Date Received: 2020-09-16
Issue: Unexpected or other fees
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: OnXX/XX/20 I received a debit card via the USPS from Paypal. I did not sign up for an account nor did I authorize an account to be set up in my name. I do not now, have ever or plan to do business with Paypal. The account was opened fraudulently with my personal information. The card came with a 16 digit card number, a 3 digit safety code and my name printed on the debit card. Literature enclosed with the card asked me to set up direct deposit from my employer, had a routing and Assigned Account number. I called the phone number on the back of the card to attempted to speak with someone regarding this situation. After several prompts the automated system stated they were unable to take my call and disconnected. I then tried 8 other phone numbers listed for Paypal I found online and affiliate banks that were listed on the card. All of the calls ended with the same message and disconnected. In total, on XX/XX/20, I made 21 calls over the course of several hours with no results or any option to speak with a live agent. The automated system asked for the 16 digit account number but since it was a fraud account I did not want to enter those numbers fearing it would " activate '' the card. One of the automated system prompts suggested going online for inquiries. This requires registration of one 's account. Since the account was set up fraudulently I did not feel it was a smart idea to register a fraud account. On the morning of XX/XX/20 I made multiple attempts to contact Paypal all with the same result as my numerous calls of XX/XX/20. I then located the card issuing bank listed on the back of the card and called their customer service. When I contacted The XXXX XXXX the person I spoke to stated he, unfortunately, was unable to help. He also stated that he was instructed by Paypal via management, a year ago, that he/call center reps were not allowed to transfer calls to Paypal or give out any phone numbers to customers who wanted to contact Paypal. After being unable to get Paypal on the phone after multiple attempts I tried to contact them via social media only to get, what appeared to me, chat bots that were unable to help or offer any other form of contact. I have yet to hear back from Paypal from my social media private/direct messages. It is clear to me that Paypal is avoiding any and all contact with customers or anyone else needing to have questions answered. This is a very dangerous practice as people 's credit/financial status is at risk. Paypal did not do their due diligence when opening this account. I did not receive an Adverse Action letter nor did I receive any Enhanced Due Diligence Letter during the account opening process. No other contact was made by Paypal to verify if the application was fraudulent or valid. I have made every reasonable effort to contact Paypal regarding this account that was opened fraudulently and it seems as if Paypal has made a deliberate effort to avoid being contacted.
Company Response:
State: VA
Zip: 232XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-16
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-16
Issue: Communication tactics
Subissue: Frequent or repeated calls
Consumer Complaint: This company XXXX XXXX has been calling me every day XXXX or XXXX times a day. I submitted a claim before and they stop calling for about a week or so and now theyre doing it again. They are trying to collect on a debt from 2002. Way past the statue of limitations
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-16
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-15
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I was a victim of a paypal chargeback scam, where the client paid money for services, then did a chargeback, and Paypal didn't investigate or advocate for me nor did they provide contact info of the client 's bank.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 11220
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-15
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-15
Issue: Problem adding money
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: I have utilized my PayPal account along with it's linked PayPal Cash Card which is issued by MasterCard for more than a decade to be able to track and handle certain types of purchases independently from my main checking account debit card ( through XXXX ). On XX/XX/XXXX of 2020, my PayPal Debit Card was charged {$15.00} from XXXX for a XXXX subscription on as it is on a monthly basis. A feature within PayPal called Automatic Top Up handles making sure that sufficient funds are available and transfers the needed funds from your selected checking account ( with a debit card as a backup funding source ). This is handled by putting a hold on the debit card for the funds, then initiating an ACH transfer from the bank, and releasing the hold once the funds are received. During this transaction PayPal 's systems failed ( per their own admission on recorded telephone calls ) and thus the balance of the account went into the negative, putting my account into " collections '' mode, disabling the debit card, and because regular transactions take " 3-5 business days '' to credit -- manually applying the {$15.00} to get the account balance to {$0.00} will not even credit until XX/XX/2020 causing the account to be locked and unusable. Attempting to contact customer service automatically transfers my call into their collections department. However, they have no ability to address the situation, and since the account is already ( slowly ) being brought back to a {$0.00} balance stated that the " real customer service department is not available by phone, and only available through chat paypal.com/help '' and typing 'Agent ' to the bot Attempting to reach someone through that method has been fruitless as it simply states that it will send the conversation ( I had with the bot ) to someone and they will get back to me. This is not acceptable customer service when it comes to my money! Especially after 20 years as a loyal customer.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 77494
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-15
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-12
Issue: Unauthorized transactions or other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2020, we received a text notification of a very unusual transaction through our PayPal account. This is an account I've had for years and it is set as a business account. However, we have not been using it for such purposes, as we handle our invoicing and accounting through another company, XXXX. We opened a claim, coded by the service provider as case Case ID : XXXX with a total of 9 fraudulent transactions for a total of {$1900.00}. The person who hacked our account created all these to include payments to people we do not know and 2 transfers to a credit card ending on XXXX, which the hacker added to our account right before doing the transfers. They were only able to get {$50.00} out into their card, then removed the card from our account. Also, the same day, a transaction charging a " XXXX XXXX '' for services we did not provide that person ( because we do not know who he is! ) was reported as an unauthorized transaction for a total of {$240.00}. This case is filed by Paypal as Case ID : XXXX. The day we get all this horror in our account, we try to contact PayPal to report the issue, and of course, customer service is unavailable due to the pandemic crisis. I understand the terrible threat this virus crisis represents to all businesses, but honestly, do not think that in an emergency situation such as a security concern, customers would have to figure out in their online platform how to file a claim and wait for the best, until they please to respond. In the meantime, you give hackers the opportunity to walk away with your money, with your personal and business accounts information, and with your privacy trashed. The only way to deal with this claims is online, on a message center that glitches all the time. You have to wait 12-24 hours to get a response. In the meantime, you are going crazy as you know your bank accounts are susceptible to getting accessed and you loosing your money. I've been chatting and emailing PayPal since XXXX XXXX, 2020 until today, XXXX XXXX, 2020, still trying to resolve this issues. On XXXX XXXX I was able to speak with someone over the phone, the agent assured me they will be resolving the cases ASAP. Until today, only case XXXX is partially resolved, because one of the CC transfers for {$50.00} is still not restored in our available balance. Fortunately most of the transactions in this case were chosen by the hacker to get paid from a business savings account that has been closed for 2 years now. And that was just by the grace of God! I had to place stop payments from PayPal from all my bank accounts to protect our funds ; I had to withdraw the little money in that account that is only being used for me to send money to my sister. She holds one of the issued debit cards to this account, so she can access funds when I deposit to her, but now we feel very insecure to use this. But case XXXX is still active, they have not resolved it and they had no shame in sending me a message that this will be closed in favor of the sender! Can you believe? I have a whole record of the desperate messages I've been sending since receiving this notification on XXXX XXXX, 2020, as the PayPal system obligates me to respond to this claim, when I did nothing! My answer choices to the claim are non-applicable : - I've already shipped the product or provided the service - I've already issued a refund - I'll issue a refund to my customer and close this case I can not respond to this claim, which means the hacker will be favored, and the PayPal customer will be punished for something they did not do. And this is all due to their flawed automated system and their disgraceful policy and bad corporate decision to have this kind of situations handled by a machine rather than a human expert on security cases available immediately as a problem arises. I file this complaint not only to make you aware of this particular case, but that I'm sure this makes part of a huge wave of safety issues in the financial services arena. XXXX security is a huge problem that has been evolving for years, but now due to the pandemic crisis, the problem is susceptible to escalate to much higher levels if financial services companies and the system in general does not prepare for a greater threat. I hope you can bring this to the attention of high executives in PayPal, starting by Mr. XXXX XXXX, President and CEO, PayPal. We've lost credibility on their services and their ability to handle money online. No matter what systems are in place, you can't ever disregard the human component. A machine can't never replace the need for individuals taking care of individuals. As a business owner and entrepreneur, I firmly believe this, and hope my message comes across for the benefit of consumers, and for the enlightenment of those who lead corporate operations.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 77007
