Scam

[Jack10108]

Yesterday, I ‘bought’ an item on the app Depop from a seller with a legit account. Then messaged and I sent the money over via PayPal, I then get a message from the account a few hours later saying ‘My account was hacked, this wasn’t my item’ So obviously I want to get the money back, I’ve tried Disputes, but there’s only one option and that didn’t work, I’ve tried calling but they said no one is available for that question. Cheers.

[kernowlass]

@Jack10108 

What does it say next to the transaction in your Paypal account?

1. Pending (with a clearance date)
2. Pending/Unclaimed with a cancel option.
3. Pending/Unclaimed withOUT a cancel option.
4. Payment or Sent.
5. Pending/Uncleared with a clearance date.
6. Pending awaiting authorisation.

[Jack10108]

It says Money Sent next to it

[kernowlass]

@Jack10108 

Then it sounds as if you used the friends/family option.

Are you sure the seller is legit? Only scam sellers ask for payment that way as they no there is little you can do about it if they don't send the item.......

A friends / family (or gift payment) is intended as a transfer of funds from family or friends to one another. For this reason, there is no processing fee when payment is made with bank or PayPal balance.
However as it is a gift payment, there is also no Buyer protection as no goods or services should have been exchanged.

If he was not a close mate or family member you should never use that option as it enables the seller to evade paying his paypal fees and negates your buyer protection at the same time.
You would also not be able to open a dispute apart from one citing an unauthorised transaction but that would be automatically closed as you did authorise the initial payment.

Be careful as using that option for purchasing goods is against Paypal rules and can lead to account limitation.

If you funded your paypal payment via a credit card then contact your card issuer and see if they will help you but unfortunately they may decline as well as it was a gift payment.