Date Received: 2021-08-25
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I started using PayPal for a service I provided. I went on a XXXX channel and after people wanted psychic readings. It happened unexpectedly. Within 2 weeks 80+ people have contacted me. I didn't realize the problems with PayPal before like 21 day holds on funds even after the service was successfully provided. They often deny my ability to use my debit card claiming they can not confirm it's me. My phone provider is XXXX. The account is in my name. I actually have a physical credit card from PayPal they 9 times out of 10 will deny usage. Today I loaded XXXX cash from my XXXX payment through another bank to Paypal and they now are denying me the ability to send money to a friend. I borrowed money because PayPal denying my card left me stranded. I am a homeless Veteran living XXXX XXXX XXXX. I left my home because we ran out of water. I am currently looking for a new place but funds are short and PayPal is holding money I desperately need. After I withdraw my {$1000.00} from PayPal I plan to close my account. I also will be contacting an attorney as I feel this is preditory business practices.
Company Response:
State: OH
Zip: 44203
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-25
Issue: Problem adding money
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I had the following chat with PayPal 's incompetent robot chat feature this morning at XXXX. It clearly doesn't understand that XXXX is past XXXX when the humans should have awakened from their slumber and taken back over from the robot overlords. Put me through to a representative or I will file a CFPB complaint. XXXX XXXX XXXX our agents are currently offline. Please try again during business hours. They will return on XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: VA
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-24
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Dear Sir/Madam, I have an account with paypal for like nearly 10 years. Last XX/XX/XXXX I received an email from permanently limited for a potential risk. Which I am confused why would my account be a potential risk that the account doesnt have any transactions for the past 8 months. I called paypal 3 days ago to allow me to withdraw the funds for $ XXXX as their is no potential chargeback or whatsoever as their no transactions for the past 180 days. The customer service responded that it is their system that they hold the funds for 180 days even if is no transactions for like 8 months. How that abide their rules or policy stating on their email that they hold funds for 180 days for potential chargebacks which I do not have any payment received for the past 8 months. This is not fair holding the funds for 180 days without any valid reasons, it is just because their system default for holding 180 days even if their is no potential risk of having a financial recovery as the account doesnt received any payments for the past 8 months ( last transaction XXXX for {$78.00}. My paypal email is XXXX Reference ID : XXXX
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 90266
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-24
Issue: Other service problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I have an account on Paypal since like XXXX for buying and occasionally selling legally No chargeback, complaints or whatsoever My account was verified by them and abide the laws or policy but then XX/XX/XXXX I got an email that my account is permanently limited without any reasonsMy paypal account is very helpful as attached some subscriptions payments that can enlighten or entertain my daughter and family during this pandemic..Please see attached photos that I never had any case opened since I use paypal and no other suspicious activity..It is not fair that paypal just shut down the account without any violations.. Paypal email account : XXXX Name : XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 90278
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-24
Issue: Unexpected or other fees
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: After 20 years of using PayPal with zero issues, I received an email from PayPal on XX/XX/XXXX informing me that my account was permanently disabled due to a review of my recent activity. I called PayPal customer service the same day, and it was explained to me that PayPal believed I used my account to sell a gun, due to transaction notes on a recent payment mentioning XXXX. I explained I sold a hunting rifle scope, not a gun, and a rifle scope does not violate their user agreement. I was told regardless of what was sold, my account lock was permanent and could not be contested, regardless of their being zero evidence of me actually violating the terms of service or user agreement. The gentleman on the phone explained that my account was now locked, and my {$820.00} cash balance, and {$200.00} crypto currency investment I had purchased through PayPal would both be frozen for 180 days. I was told that after 180 days I would receive an email with instructions on how to temporarily lift the account lock so I could withdraw my cash, and sell my crypto currency to withdraw the cash from the sale of those as well. At no time was it explained that PayPal may chose to keep my money. I was told several times, Sir, after 180 days youll get your frozen money back. However on day 175, 5 days before the expected email, PayPal withdrew my entire cash balance of {$820.00} for damages and for violation of user agreement. I was given no warning, they sent no transaction or confirmation email. Not a single notice that typically comes with any money movement in my PayPal account. After 180 days, I called customer service to request an explanation of the charge, as well as requesting they