 3186693044, klausunion
15,Apr-07, 3186692838, wraith1966squadron
16,Apr-08, 3186859884, jake781026

The last LEGO's he was trying to sell (3186859549) but caught by me before the sale was completed.

Here is the bid history for the last item, interesting to note that gadget-tron was hologramgod himself. And gadget-tron had also left pos feedbacks for hologramdog.
http://offer.ebay.com/ws3/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=3186859549
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws1/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=hologramdog

So within 2 weekes, the seller had pocketed over $3000. And now, he is probably using another user ID and doing the same thing to others.

I am not complaining about the millions of honest users of the Internet. It's PayPal no doing anything to prevent crime on the Internet! Nothing!

Just tell me if you can find a telephone number listed on PayPal's site. I had no problem with PayPal until something went wrong, and then there is nothing from PayPal, denying all responsibility.

Also, it depends on what you are trading on eBay too, if it's less than $100, the frausters are unlikely to be paying any interest in them.
Frank from AZ said:
Between me and Ghuff, we have over 1000 transactions with paypal
without a problem. I have not had a SINGLE problem with over 200
transactions. If fraud were as rampant as you claim, don't you
think we would have been victimized at least once?

At least once???????? What are the odds of 1000 transactions
without fraud if Paypal really were as bad as you claim?????

Can you give us the item number you paid for and then the item
number where it was relisted??????
Click to expand...
 
All it takes is one time to ruin the 1000+ good transactions. I've heard enough stories to make me stop using paypal to receive money. I've run a lot of money through paypal and I've been lucky so far but no more. Even though the % may be low the fact remains that they take money from the easiest target when something goes wrong. That target is always the honest person. If they at least tried to help the honest person when things went wrong then I might still use them.
Frank from AZ said:
At least once???????? What are the odds of 1000 transactions
without fraud if Paypal really were as bad as you claim?????

Can you give us the item number you paid for and then the item
number where it was relisted??????
dchao said:
PayPal is the worst scum of the American Corporate world.

I had a similar problem on the other end. I paid for an item, the
same item was then relisted the next day. I reported the
suspecious activity to PayPal but they refuse to do anything for
10 days. At end of the 10 days period, I did not even hear from
the seller once, and the seller had closed the PayPal account
leaving me with no refund.

There was no customer service during that time from PayPal, they
refused to disclose any information regarding the seller even after
the seller closed the account and admitted the seller was
fraudulent.

From that date on, I refuse to use PayPal to receive any payment.
If you do use PayPal, wait for at least three days after your
withdraw instruction is cleared. But it still doesn't stop PayPal
come after your bank account if they detected any problem.
Basically, they figure it's easier to get money off hostest
consumers like you and me, and harder to go after the fraudsters,
so guess what, we, the customer always loss.

What has happened to you is probably a scam involving US based
middleman. Russian fraudsters have been trying to employ
unsuspecting US residents as courier and middleman to ship items
out of the country. This way, the seller is not aware that the
sale is an international sale.

The local law enforcement agency is just not equip to deal with
Internet crimes. The best way to deal with this is at the FCC/FBI
level. Here is the web site address, and this is your best bet.

http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The
reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has
reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made
this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very
happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any
claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that
'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say
I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't
seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this
estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Frank from Phoenix
Canon 1D Mk2, Minolta G500 and lots of typos
digital evolution: Nikon 990> OlyE20> Pentax *ist D> CanonMK2> ?????
Click to expand...
--
Greg M
http://www.mocanu.com/gallery/index.php
http://dslr.mocanu.com
 
Several years ago, I sold an expensive watch and was paid through Paypal. Several months later, long after the cash was removed from my Paypal account, they insituted a security hold, claiming the original credit card purchse was unauthorized. Several other customers then sent cash to me for other purchases, and, ZAP, Paypal took all that money out of my account. It took months to straighten out that one. I closed my Paypal account and refuse to use their services.
Gotya said:
I now never ship anything to anyone who has paid with paypal until
the funds have gone into my bank account!

I had a problem about a year ago with someone buying a camera from
me and I shipped it and then I get an email from paypal saying that
it was fraudulent funts and took the money back. Meanwhile a $1500
camera is being overnighted to the person who stole the other guys
account.

It's just so risky out there now!

Good luck!
Click to expand...
 
Dear dchao,

I never stated anything about customer service. All I said was 800 transactions, no issues for me. I was merely stating a fact. I have not had ocassion to use their customer service. And no, I don't have any kind of a rep for Paypal. Please don't read in anything between the lines.

Paypal is a business like any other business, and I'm sure their policies are mostly designed to protect themselves. They make users read and agree to their policies when a user signs up.

I use them because they are convenient and provide a widely accepted service.