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-12
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-14
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Subissue: Debt is not yours
Consumer Complaint: Back in XXXX of XX/XX/2019 there were 5 cases opened on my PayPal and there was a negative balance placed on my account. The party that has been trying to get this resolved ( XXXX PayPal account ) contacted XX/XX/XXXXand PayPal to see why the charges were returned. XXXX XX/XX/XXXXstated that the account was flagged in fraud and PayPal reversed the charges causing the negative balance. XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) stated the account should have never been flagged for fraud because the charges were valid, the only thing that should have been flagged for fraud were the security charges for the credit card she never signed up for. XXXX XX/XX/XXXXrefused to put the charges back on the account and to contact PayPal to have the negative charges removed. PayPal refuses to remove the charges as well. I have proof that the other party has sent in complaints to get this fixed. This balance is not mine and I do not claim it. I want this removed from my account before a harassment suite is filed, attached are the different phone numbers PayPal contacts from and the proof that the charges should have been removed in XXXX because I have buyers protection. My PayPal account ( XXXX ) does not owe this balance and I am not responsible for these charges. I want the harassing calls and emails to cease. Trying to collect on a balance that is not owed by the party is illegal. PayPal has breached the law, and a harassment suite will be filed if these charges are not removed immediately.
Company Response:
State: TN
Zip: 37601
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-14
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-14
Issue: Problem getting a card or closing an account
Subissue: Trouble closing card
Consumer Complaint: Venmo in which I was receiving unemployment benefits ; without notice and explanation froze my account with {$5900.00} in unemployment benefits frozen since XX/XX/2020. I am requesting an investigation and asking the my consumer right are protected and my much needed FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT IS RELEASED IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU XXXX XXXX.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 30309
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-14
Issue: Confusing or missing disclosures
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2020, my paypal account was sent {$4500.00} & {$5000.00} thru friends and family. This what sent from a friend. I went to transfer some of it since I needed this money especially after everything 's happening do to the Coronavirus. However, I couldnt bsend it thru a card, a bank, or even a wire transfer nor friends and family, even had my brother send me a payment thing to my account for exact amount in my account since his goes straight to his bank. Still nothing. PayPal limited my account just a few hours later. I couldnt do anything or show any proof as to this is my account and it was legitimate. XX/XX/XXXX I believe my friend was supposed to refund his money back since I couldnt find the screen too. However this ended up being worse since he did a unauthorized transaction, he believed it to be more a default setting nothing he did technically is what he explained to me. On the XXXX paypal rules in my favor even though thay wasnt the point. On 2 of XX/XX/2020, after sending all my info describing all my issues and doing everything ask of me by the 15 different agents I spoke to paypal closes my account for suspicious activity. For reasons not really understood even though I had read the policy and have sense. I tried numerous times trying to speak to someone however I rrcieved a bit or the same message saying sorry for any inconvenience and how the closing of the account was final and couldnt be disputed. They don't say to you it cant be disputed in there policy on closing of the account. Now they are saying I have to wait for 180 days to withdraw my funds. This is ridiculous in nature especially in a pandemic as we are in. This was all do to PayPal restricting a paypal cash account without any reason too and also so to husband setting up the account for me not understanding the difference between this kind of account and a buisness account. When trying to fix the errors in the account and limitations is ultimately what causes the account suspension. Had paypal advised the issue would have raised I could have kept from it.
