Date Received: 2023-07-30
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Problem accessing account
Consumer Complaint: This company treated me so badly. My bag was stolen while I was in the hospital for a crisis from my mental health issues and my account and card was compromised. The company is blaming me for the incident and will not release my funds even though I won the disputes. I can not help this happened and did not authorize anyone to use my account. They sent me an email telling me there was no way they could help me. How do they have the right to tell me that this is my fault? How can they hold my funds pass the day of the dispute decision. They are holding my funds on purpose and locked my account on my birthday which was very wrong. I just want my funds and I want people to be aware because the company will blame the consumer for a compromised card. They denied the XXXX $ dispute because of the price without a proper investigation. The representatives were rude and cancelled my account due to the XXXX sound in my voice. As a minority of the lgbt community with XXXX history I dont think they should play with peoples money. I can not help this happened. I hope Venmo does something about the judge mental employees. I feel very discriminated against for being a XXXX XXXX XXXX and everyone should know how I was treated. All on my birthday. I just want my funds released. And they put notes on your account to be vicious so the next time you call the way you are treated wont change because of untrue notes left by rude representatives who judge customers based on their voice. They can tell when XXXX peoples call and they know a XXXX voice and treated my account as such. They had the ability to let me withdraw my funds. All of this happened as I got out of the hospital from a XXXX hold. They only made it worse. I have attatched the paperwork from the hospital I was in during this time. I feel so low as a human and my light bill is due and when told about them being disconnected I was told that its not Venmo fault your light bill is behind. This is unacceptable behavior from the women who work there. They were really judgemental and I may have to go back to the crisis center over this situation. Please help me. I have verified my identity 4 times but the robots keep sending the same email. So they have my email blocked from reaching a human who would hear this and sympathize with me. I feel mishandled and sent to the bot machine to handle human affairs. I was told in a rude way that my account was being frozen when XXXX the one reported the activity. They can not do this without even telling me what I did and not let me recover my {$560.00} and extra {$350.00} from a claim they denied because of the price of the transaction but the approved the XXXXXXXX XXXX transaction under the same conditions. This should be against the law and Venmo investigated and sued for XXXX and XXXX discrimination.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 315XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-30
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: My Venmo account was randomly frozen ( I still dont know whyno one will tell me ). In the years Ive used Venmo, Ive never had an issue, no payments returned, my credit card is in good standing, etc, nothing out of order. My last transaction was when my neighbor reimbursed me the {$200.00} I paid for our blocks bulk order of garden mulch, which comes together in one truckload, thereby avoiding a delivery fee. Suddenly my account was frozen for suspicious activity with no explanation??? Is there a problem with mulch? I even offered to send a copy of the receipt for the mulch. Spent hours on useless calls to reach VENMO support, always on hold, then disconnected. When I finally got through after holdin for 45 mins, they said they couldnt help me, some other team would email me. After approx 10 days, I received a highly suspicious email telling me to send a selfie photo holding my state issue ID, to a strange link in the email to unfreeze my acct?? What the heck?!? Every GOVT Fraud Alert site says to beware of these types of scam attempts such as asking for a selfie with an ID. This is a flag for fraud & they advise NEVER to send a selfie to verify anything. Banks do NOT request selfies to verify an account, plus my bank & credit card already verified my identity. So, I choose to be safe & follow the XXXX, CFPB & FTC advice but my Venmo acct remains frozen & Ive given up waiting for help. If internet companies want to act like banks, they should be subject to the same rules as banks so Im writing to you. One thing we older folks have time to do, is write a complaint when something is suspicious or will lead to more fraud. Please and thank you in advance, for your prompt response to this email.
Company Response:
State: PA
Zip: 19143
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-28
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Venmo suspended my account for no reason. I just opeed the account my brother sent me XXXX XXXX. The let him send the money the suspended the account and now I have to wait for a account specialist to unlock the account. It's been 5 days no one at Venmo has anything they can do. Monday XX/XX/XXXX was the day the suspended the account. I called everyday this week and the give me a million excuses
Company Response:
State: MA
Zip: 02301
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-28
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I am trying to pay my rent with Venmo. My Venmo account is verified. I have 2 bank accounts linked. I am however no longer able to send funds from my primary account. It simply gives me an error that says " Payment Declined. Please try again. ". Venmo says this is due to their algorithm believing it is a fraudulent charge. They offer no support and no way for me to verify the transaction. I am a legal and legit users. Venmo is such a big part of our society these days, and this is effectively preventing me from being able to make many digital purposes. It is unacceptable that Venmo wants to be considered a legitimate financial institution, but can't resolve simple issues like that. Please help me! Thanks, XXXX
Company Response:
State: NJ
Zip: 07302
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-28
Issue: Other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX i have switched debit cards and trying to work with paypal has not given any positive results,, I have talked with their specialists and they refuse to remove the card no longer in use and let me use the good card in file ... .. paypal keeps prolonging the issues and when i sell on XXXX XXXX can not transfer money to my account... i want them to get this straightened out.