People have opinions of good and bad for all businesses. My opinion of Paypal?.... 800 transactions...no issues. Take it for what it is worth.
dchao said:
GHuff said:
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The
reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has
reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made
this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very
happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any
claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that
'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say
I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't
seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this
estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I just sold me entire Pentax DSLR setup, over $3000 in stuff in the last month without a problem.
dchao said:
eBay Item: 3185508642

Same items the seller was trying to sell, I have contacted all the
buyer, and no one had received a single email from this guy! Take
a look and see what you can tell me, I am not a eBay newbie either
(with 140+ 100% pos feedbacks)

01,Apr-01, 3185508642, ldasma
02,Apr-01, 3185509409, ldasma
03,Apr-01, 3185509223, angeleyes91521
04,Apr-01, 3185506427, randomvaultguy
05,Apr-01, 3185695421, gratefulsue
06,Apr-01, 3185693622, gratefulsue
07,Apr-01, 3185694821, gratefulsue
08,Apr-01, 3185696744, gratefulsue
09,Apr-05, 3186300189, gratefulsue
10,Apr-02, 3185734250, ceron
11,Apr-07, 3186709184, ceron,
12,Apr-05, 3186300483, dchao99
13,Apr-05, 3186300028, choctaw111
14,Apr-07, 3186693044, klausunion
15,Apr-07, 3186692838, wraith1966squadron
16,Apr-08, 3186859884, jake781026

The last LEGO's he was trying to sell (3186859549) but caught by me
before the sale was completed.

Here is the bid history for the last item, interesting to note that
gadget-tron was hologramgod himself. And gadget-tron had also left
pos feedbacks for hologramdog.
http://offer.ebay.com/ws3/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewBids&item=3186859549
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws1/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=hologramdog

So within 2 weekes, the seller had pocketed over $3000. And now,
he is probably using another user ID and doing the same thing to
others.

I am not complaining about the millions of honest users of the
Internet. It's PayPal no doing anything to prevent crime on the
Internet! Nothing!

Just tell me if you can find a telephone number listed on PayPal's
site. I had no problem with PayPal until something went wrong, and
then there is nothing from PayPal, denying all responsibility.

Also, it depends on what you are trading on eBay too, if it's less
than $100, the frausters are unlikely to be paying any interest in
them.
Frank from AZ said:
Between me and Ghuff, we have over 1000 transactions with paypal
without a problem. I have not had a SINGLE problem with over 200
transactions. If fraud were as rampant as you claim, don't you
think we would have been victimized at least once?

At least once???????? What are the odds of 1000 transactions
without fraud if Paypal really were as bad as you claim?????

Can you give us the item number you paid for and then the item
number where it was relisted??????
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Frank from Phoenix
Canon 1D Mk2, Minolta G500 and lots of typos
digital evolution: Nikon 990> OlyE20> Pentax *ist D> CanonMK2> ?????
 
I've been ripped off far more by Walmart and Target that 1 in every 1000 transactions, dishonest checkers pocketing money, not putting high price items in bag, etc etc. In fact, I think it's safer than the traditional way of sellling used goods: ad in paper, meet some stranger face to face: how many people have been robbed that way? You've got to look at the whole picture.
Greg M said:
Frank from AZ said:
At least once???????? What are the odds of 1000 transactions
without fraud if Paypal really were as bad as you claim?????

Can you give us the item number you paid for and then the item
number where it was relisted??????
dchao said:
PayPal is the worst scum of the American Corporate world.

I had a similar problem on the other end. I paid for an item, the
same item was then relisted the next day. I reported the
suspecious activity to PayPal but they refuse to do anything for
10 days. At end of the 10 days period, I did not even hear from
the seller once, and the seller had closed the PayPal account
leaving me with no refund.

There was no customer service during that time from PayPal, they
refused to disclose any information regarding the seller even after
the seller closed the account and admitted the seller was
fraudulent.

From that date on, I refuse to use PayPal to receive any payment.
If you do use PayPal, wait for at least three days after your
withdraw instruction is cleared. But it still doesn't stop PayPal
come after your bank account if they detected any problem.
Basically, they figure it's easier to get money off hostest
consumers like you and me, and harder to go after the fraudsters,
so guess what, we, the customer always loss.

What has happened to you is probably a scam involving US based
middleman. Russian fraudsters have been trying to employ
unsuspecting US residents as courier and middleman to ship items
out of the country. This way, the seller is not aware that the
sale is an international sale.

The local law enforcement agency is just not equip to deal with
Internet crimes. The best way to deal with this is at the FCC/FBI
level. Here is the web site address, and this is your best bet.

http://www.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp
Bob Bennett said:
I sold a camera last Friday recieved payment via Paypal. The buyer
sent the money to Paypal and I sent him the camera.

Paypal has put a hold on the account and will not pay me. The
reason stated on the web site is that 'More than one buyer has
reported suspicious activity on your account'. I have only made
this one transaction on Paypal and the buyer assures me he is very
happy with the camera and has made no such claim.

The customer service reps agree that no buyers have filed any
claims despite the information on the web site. They tell me that
'security' has issued the hold and they have no idea why. They say
I should hear something in about three weeks. Given that they don't
seem to know whats going on I don't have much confidence in this
estimate.

Any suggestions about a next step? I can't afford a lawyer
--
Bob Bennett
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Frank from Phoenix
Canon 1D Mk2, Minolta G500 and lots of typos
digital evolution: Nikon 990> OlyE20> Pentax *ist D> CanonMK2> ?????
Click to expand...
--
Greg M
http://www.mocanu.com/gallery/index.php
http://dslr.mocanu.com
Click to expand...
--
Frank from Phoenix
Canon 1D Mk2, Minolta G500 and lots of typos
digital evolution: Nikon 990> OlyE20> Pentax *ist D> CanonMK2> ?????
 
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