Refund from inactive account

[Merek]

I sent my brother money to an account that he cannot access anymore as it is linked to an old phone number. How can I get a refund?

[kernowlass]

@Merek 

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.

[Merek]

It says “completed“. He tried to contact customer service, but without any luck talking to anyone because of limited staffing.

[kernowlass]

@Merek 

Then the payment has successfully completed to that number/email address it was sent to.

If he still owns that number or email address he can add it to his paypal account and the funds should show.

If he no longer uses that phone number then it may have been recycled and someone else is using it in which case he sent them the money.

If he did NOT use the friends/family option then he would be able to open a dispute against that payment and as the other person has nothing to send him then he should get it back again BUT if he sent it using f/f all he can do is contact that number and ask if they will refund.