Company Response:
State: IL
Zip: 60101
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-28
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2023, I purchased XXXX flavors of smoked salmon from XXXX online, each pack flavor costing {$80.00} for a total of {$160.00}. I paid using my XXXX XXXX XXXX on PayPal through XXXX XXXX. The shipment was delivered on XX/XX/2023. As soon as I opened the packs and realized that the items were different than described on the website, I sent an email to their support email at XXXX. The following day XX/XX/2023, XXXX XXXX responded, and I explained the issue related to the heavy salt brine. XXXX apologized and said it may have to do with a defective batch. She asked me to dispose of the items and that she will proceed to issue XXXX ( XXXX ) refunds of {$80.00} each for a total of {$160.00} to my card. I received a confirmation email after that. Several days later, I realized that only XXXX of the {$80.00} had been credited to my card. I reached out again by email and was told definitively that XXXX ( XXXX ) {$80.00} refunds were posted. After several back and forth, XXXX XXXX sent an email on XX/XX/2023 with XXXX ( XXXX ) screen shots showing the refunds had been issued to my credit card through XXXX and that there was nothing else they could do on their end. I informed her that I was going to have to file a dispute because I had confirmed that the remaining {$80.00} credit definitely did not credit to my account. I have included the original order receipt and the refund correspondence leading to my filing of the dispute. My credit card company initiated the dispute only for the {$80.00} that was not credited to my card and issued a provisional credit to me while their investigation is going on. The investigation is not completed and there has been no additional credit to my card besides the {$80.00}. On XX/XX/2023, I received an email from PayPal indication that a limitation had been placed on my account and that I must reimburse PayPal {$160.00} for a chargeback. The email had the case number XXXX XXXX I was unaware of any {$160.00} chargeback besides the {$80.00} dispute. I called PayPal and was told the chargeback was from my credit card company, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). I called XXXX and XXXX confirmed theres no {$160.00} chargeback and that only {$80.00} dispute was initiated. I reached back out to PayPal, and Ive been bounced back and forth from XXXX customer service agent to another, all insisting I have to reach out to my credit card and refund the {$160.00} chargeback. PayPal has this limitation on my account for no justifiable reason. Its my consumer right to reach out to my credit card company to file a complaint when a merchant claims to have issued me a refund that has not been credited to my account several weeks later. PayPals attempt to punish me for doing that is a violation of my right. I have over {$8000.00} sitting in my savings account with PayPal and cant even afford to send my dad money for his medications because PayPal decided to hold my account XXXX. PayPal should immediately remove the limitation from my account. I am not making XXXX more call to PayPal. And should anything happen to my dad during this period when PayPal held on to money for his medications, I will be pursuing legal recourse.
Company Response:
State: IL
Zip: 60089
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-28
Issue: Money was not available when promised
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: My XXXX XXXX XXXX son ( XXXX XXXX ) was XXXX in action on XX/XX/23 while fighting with the XXXX XXXX in XXXX. My wife and I have maintained contact with several of my son 's fellow soldiers who are still in XXXX fighting on the front lines. One of the soldiers mentioned that they were doing a collection within the unit to purchase a badly needed drone since their unit was never issued one by the XXXX military. I asked how much the drone costs and was informed that a quality drone with thermal imaging runs about {$5500.00} ( USD ). I told the soldier that my wife and I would be happy to purchase the drone for them since they are so important and save lives on the battlefield. Needless to say, they were very appreciative. I sent {$5500.00} through Paypal, only to discover Paypal was holding the funds and not releasing them. The soldier ( an American ) refunded the money and so I decided to send a couple of smaller payments. The soldier receiving the funds managed to get the funds released except for {$1700.00} which Paypal put on hold. When the soldier contacted Paypal they informed him that the funds were being frozen for 180 days and that his Paypal account was permanently frozen and banned. When he asked why, the contact person refused to give him an answer. Paypal is notorious for pulling shady stunts like this with no explanation. I tried calling Paypal myself to see what I could do to get the funds released and was told there was nothing they could do since it was not my account that was frozen. I did file a dispute with my credit card company, but I doubt it will resolve this problem.
