Date Received: 2024-01-03
Issue: Other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2024 I attempted to transfer {$75.00} from my Venmo account over to my PayPal account. The Venmo service initially would not execute the transfer, stating that the transfer had failed and saying lets try this again. I should state, I am a new customer to Venmo. I carefully followed all of their requests during the process of opening my account to verify my identity. The account was opened, and they did accept a deposit from a friend of mine. After making several attempts without success, I contacted the customer service department to figure out what was wrong. While I was on the phone with the customer service representative, I received an email from Venmo stating that my account has been frozen, and demanding I send a photograph of my drivers license to them. I did this, and asked the customer service representative on the chat what they had done to freeze my account, they stated nothing. I was told to follow the instructions in the email, and that my account would be unfrozen quickly. I did so, and the account was not opened. A couple of hours later I reached out to their customer service department via phone to the request the account be opened and money transferred, they stated that they could not transfer the money, nor could they offer any explanation as to the exact reasons why the account was frozen in the first place. They also refused to give a reasonable timeframe as to win the account might be opened, only stating a rather vague 7 to 10 days. I explained to the customer service representative that they could not simply kidnap my money for over a week without giving me any reason whatsoever, and I was told that I would just simply have to wait through the process and that they would release my money to me when they could. At no point have I been given a good explanation as to why the account was frozen, nor an acceptable timeline for when it would be opened. Taking money from people and not allowing them access to it is theft. Venmo should be fined and forced to give me my money back immediately.
Company Response:
State: VA
Zip: 23238
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-03
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-02
Issue: Money was not available when promised
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XXXX XXXX I went local XXXX XXXX XXXX Cash Deposit {$220.00} in with PayPal Debit Card after done They Blocked me unintentionally stated need investigation upon money place in account am not allow removed money with in few days I notice PayPal sent a message alert on app they making services changes looked to me suspicious because right there being up excuses must hold money XX/XX/2024 they PayPal very unprofessional do a lot scheme towards Clients I shouldnt be waiting 6 months own cash placed own pocket dont owe money period need them release funds asap
Company Response:
State: OH
Zip: 44102
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-10
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-02
Issue: Other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I tried to renew a subscription. The vendor offered the option to use PayPal. I selected the PayPal option, signed into my PayPal account, and requested payment. The vendor 's subscription form then displayed the PayPal logo with the message, " You've authorized this payment through PayPal. Contribution Amount : {$25.00} '' and confirmed my email address. I took a screenshot of this image. I next checked my email to make sure the transaction had been completed. Usually I get an email confirmation from PayPal, but this time there was no email. This puzzled me, so I next logged into my online banking. A debit of {$25.00} by PayPal and specifying the correct vendor was present among my other banking transactions. This suggested to me that PayPal had withdrawn the correct amount of money and was processing the transaction. I then called the vendor to confirm receipt of payment, but they said they had not been paid ( yet ). Unfortunately, I did not document this PayPal withdrawal from my online banking by taking another screenshot. Assuming the transaction was processing, I waited for a few days. On XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, I followed up by checking my email for a message from PayPal. There was none. I then checked my online banking, and the debit of {$25.00} by PayPal had disappeared. I tried calling PayPal to find out what happened, but there was only an automated system and it did not list my transaction date. That being a XXXX, I waited and again tried calling PayPal on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. Again there was only an automated system which suggested I use the XXXX feature. I submitted my inquiry via the Chat, but it only gave me an automated response via XXXX. The XXXX XXXX did not understand my explanation and kept asking me the same question, which was something along the lines of whether I was asking why a payment was declined. I said " no '', since I'd already seen PayPal withdraw funds from my account, indicating that a transaction had been started. Finally I asked that the issue be directed to a customer service representative but got no response. I called another time later in the day and received only the automated system asking me to select among some irrelevant options. Since my subscription was due by the end of the year, I ended up paying it using another payment method, so I no longer need the PayPal transaction to be completed. However, I do need an explanation for the following : ( 1 ) Why did PayPal say that I'd authorized payment but then not complete the transaction? ( 2 ) Why did PayPal debit my checking account and then apparently reverse it without giving an explanation? ( 3 ) Why didn't PayPal send me an email, either to announce that I'd made a payment using PayPal, or to notify me that the payment was declined? ( 4 ) How can I get the attention of a human being at PayPal who can respond to my inquiry? I did not lose money but am left hanging over an unresolved transaction without knowing the cause. I'm not sure whether any fraudulent activity was involved. I'm not sure whether it is safe to use PayPal again. The failure of PayPal to acknowledge or explain the steps taken or not taken toward my transaction does not inspire confidence.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 94706
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-02
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-03
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account
Subissue: Transaction was not authorized
Consumer Complaint: PayPal debited my account for unauthorized charges. I do not own a PayPal account or authorize any charges. The account created is a fraudulent account.
Company Response:
State: AL
Zip: 35244
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-03
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-02
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Problem making or receiving payments
Consumer Complaint: Bills are past due and I really need access to my funds. My account was frozen after withdrawing funds ( multiple withdrawals adding up to about {$560.00} ) from my PayPal account to my Venmo account via my Venmo Debit card ( I do not have a PayPal Card and needed to withdraw funds via ATM ). I am 100 % verified on both accounts and never had any issues. I have provided my ID, as well as a selfie of me holding my ID as requested for verification purposes. I am willing to verify my identity via video call as well. Whatever it takes. I live paycheck to paycheck and this freeze on my account is putting my family at risk of becoming homeless. If Venmo 's security system was triggered for or was not satisfied with me adding funds via the method used, I am ok with Venmo reversing my withdrawals back to my PayPal account. I have a beautiful XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXr and a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX I ask that Venmo release unfreeze my account and allow me access to my funds. I can not wait even a day longer. It has been a week.
