PayPal charged me the amount they should have refunded me

[dkibort]

I accidentally sent $250 to the wrong email address. I should have been refunded $250, but Paypal just charged me another $250 as a “recovery of funds for a chargeback case”. I requested the chargeback, not someone else. I also didn’t authorize this but it says I sent $250 to Paypal. The transaction type just says correction. Is this even legal?

[sharpiemarker]

@dkibort 

That’s what can happen if you file a chargeback on a friends and family/‘gift’ payment you sent. You’re supposed to message the recipient to request a refund: What can I do if I sent a payment to the wrong email address?

In PayPal‘s view, you did authorize the payment by sending it even if it was sent to the wrong email address. No one breached your account to send this payment without your permission which is what unauthorized transaction refers to. PayPal thinks it you that’s pulling a fast one. Friends and family payments are generally non-refundable by default. PayPal buyer protection does not apply. Except for actual unauthorized transactions.