Date Received: 2022-10-13
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I received a text from a person I thought was My friend XXXX, I told him that he needed {$400.00} XXXX send him via Venmo the amount XXXX had changed his phone number the reason was that some company had the same number attached it an official document with that old phone number BUT... but I still kept THAT old number list on my phone. What I didn't realize that that the text I received came from his old discarded # and that I had sent the money to that # I contacted my friend at a new number, and he claimed he never asked for anything. This was XXXX XXXX after the transaction and the money wasn't taken out of my account by then ... I called Venmo right away and they told me that there was nothing they could do, that the transaction had been done and that I should call my bank... and I did. the bank told me that there was nothing for them to do because the transaction didn't happen yet the money wasn't taken out of my account. the next day XX/XX/XXXX I contacted my venmo they claimed that they will start an investigation and I have the investigation number, ATTACHED is an email from venmo with that number. I also when to my local bank branch and spoke with a fraud person there, and they started an investigation too.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 10065
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-13
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Deposits and withdrawals
Consumer Complaint: PayPal I have XXXX accounts with PayPal, a personal account that has never been used for selling items and a business account that is used to both sell and buy items. On XXXX, PayPal; froze my personal account. 1. I was not notified in any manner, by email, letter, or online message. 2. When I tried to access my account, I received a variety of messages online, on XXXX - in essence, I could not pay bills, buy items, close or open funding sources ( my " Wallet '' ) nor access the {$1000.00} in XXXX ( XXXX ) that I had purchased from PayPal. 3. After calling PayPal, Chat online via their website, and using the PayPal messaging system on my account, I was able to find out : a. My account was frozen because I had somehow violated the AUP, Terms, and Conditions ( TOC ). b. But unless I subpoenaed PayPal no one would tell me what I had done wrong. c. My account was permanently frozen, I would get an email in 180 days or less that would let me know how I could retrieve my XXXX, delete my funding sources, and close the account. 4. I called and messaged PayPal more than XXXX times in the interim and have just completed XXXX contact attempts since the XXXX period expired- with no change from PayPal and typically just getting form/canned responses. 5. After my last call I received an email from PayPal telling me how to subpoena and/or file suit against them. 6. And in the interim my XXXX has lost XXXX XXXX of its value- while I could not trade it. And I have had at least XXXX @ fraud attempts on this account via scammers. As a consequence of PayPal 's actions and inactions, I have been exposed to financial fraud, lost ~ {$400.00} ( on paper of value in my account ), had to find other means to pay my bills, had to deal with vendors who were not paid, chased down credits and delete auto payments to XXXX charities ( handle by PayPal in a different manner ). I would estimate my direct costs at {$500.00} and my indirect costs at XXXX hours with unknown damage to my reputation. Imagine how bizarre this is to not know why, not be able to mediate through arbitration, while at the same time I have a working business account!
Company Response:
State: MI
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-13
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I wasn't sure how to list this. But Venmo, blatantly violated the protocol listed in the ETFA procedures listed for disputes. In this case, my account was frozen on suspicion based on a dispute filed by another Venmo user. They sent the emails informing me they were taking XXXX out of my account, in 3 transactions, identical to the original, at the exact same time as removing the funds, dropping my account to XXXX, directly after the dispute was filed, that clearly panned out to be a lie. I was told they had 75 days to clear the matter up. The ETFA regulations say 10, evidence in 3, and you can get 45 if they'd provisionally given the disputer the money. Upon informing them what they did was illegal, in fact, they violated any and all debt collection laws I can find, they manipulated the account 's financial data, poorly. I had a few back and forths, an agent confirmed the removal of the funds happened the same day the dispute was filed. I was told if I recieved XXXX in my account, it was settled. My irreversiblely closed account that I requested, got, and activated a new debit card on afterwards. The money was put onto the account quite some time later I was never supplied any evidence, and upon further inspection, I discovered Paypal, XXXX, and Venmo are operating on an expired Chaoter 217 license in Wiscinsin. You should see the fines listed, should Wisconsin be made aware. I asked them to unfreeze the funds, so I could just take them, and be on my way. Rhe emails I have clearly dictate the funds were awarded to me by the original creditor. They inforned me they could keep the funds from a 90+ day old dispute, that were said to be paid back to me, for an additional 180 days. They promptly paid themselves the funds. So I did what I'd done with XXXX. I blew them up on social media, as my account was even opened on their defaulted licensing. The Wisconsin license, as Seller Of Checks, that states they can not act nor hold a balance or " account '' as on like a bank, in any way. They sloppily tried to change the information in my account, sent 2 more emails stating I was awarded an additional XXXX total, I chalk that up to sloppy automated emails, but still, they read clearly. They then deleted all messages on the account, and Paypal, poor guys, pretty much ignored me on the subject. The evidence on this one, well, 1 transaction with the disputing party says we'd never had a transaction, the other 2 show what he'd written, and the evidence his account seriously violated their terms and conditons, they blocked me from. But I'd learned over the course of my recovering from identity theft. I have proof of it all. Multiple illegal transactions, ETFA violations, operating on an expired license, redacting, manipulating, deleting, and changing financial records, and fraud. I'm probably missing a bunch, but I just finished the long winded rant about the other one. And I still need to compile evidence for arbitration on another. You get your identity stolen, and things get odd fast.
