Date Received: 2021-10-01
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: PayPal treats their customers horribly! I have had a PayPal account for 21 years, since XX/XX/XXXX. In XX/XX/XXXX I was notified that my account was suspended, and all my funds frozen for 180 days, according to PayPal, due to Acceptable Use Policy violation, whatever that means. At that time, I was informed that at the end of 180 days I would get instructions on how to transfer my money out of PayPal. I have filed a complaint with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to which PayPal has responded : PayPal will make any remaining funds available to me for withdrawal on or before XX/XX/XXXX, and PayPal will notify me of this via email. I logged in to my PayPal account on XX/XX/XXXX and found my balance ( {$270.00} ) was withdrawn by PayPal to zero, due to damages caused by Acceptable Use Policy violation damages. What damages?! I called PayPal and after a significant wait was promptly told by a representative that there was nothing she could do and when I requested to speak to her manager, she told me that the manager would tell me the same thing. When I insisted, she placed me on hold and never came back on the phone. I hung up after about 45 minutes of waiting. Customer service at PayPal is non-existent. The bottom line is that PayPal broke their promise and without notification or any legal judgement, PayPal has confiscated all my money. There was never any explanation on what the damages were, I was being charged for. After extensive research, it became apparent that PayPal has been using its policies to justify illegal and fraudulent practices of stealing money from its customers. A reasonable person may see when a breach of user policy may be used to prevent someone from using their service, but to take someones property without a court order or any legal process constitutes theft in any civilized society. No person in their right mind would knowingly do business with PayPal under these circumstances. There are thousands of complaints against PayPal and several class actions suits. What they are doing is wrong and should punishable by law!
Company Response:
State: MD
Zip: 21136
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-10-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-10-01
Issue: Problem with customer service
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: A friend of mine wrongly sent me {$880.00} on Venmo ( intended for a different 'XXXX ' ). Unknown to my friend, I'm unable to access my account due to restrictions Venmo has placed on it due to it being in a collections ' status over a disputed account deficit. As a result, my friend is " out '' {$880.00} and Venmo will not comply with our requests to reverse the transaction. ( reference Venmo customer support case # XXXX ) My claim/complaint : Venmo has no right to leave my account to appear " open and active '' while restricting my control over how my personal information is presented to the public and/or prior Venmo network/relationships/friends. This is their way of " collecting '' funds, but their method is a violation of both my rights as a consumer and private individual. It is essentially " theft by deception '' and illegal seizure of assets through false representation. If they wish to collect on an account deficit, they can do so adhering to the laws of the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 900XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-10-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-10-01
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: In XX/XX/XXXX I was requested by Paypal to confirm my identity by submitting a photo of my ID and a proof of address. I provided a copy of my passport and a proof of address issued by a government agency to confirm my identity, but the proof of address was not considered valid. Therefore, I sent another proof of address, issued by another government agency, but it was refused for the second time. On XX/XX/XXXX, I was informed that my PayPal account was closed because of security issues and that my balance of USD XXXX would be held for 180 days. After several attempts over the course of the years XXXX and XXXX, in XX/XX/XXXX I was finally given the option to withdraw my fund by linking a bank account and transfer the funds. Unfortunately, I can not link the bank account as expected and receive the following error messages : " Sorry, were unable to link that bank because it is disabled. Please try another bank. '' or " This account needs a little help to link it. Contact us and we can help with that, or you can link a different account ''. I have contacted customer service without success as the customer service representatives can not help me solve my problem or give an explanation as to why this is happening. Their only suggestion is to try again after 48 hour. It is worth mentioning that I have waited 72 hours before each call, but I keep getting the same results. I have let the representatives know about this situation, and they say they can not give any other solution other than keep trying every 48 hours. I have been calling every three days for a month now with no luck. I feel hopeless with my funds being trapped. Therefore, I respectfully request your help in solving my problem and get Paypal to allow me to withdraw my funds that I earned with honest, hard work and that I very much need.
