Just got scammed

[ENaomi]

I bought something from someone online and paid through PayPal. However the item never came and they blocked me on all socials. I have screenshots of the chat as proof of our interactions if that helps. I’ve opened a case with PayPal however it was under unauthorised activity and I don’t know how effectively I pleaded my case. Is there someone specific I can speak to who can help with this issue?

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@ENaomi 

Why didn't you open a dispute for non receipt of item?

Or did you send a gift of money using the friends/family payment option and so could not open a paypal dispute?

Only a dispute for unauthorised is telling paypal that your account was hacked and used without your consent to make that transaction.
Paypal would check IP addresses and devices and close the dispute if it was you that made the transaction.

[ENaomi]

The option never came up on the resolution center. I think it was set to friends and family. I’ve only ever sent money to close friends so I didn’t bother to check what I picked but I didn’t click the option to gift the money so I don’t know what that contributes to my situation.

[kernowlass]

@ENaomi 

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), which 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.