Company Response:
State: WI
Zip: 53916
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-13
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: After many months of trying to get PayPal to send me my balance of {$50.00}. with no success, I called on XX/XX/XXXX. After a long cue I was able to speak with an offshore agent only to increase my frustration. I asked for a Supervisor numerous times before another long hold. After more than 45 minutes, I learned that although I have been a verified member since XXXX, PayPal policy will not allow them to send a check to my address of record because it is a po box XXXX In 14 years they had no problem taking money from my credit card with the billing address to the po box XXXX My account has always used this po box XXXX XX/XX/XXXX PayPal insisted on a home address ( as a victim of a violent crime mine is protected ). They asked for my drivers license. It also has my po box listed. They asked for a bank account, or a debit card. 1. I tried to add a debit card numerous times to facilitate receiving my {$50.00} credit balance. Their system would not accept it. Each time prompting me to try again later - 2. I explained this to the supervisor who walked me through the steps- again their system would not accept my valid debit card. I asked him to please send me my money. He declined. He insisted on more personal information. 3. I dont trust PayPal with my bank account based on all the complaints against PayPal . 4. I asked to close out my account- not add to their data base. 5. The Supervisor said I can not close my account with a credit balance. 6. They refuse to transfer my {$50.00} to my Visa credit card. 7. PayPal created a catch 22 situation to their benefit and consumer/ my detriment. They refuse to release my funds and refuse to close my account and remove my credit card from my PayPal account. Can you assist? Can you request my account credit balance of {$50.00} be sent to CFPB? Thank you,
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-13
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I tried closing my PayPal account but the " Close My Account '' link on the account page was a dead end ( I have screenshots ). I then tried closing it via the " Delete Your Data / Close Your Account '' link on the data page. I then received a message informing me that PayPal usually responds to REQUESTS for account cancelation within XXXX XXXX. I should not have to ask permission to close my account, much less wait XXXX XXXX or more for a response. I also believe the misleading dead links are an attempt to keep their stock from continuing to crash this XXXX, as many people are closing their PayPal accounts, which makes this not only a consumer issue but a securities and exchange issue, or so I would imagine.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 10952
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-13
Issue: Other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: PayPal said that my account was on hold for XXXX days due to suspicious activity but PayPal has no evidence to show or any proof and now i thought that i will get my money back after XXXX days but suddenly they already get my money without permission
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-14
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: The day after I opened a Venmo account & had money sent by my fiancee, I went to withdraw/transfer money to my bank account as well as send some back to my fiancee. I was unsuccessful at it and received an error message that my account was frozen. XX/XX/2022 account set up, money transferred on XX/XX/2022. Had opened up a dispute online immediately. XXXX had back & forth conversation about why my account was frozen & Venmo asking multiple levels of verification my part, which 2 steps from setup of account had happened before account open. Asking for debit card, bank statements, photo of debit card & photo of ID or passport also. They have what I felt kidnapped my money from me.
Company Response:
State: AZ
Zip: 85023
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-14
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-12
Issue: Closing your account
Subissue: Company closed your account
Consumer Complaint: I signed into my account and it stated my card was close. I was not notified at all that my account has been closed and I feel like my rights has been violated. Paypal had no authority to close my credit card and I would like my card to be reopened immediately.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 11218
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-12
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-12
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I first tried to close my PayPal account. Merchant ID XXXX. received an error message that a transaction was in process. I tried again three days later - same error message. A customer service agent told me it would take three days for the transaction to clear. So I tried again on XX/XX/XXXX and got the same error message. this time I could not reach an agent. Instead I got an endless email voicemail- for 2 1/2 hours. I just ask that PayPal close my account.
Company Response:
State: WA
Zip: 98201
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-12
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2022-10-13
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Have you heard about the more recent phishing scams using PayPal invoices? I think there is some liability on PayPal 's part. When my elderly relative received an invoice sent via XXXX he hovered over the return address to verify the sender. It really was sent from XXXX, and further it appeared to have been sent by " Billing Department of PayPal '' because the scammers had set their PayPal account company name to be " Billing Department of PayPal. '' *It seems outrageous that PayPal lets scammers use company names like that, which are so obviously designed to defraud people. * It made the phishing message seem even more legitimate. The message claimed to be alerting my relative to a possibly fraudulent pending charge. The charge would be posted in 24 hours. Since the message really came from XXXX and was sent by " Billing Department of PayPal, '' my relative believed it and called the toll free number provided in the email, and was scammed for almost {$70000.00} by two people over the course of two days. There was an initial scam and then a " fraud investigator '' contacted him to further scam him. It's sickening. The scammers sent wires out of my elderly relative 's bank account, but since his PayPal account was unharmed PayPal hasn't been very helpful. They won't even let him file a complaint. PayPal should not let scammers set up company names like " Billing Department of PayPal. '' That's entirely within PayPal 's control. They are letting scammers use their platform to defraud people and they don't seem to be doing much about it except tell people to report suspicious messages. That's not enough to protect the less scam-savvy members of society. Thank you in advance for any pressure you can put on PayPal to change this outrageous policy.
Company Response:
State: WA
Zip: 98117
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2022-10-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A