Company Response:
State: WI
Zip: 54449
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-28
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX customer service number in XXXX and then XXXX call the number. I had a feeling this was not an XXXX customer service rep and I asked him to approve it and I dont remember what he said. But he went on to say they had red flags all over my XXXX account and people are trying to hack into it. Well, I love XXXX and I was freaking out so I fell into his scam. This is what Happened-he first of all had me go and download the app called any desk.com. Once we got into that he had me go into XXXX and purchase XXXX XXXX products. XXXX product was around {$90.00}. The other product was around XXXX. Then he had me go into my Venmo account, which at that time had a XXXX balance. I realize then when he kept correcting the spelling of these XXXX individuals that it was in my phone, but I still went on with him. He had me send {$500.00} to XXXX individuals. He then wanted me to go to XXXX but he did not tell me why. I told him I was legally blonde, and some friends were going to come pick me up later. XXXX will have them take you to XXXX. So when my friends arrived and they listen to him, they said he is a fraud And this is a scam you have fell into. So then I hung up on. XX/XX/XXXX which was the following Monday I went to the bank and reported to them what it happened. They closed down my checking account, savings account, and all my cards. My Venmo account had a XXXX balance. So I wasnt even worried about the Venmo transactions at that time. So the bank did refund me the {$90.00} and the {$70.00} XXXX products that I had bought. Probably XXXX or XXXX days later I got a notification from Venmo that I had a - negative {$2000.00} in my account. Which again my Venmo account was at a XXXX balance. so I contacted Venmo and told them I was scammed and they need to really give me back the {$2000.00}. I explained to them it did not come out of my checking account and XXXX not sure why it came out of a XXXX balance in Venmo. They wrote me back and told me to contact the people that I had sent the payments to. I said, like I told yall during the complaint it was a scam. I do not know the XXXX people or individuals that the Scammer sent the money to, so no I can not contact them. I said please replace the money they have refused to do so. I then contacted my local police station and filed a complaint with them. The police report complaint number is XXXX. The Venmo complaint number is XXXX. I am still waiting for the police XXXX to call me back regarding this complaint against Venmo and about the Scammer. so my biggest question is I feel like I do not owe Venmo back {$2000.00} with a XXXX balance in my account. They should have a safeguard for people who have XXXX balances not to let any money go to any individual whatsoever. I would like to have the {$2000.00} back into my Venmo so XXXX have another XXXX balance. I have a few screenshots of like the people sent the money to. I took the screenshots during the call so I dont know if you would like to see them. Please let me know whatever what other information XXXX help me with this complaint, so it can get resolved. My phone number is XXXX. I must say I have gone through absolute XXXX because of the scammer. Thanks so much for your help in advance XXXX XXXX.
Company Response:
State: TN
Zip: 37027
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-28
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-29
Issue: Other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: XX/XX/2023 I sold my collection to another person. We used PayPal for the transaction of {$1600.00}. Paypal took out a fee of {$47.00}. Leaving me with {$1500.00}. Paypal informed me that it will take 21 days for the money to clear to make sure the buyer was protected. I waited the 21 days. On XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, I checked my account and they were permanently disabling my account and that I can not use PayPal anymore, they stated they will hold my balance for 180 days. I did nothing wrong to have this happen. I want my money from this account. I called the business and they stated they did not see any reason why this happened but had to send this to the review board, which can take 7 days. I want Paypal to remove the limitations and I want to be able to get my money and transfer it out of PayPal.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 301XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-07-29
Issue: Confusing or missing disclosures
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Good evening, I'm writing you for the following and not understanding why you placed an account limitation on my account as this is unacceptable to me. I use my PayPal debit card to make purchases as well as sending and receiving money to other buyers/sellers as well as transfers to and from my bank account. Just today you put an account limitation on my account and froze the balance of {$15.00} of my money for 180 days and you couldn't give me a reason for this, which is unacceptable you are not a bank. I would like corporate to step in if at all possible and come up with a resolution to removing the account limitations you set forth on my account, so I can continue using my PayPal account in good faith. I look forward to a response from your team, XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: WA
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-07-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A