does paypal hold money until you mail a package?

[scoopman]

I sold a item to a person.. agreed on the amount.. he sent money but then I was told money was in account and would be released once I gave a tracking number.. this is my 1st time using paypal.. Just wondering.. they want me to send before I get any money?? what stops them from cancelling money once I send?? Is this normal .. Just didn't seem right to me and the email to send the tracking number to ..was strange.. <removed>.. I put in at instead of @ because it wouldn't let me use a email

So Em I worried for no reason or is something wrong here 

THANKS for any answers 

[sharpiemarker]

---

@scoopman wrote:

I sold a item to a person.. agreed on the amount.. he sent money but then I was told money was in account and would be released once I gave a tracking number.. this is my 1st time using paypal.. Just wondering.. they want me to send before I get any money?? what stops them from cancelling money once I send?? Is this normal .. Just didn't seem right to me and the email to send the tracking number to ..was strange.. membership at outlook.com.. I put in at instead of @ because it wouldn't let me use a email

So Em I worried for no reason or is something wrong here 

THANKS for any answers 

---

Yeah, you're dealing with a scammer.

Log on to your Paypal Account to see if there is actually money showing in the Summary page. Check the Balance box and see if there is a transaction for the exact amount of the order. PayPal does put a hold on funds but if a person actually sent payment and not trying to scam, it should be reflected in your Paypal Account in a Pending balance. If you see no money after logging on, then you're dealing with a scammer.

PayPal never asks you to send tracking number in an email. And PayPal always notify you when you receive money. No extra instructions like telling you to ship and add tracking number, etc in the same email.

[kernowlass]

@scoopman

This is a typical scam ..................

They encourage you to accept a 'direct' Paypal payment and may ask you to send the item internationally.
No funds or activity of the transaction shows in your Paypal account and any emails 'may' go into your junk or spam folders.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't because they don't actually have a Paypal account and have no intention of paying you.
It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.
They will tell you that the payment is released when you provide paypal with a tracking/shipping number......this won't happen.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.
Paypal do not tell you to send trackable, they advise it for selling protection but it is not compulsory.
Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.