release my crypto currency so I could sell it, and remove that cash. I was informed I should review the user agreement, which has buried deep in the fine print that it allows them to charge up to {$2500.00} per user agreement violation. I again explained no transaction ever violated their user agreement, and was again informed that it appears you used Paypal to sell a gun. Which I did not. In regards to the Crypto, I called three times in XX/XX/XXXX and spoke with PayPal customer service. Each time I was told a case would be set up, and I would receive an email to unlock the freeze on my crypto, which has now grown in value to over {$400.00}. I have yet to receive an email, and as of today, the crypto is still frozen in my account. The balance changing daily based on current crypto values. I dont believe PayPal has any intention of releasing it, I also believe they train their customer service to highlight the wait 180 days and youll get your money back line, while never mentioning the potential of losing it all to their secret fee buried in the user agreement because they want to avoid any complaints up front, and hope the delay reduces that risk. They have provided zero evidence of any user agreement violation, except for the completely false and baseless accusation of me selling a gun through PayPal, which never happened. They provide no recourse or ability for me to prove that I did not violate the policy, have told me simply the decision is final, I can not contest it, etc. PayPal has set up their system to allow them to ban anyone at any time, for any reason, and they can then lock your account, and withdraw your funds without any proof of damages, any proof of violating their user agreement, and give you no ability to contest their decision or defend yourself against their baseless accusations.
Company Response:
State: UT
Zip: 84780
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-24
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I use the money transfer app Venmo to send money to friends and family. I had scheduled a payment of {$400.00} to be drawn from my checking account and sent via Venmo on XX/XX/XXXX. However, on XX/XX/XXXX, I received a notification on my cell from Venmo, saying that the payment failed due to insufficient funds in my checking account. I confirmed with the recipient that she had not received any payment. Subsequently, Venmo placed a hold on my account, demanding {$400.00} which they claim to have floated in order to complete my scheduled payment. I attempted to contact Venmo through their in-app help chat feature, but their representative simply insisted that the payment had, in fact, gone through. They suggested I ask the recipient to complain about not receiving the payment, but that is not a practical or appropriate solution to the problem that is happening with my own account. The recipient has not received the {$400.00} I attempted to send her, and Venmo has seized {$300.00} worth of payments sent to my own account to satisfy this " debt '' that does not actually exist. They have refused to actually address their mistake, and instead are basically extorting money from me by threatening to send the debt to collections if I do not pay quickly. Consumers should not be put in a position where they have to choose between paying an invalid debt and having their credit score ruined. Please take appropriate action against Venmo , LLC to prevent them from engaging in abusive and fraudulent practices such as this.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 92103
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-24
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: My business is buying and selling clothes online, all through Paypal. XX/XX/21 : I sold a hoodie for {$850.00} on the website XXXX. I have been buying and selling on XXXX for over a year and a half. XXXX is a very big company and works directly with PayPal. I have never had an issue from Paypal regarding any buying or selling on XXXX. XX/XX/21 : Paypal limits by business account and says they need for information to verify my business. I submit screen shots from my XXXX account of my purchases that were later sold on the same website. All buying and selling has been through XXXX and Paypal. I also submit my driver 's license and a description of my business. XX/XX/21 : Paypal says that after a review, they have decided to permanently limit my account. The {$850.00} in the payola account is now on hold for 180 days. XX/XX/21 : Around XXXX XXXX noon, I talk to XXXX at Paypal. She is a manager and says that a human at PayPal looked at my information and permanently limited by access to my business account. I asked her to look into it and she says that they will but they can't tell me why it was limited. She says it'll take 24-48 hours to get an email. XX/XX/21 : I have not received any reply back from Paypal, the {$850.00} that was going to be used for rent is now stuck for 180 days, and nobody will contact me. The hoodie has been delivered to the buyer.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 10002
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-25