Company Response:
State: WV
Zip: 26101
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-14
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-12
Issue: Other transaction problem
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: You have authorized a payment of {$110.00} USD to ( ). Money won't leave your account until processes your order.XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX PDT Receipt XXXX Hello XXXX XXXXXXXX This charge will appear on your credit card statement as payment to PAYPAL XXXX. Save time with a PayPal account Create a PayPal account and save your payment information. You won't need to enter your payment information every time you shop online. table.callToAction td { background : # XXXX url ( http : XXXX XXXX left 17.5 % repeat-x ; } .callToAction { XXXX! important ; } Sign Up Now Shop with confidence We keep your financial information secure. Transactions monitored 24/7 Our fraud specialists help protect your account. You're protected Zero fraud liability for eligible unauthorized purchases. See eligibility Merchant information : Instructions to merchant : None provided Shipping information : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, MA XXXX United States Shipping method : Not specified DescriptionQtyAll the items in your shopping basket ( see details in the store and on your store receipt ). Item # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX Please keep this receipt number for future reference. You'll need it if you contact customer service at or PayPal. Help XXXX XXXX XXXX Massachusetts Division of Banks, ( XXXX ) XXXX, http : //www.mass.gov/dob, PayPal holds a Foreign Transmittal Agency license with the State of Massachusetts - License Number XXXX. XXXX XXXX : XXXX. Please don't reply to this email. It'll just confuse the computer that sent it and you won't get a response. Copyright XXXX PayPal, Inc. All rights reserved. PayPal is located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX. PayPal Email ID XXXX - XXXX I ordered item on XX/XX/XXXX I paid tbrough website and yet it says PayPal. I never received item company wont respond and paypal says they are not involved.
Company Response:
State: MA
Zip: 01013
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-10-08
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2020-09-11
Issue: Fraud or scam
Subissue:
Consumer Complaint: In XX/XX/XXXX I had signed up for a Venmo account in order to send/transfer funds/ money to my daughter in the amount of {$62.00} utilizing Venmo 's mobile phone app. I had assigned/attached my personal checking account for the payment/transfer method. This transfer and receipt of the funds/money by my daughter was successful. Since this time I have not had any further use of the Venmo app. On XX/XX/XXXX I received an email from VenmXXXX indicating I was paid {$150.00} from an unknown individual. I basically ignored the email and did not check my Venmo account to verify the receipt of this money. On the same day I received another email from Venmo indicating a random individual has made a friend request. I did not know this individual and did not accept this friend request. Again, I ignored this email. Then on XX/XX/XXXX I received email 's indicating two unknown individuals had sent money to my account. I kept receiving email 's and money being sent by random people on various dates in XXXX. I brought this situation to the attention of my son and daughter since they utilize Venmo more often. They were both baffled why random people were sending money to my account. I do not know the specific date I Googled to research for information regarding people using the Venmo app to send money to random people which led me to read information of method 's being used as a scam of sending money using Venmo and the method being used to obtain money illegally when the money is being reversed or refunded. The information indicated it is a fraudulent scam. I then reached out to Venmo through their app to chat with a representative regarding this matter. I asked if my account had been compromised? the representative stated my account was not. I also asked if the money being sent to me is part of a scam going on with people using the Venmo app in an illegal manner? The representative basically stated these random people sending money to my account is an apparent mistake or typo sending to my Venmo account name. The representative indicated I can go into my Venmo and reverse/return the funds to the sender 's. I told the representative I did not want to do the refund/reversal in case it is part of this fraudulent scheme/scam that I had reviewed online. The representative stated it is not part of a scam and she would do the reversal/refund on her end which was completed. I still continued to receive money and reached out to a Venmo representative through chat regarding the same issue, the representative proceeded to do the reversal 's also indicating the money is being sent to me by mistake. Now again several more times in XXXX I received money again from random individuals and had another representative complete the reversal/refunds. The total amount of funds received has been calculated to be {$820.00} coming from approximately 12 random individuals. It appears the Venmo app does not have any type of feature such as a pop-up for people to review the information to make sure people are sending funds to the proper person before completing the fund/money transfer. I have not done a test myself to see if this is a feature but there needs to be some method to prevent this continual sending money by mistake or typo errors. Typing my Venmo user name does not appear to be easy that an typographical error could occur. All Venmo chat transcripts have been emailed to me and have been retained.
Company Response:
State: AZ
Zip: 85746
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2020-09-11
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A