Paypal instant payment via e-mail

[Morne87]

Hi all,

I have never used paypal before so hoping for an answer.

I received a payment for my wife's wedding dress with an extra payment that I have to send via money gram towards a shipping company for  the dress.

The e-mail contains content of the shipping agent's details and so on, but says that I have to forward a receipt and reference number before  the paypal money becomes available, for the Buyer and Seller's safety. Currently, according to this e-mail, the money is in a pending state.

I understand this, but as a sceptic I just need to confirm and settle my fears.

Is this an actual thing, or could it be a way to scam me out of money?

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Morne87

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and often state they can't view as they are disabled / working offshore or abroad or any other reason but they will arrange a shipping agent to collect the item.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.

If the item requires shipping the 'fake' paypal email will tell you that the buyer has paid for the item + shipping costs but you must send those shipping costs to the courier via western union / moneygram BEFORE the funds are released to you.

They are not interested in the item, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

They also threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service eg Moneygram or Western Union.

Also their is no seller protection on paypal for any items personally collected or delivered.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers and my advice is CASH ON COLLECTION ONLY unless you post it trackable yourself to any future buyers.

[Morne87]

O Thank God!

This was eating me up.

I will immediately report the e-mail as a spoof.

I went over the e-mail at least thirty times and it seems so legit, but something kept hindering me. That and the fact that our PayPal account showed no proof of anything pending.

I am so glad I asked the 'buyer' to postpone the shipping for a week.

Almost lost half my vacation money this week.

THANK YOU!!!

[kernowlass]

@Morne87

Your welcome, glad i saw your post.

Its the reason I give up my time on this forum to try and help folks not get scammed.

Just always remember no funds in paypal balance = not been paid.

No seller protection for items collected or personally delivered.  

[Morne87]

If I  knew you personally I would have bought you a chocolate right now.

[kernowlass]

@Morne87

I'm on a diet