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I have had a ton of fraud on my paypal account and after getting everything fixed, accounts closed and reset with no help from paypal becuase they do not offer support my account is now suspended ( after fixing myself ). In order to resolve they are asking to resent my password which I have done countless times, verify my identity which I have done, upload a copy of a bill, and then provide a copy of my drivers license. For a company that has zero support and no one to talk to, asking me to upload a copy of my ID is a joke. I refuse to send them a copy of my ID when they have no accountability for anything they do. I have asked for alternatives to get the account unlocked so I can get my money out of there and close the account but to no avail. There is not a lot of money in there but they might as well be asking their customer to just provide their SSN, DL, date of birth, mothers maiden name, and blood type to sell to spammers. I'm sure there is nothing that can be done and I will lose the little bit of money that is in there but I would rather not have more fraud in my life from a company that I know has a horrible reputation. If you can help that would be great or if they want to see my ID I would be more than happy to show it but I am not uploading it for them to keep forever. PayPal really should be shut down and prohibited from operating in the U.S.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 32259
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-23
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: Earlier today my PayPal account was closed with the reason being in violation of " PayPal Acceptable Use Policy '', now I know for a fact that my PayPal account has not been in violation of PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy as all I have been selling on my PayPal account was services related to marketing. Now PayPal 's limitation was unexpected to say the least, my PayPal account holds a balance of over {$220.00} CAD which are inaccessible for withdrawal. PayPal has caused me great financial loss by limiting my account incorrectly and I request that PayPal lifts this limitation and lets me withdraw my funds out of my account. I have personally been a long time user of PayPal and have not had any issues in the past years, for this to suddenly happen without any sort of reason given. I have attached PayPal 's user agreement as a PDF, I can confirm I have not violated PayPal 's user agreement in any sort of manner either. I XXXX XXXX have been using PayPal 's services fairly having had 0 disputes in the past, with fully satisfied customers. PayPal 's limitation on my account has caused me great financial loss from future clients being unable to use PayPal. I have attached additional proof showing that my business dealings using PayPal have all been regarding marketing my clients ' 'XXXX server ' ( Proof attached shows my latest transaction on PayPal ). XXXX is a social media platform where users can create servers for people to meet up and communicate as a community, I personally have been selling marketing services to 'XXXX server owners ' ( Clients ) guaranteeing an increase in their XXXX server member count. I have gone through PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy and have found that my service is infact compliant with PayPal 's policies.
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-23
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2021-08-23
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XXXX XXXX I got an email, notifying me that PayPal are initiating closure of my PayPal account ( Ref ID - XXXX ) and blocking my $ XXXX balance, because I am in violation of PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy. I sell Instagram Accounts and in XX/XX/2020 I've got another limitation by PayPal, and they asked me to explain my business and where the money are coming from ( Ref ID - XXXX ). In that case I explained everything about my business and where the money are coming from and PayPal had been restored my account, without telling me that I am in violation of PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy or that I have to stop my business. Since then, all I did was to continue my business and buy or sell accounts, like I did before. I didn't change anything in the way I work and I didn't change the source of the income. Whether I bought or I sold a virtual product ( XXXX accounts in my case ), I did it using this PayPal account, and all my transactions show that I am not selling stolen virtual goods. At first, I thought this was a mistake, so I emailed XXXX, requesting a second review, and they redirected me to PayPal 's Executive Escaladation, but they told me it wasn't a mistake and I was really violating PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy, but they didn't tell me what exacly was against PayPal 's policy or which products or services are in violation with the policy. They told me that they will do regular reviews of the account and they will tell me when I can withdraw the money and how much I can withdraw. My problem is that most of the money in the balance ( up to 75 % ) are coming from transactions that are older than 6 months, so there is no way of chargebacks or refunds. That being said, the reason why I am writing this is because I want to understand what I did wrong and how I was in violation with PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy. I expect a clear explanation, giving me the number of the transaction that violated PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy and more importantly, why it did. Besides, I request another review of my account in which PayPal to calculate the damages ( if there's any ) and let me withdraw at least a part of my money, since most of them are coming from transactions older than 6 months. I suffered huge losses for my business and the only reason I've got was " Some of your products or services are violation of PayPal 's Acceptable Use Policy '' and this is not enough for me to block my XXXX $ balance and ruin my business. I understand that under their User Agreement they can hold my money up to 6 months, but I want to understand the reason why they are doing it, especially when they verified my activity back in XXXX and didn't find anything suspect.
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2021-08-23
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A