Company Response:
State: NJ
Zip: 07103
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-02
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-03
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I matched with a person on the dating app XXXX whose profile stated they were XXXX with photos that appeared to be a person in their mid XXXX. The person asked for my number after 3-4 messages and I provided a XXXX XXXX number . After moving off the dating app the person stated they were actually XXXX and started sending unsolicited pictures of a XXXX nature. The next day on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX, I received a call to my direct number from someone claiming to be a police officer stating that I was under investigation and stating that I could lose my job and saying " may god help you. '' The call was spoofed and came from XXXX. The false police officer stated that the girl 's parents were threatening to pursue legal action but that he could provide a number to the step-father to work things out. He gave me a fake name of XXXX XXXX for the step-father. I called the man claiming to be the step-father at XXXX, which I later traced to an app called XXXX. The step-father stated they had taken the girl to therapy, but insurance was unwilling to pay without a police report. He texted me a link that has a picture of a fake invoice with fake information, but the link is how I could tell the number originates from the XXXX app. Step-father said in order to avoid the police report, I should send {$2500.00} for the therapy bills to show that I am serious about the situation. Step-father had me send the money via Venmo to the account name XXXX who he claimed was his wife 's sister and specified not to send the money as a purchase. Step-father then asked me to delete all messages and contact information. My bank placed a hard hold on my account on Tuesday XX/XX/XXXX to prevent the {$2500.00} from leaving my account, and I closed the account and opened a new one per their recommendation. I also reported the fraud to Venmo on XX/XX/XXXX, but Venmo concluded in their investigation that the transaction was not fraudulent and has asked me to pay the {$2500.00} despite it being clear the transaction was fraudulent and despite the fact that I reported the fraud to Venmo and to my bank before the funds were transferred. I had also filed a local police report on XX/XX/XXXX, filed a complaint on XXXX on XXXX/XXXX, filed a complaint to Minnesota 's AG on Venmo 's decision today on XX/XX/XXXX, and filed a complaint to the FTC today on XX/XX/XXXX.
Company Response:
State: MN
Zip: 55416
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-03
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-01
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Subissue: Debt is not yours
Consumer Complaint: XXXX I used PayPal via XXXX to pay {$150.00} for a purchase. Immediately after, I realized it was a fake account/scam. Then the person disappeared. Now I am receiving a collection request from XXXX XXXX XXXX Reference # XXXX, account # XXXX. When a person uses PayPal to pay a third party a question is supposed to come up asking if the payment is for Friends and Family or a transaction for a purchase that includes consumer protection. This question did not come up during my transaction. It automatically defaulted to Friends and Family which offers no consumer protection. This is a gap in the XXXX or PayPal system. I immediately reported this to PayPal and XXXX as well as my financial institution. Monies were moved from my accounts to create a XXXX balance for funding PayPal/XXXX but payment still processed leaving a negative balance in my PayPal account . I have since been blocked from using PayPal since the debt has not been settled. I have screenshots of this transaction and notes from my conversations.
Company Response:
State: WI
Zip: 54115
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-01
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Lost my phone and there were PayPal purchases on PayPal account totaling XXXX dollars
Company Response:
State: AZ
Zip: 85120
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-31
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I contacted PayPal on XX/XX/ around XXXX to let them know that my account had been compromised and used while I on there for {$1500.00} I also told them to close my account to prevent further usage of it. They did not do that. They told me they would resolve the issue in 10 days. Its been past 10 days and still nothing. I called and spoke with a lady named XXXX and she told that the case has been resolved and that money would be refunded back to my PayPal balance the next day. However it was not and I called back and could not get an answer from anyone. I spoke with XXXX ( a representative ) and he told me I should have had my money as well if it past the 10 day investigation period.
Company Response:
State: TN
Zip: 37075
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-31
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-31
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2023 my PayPal account was hacked by a " XXXX XXXX '' for {$580.00} XXXX times. I immediately called PayPal and told them that I had did not make these purchases. The person that I talked to understood and was able to refund two of the {$580.00} totally {$1100.00} charges but told me that they had to investigate the other two charges. I was told that I would hear from them in 3-5 business days. After I spoke to PayPal I contacted my bank, because that was a suggestion made by the PayPal rep. They opened their own investigation on my behalf and locked down my account. On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from my bank stating that their investigation was complete and they determined that the transactions were not authorized by me and that they would deposit the {$1100.00} back into my account. Which would put my bank account back to where it was before I was hacked. I went into PayPal to close my account and found that they were holding me at a negative balance of {$1100.00}. I contacted PayPal and asked why they were saying I owed them money. They didn't have a good answer other then I owed them money. I went to my bank and was told once their investigation was closed that there was nothing that they could do. I made copies of the letters from my bank, copies of my bank statement showing the in and out of money as well as my transactions through PayPal and sent it to PayPal. I received an email once PayPal received my letter stating that they would look into it and like before was told 3-5 business days for an answer. Literally within an hour I had another email stating their investigation had determined that I had in fact made those purchases and owed them the balance of {$1100.00}. Yesterday I received I letter from a collection agency. I did not make any purchases from a " XXXX XXXX '', I did what I was suppose to do when faced with hacking and I contacted PayPal immediately. We use these companies because they are suppose to have safe guards to keep their customers safe and yet they're coming after me when I did nothing. Sadly I do not believe that I am the only person that this company has done this too, a little internet research showed others have had to fight as well. They are a huge company making millions, I am not, I need help getting this issue resolved.
Company Response:
State: PA
Zip: 18951
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-31
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A