Scammed

[Gabecj]

Hi, Everyone has probably heard it all before, but I bought an gaming account online from a seller that had good feedback. I built up the rapport and thought he was okay. I then proceeded to purchase the account which I did using the buyers protection, but was then told this was wrong. He refunded back the payment and told me to send using the Friends & family feature, however not knowing that this does not come with the buyers protection and feeling I could trust him as he just refunded me the previous amount back (which I still haven't received) I went ahead. Unfortunately what I did receive was far from what we had agreed and then he proceeded to block me and have had no contact since. I know it's a long shot, but do I have any options? I have contacted my bank as it is still pending from my debit card, but they told me to contact PayPal and wait for it to show on my statements.. Thanks

[kernowlass]

@Gabecj 

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.