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-10-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-10-01
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I was in XXXX when the first transaction went through as a " Bill Pay '' to " Paypal '' on XX/XX/XXXX for {$3900.00}, then another one went through for {$6800.00} on XXXX. I was not alerted at all about any of the transactions and just happened to be checking my account since I was traveling... So I called them using wifi calling and told them these transactions were clearly fraudulent and the representative assured me she should have this taken care of and not to worry. On XX/XX/XXXX, another one went through for {$9900.00}. I called them freaking out and they kept telling me to call Paypal. I have called Paypal over 25 times at this point, starting from when I first discovered the transactions on XX/XX/XXXX and they can not find any information about the transactions using my bank account and routing number. XXXX has denied my appeals saying that I authorized these transactions to Paypal.I have gone into multiple branches, which has proven useless, as the representatives call the same fraud number and they also get the runaround. Since there is no direct number, I have spent hours on the phone with XXXX and Paypal, repeating my story each time to every representative I talk to, then I get transferred to the dispute department, then the dispute department tells me to file another appeal and then my heart sinks again with anxiety each time I get another denial, saying " an established device was used '' and " activity is not consistent with fraud '' when I clearly said this was fraudulent before the last transaction cleared. I am not understanding how every time I call Paypal they can not find any transaction linked to my XXXX accounts, along with the " Paypal account '' listed in the XXXX document ( per XXXX this Paypal account used to " add funds '' was established in XXXX ), yet this is inconsistent with fraud per XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX responded, " Our records indicate that the {$9900.00} payment was entered on your mobile app using a XXXX on XXXX XXXX. Considering that you contacted us the day before, there was no payment on file to stop. '' That is incorrect, because I told them that if it was necessary, I would gladly freeze my account, but the representative assured me otherwise. I have kept the minimum balance in my XXXX account so that they can be open for investigation, along with leaving the " paypal payee '' account info in my file for investigational purposes. I have also requested more information about the specific device that was used to " authorize '' these transactions and when/if these notifications went out ( I received no alerts whatsoever and have also asked when the contact information on my account was changed ), however XXXX continues to provide the most vague information. I also asked for IMEI, IP address, or exactly how/when these transactions were " authorized. '' They provided me with an IP address located in XXXX but I believe the first transaction may have cleared before I was in XXXX, but since they didn't give an IP for each transaction, I can't prove that for sure. I have filed complaints to CFPB ( with XXXX ), IC3, my local police, OCC, FDIC, FTC, yet XXXX assumes no responsibility. XXXX has taken 15 agonizing business days to get back to me via snail mail ( nope, no email or phone call in XXXX ). I have received ONE phone call from a XXXX representative to investigate my case after several appeals, countless calls and emails. It is outrageous that XXXX is disgustingly apathetic when one of their customers lost {$20000.00} under their care. On XXXX, they stated " with this final letter, we consider the issue resolved. We will no longer respond to inquiries regarding this matter. '' I sent a follow up email on XXXX requesting a three-way conversation with me, Paypal, and XXXX, but got no response. On XX/XX/XXXX, a representative from the office of the President 's Executive Branch said they will no longer respond to my inquiries and they could not conduct a three-way call. After exhausting all resources with XXXX, Paypal must have more information about these claims or at least communicate with XXXX that these claims are clearly fraud. I was told that there might be a third party involved in ACH transfers, if so, I need more information about all of these transactions. I am really not understanding how Paypal can not find any information about these transactions with the documents provided from XXXX. It is really insane both parties have no idea where my money went and refuse to give me any further information. As a consumer, this experience has been an utter nightmare, I have lost so much sleep and this has resulted in so many health problems from all of the emotional stress involved. Please, please, provide me more information, I really don't know how I can even prevent this from happening again and this has caused a state of constant anxiety. Thank you.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 94116
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-10-02
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-10-01
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2021 my employer sent me {$1500.00} via PayPal. When I attempted to transfer my money to my bank account ( which I had been doing for a year or more ) PayPal refused, citing a security concern. When I asked what the security concern was, they said they didn't know, leaving me unable to resolve whatever the problem was. Ironically, they said I could still send money to a third party ( for example, to a person I've never interacted with before ) but I was not permitted to transfer my money to my bank account. As I write this, PayPal still has my money frozen. They control it and will not let me access it other than to send to third parties ( from which, conveniently, they can extract fees ).
Company Response:
State: WV
Zip: 267XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-10-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-09-29
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Ref ID - XXXX, Paypal restricted and/or put my account to limited status. I have previously requested a review/appeal of my case which was denied. Although I still disagree with the decision to deny my appeal I will abide by it however because I feel that holding my funds for 180 days is excessive, and perhaps a punitive abuse of power. May email linked to paypal is XXXX.
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-09-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-09-29
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: They are not letting my money come on my PayPal all they want to do is keep my money from me please
Company Response:
State: MO
Zip: 64050
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-09-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-09-29
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Deposits and withdrawals
Consumer Complaint: I have an maintained an account with PayPal for 3 years. Today, I received a direct deposit from the IRS in the amount of {$9200.00}. Two minutes after the funds were available, PayPal placed a limitation on my account citing the unusually large deposit. I called their customer service team and asked them to correct their error. The representative informed me that he corrected the issue and within 3 business the limitations would be lifted and my funds would be available. Two hours later, I received an email stating my account was permanently locked and my funds were going to be held for at least 180 days and I had no recourse to reverse their final judgement.
Company Response:
State: MI
Zip: 482XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-09-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-09-29
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I was sent money to my Paypal account on XX/XX/2021, unfortunately I was unable to withdraw it as the money never reflected in my account. Moreso I received an email from Paypal that my account was temporarily limited and was asked to upload my national identity photo a thing which I did. Instead of my account being restored after following all their rules, a message popped in indicating that it has been held for 180 days.. I have tried reaching PayPal support team in vain, they still stick to their decision without considering how they have inconvenienced me.
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-09-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-09-29
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: The one im referring to is PAYPAL hello. i've been using paypal for almost 5months now and this is the first time i in counter a problem with paypal. i got permanently limited due to a sale of unapproved file sharing services. My only purpose of creating paypal account is to add a payment method in XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I didnt sell any file sharing services then how is that possible to limit my account for that reason? i tried to see all of my selling history but none of them are file sharing services can you help me to lift this false charge in my account please.
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-09-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A