I got scammed

[jlhastings79]

I am also the victim of a scam through Facebook. I was told my money would not be refunded because I sent it as a payment to a friend, since that's what I thought was happening. I'm disappointed that PayPal has decided to be a safe haven for criminals to defraud their customers. Has anyone successfully had their money refunded in a similar situation?

[kernowlass]

@jlhastings79 

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 sent a 'gift' of money to someone. Criminals would not be able to scam you if you didn't negate the buyer protection that paypal gives you.

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.

[jlhastings79]

However, when your "friend" tells you her dad is the one who purchased the tickets & provides you with his PayPal account, one believes their "friend" is telling the truth. She was not running a business, hence sending the payment as a friend. Once my friend told me her account was hacked I contacted papal immediately. Regardless of the technicalities, this was a fraudulent transaction. As a customer I expect the company to be a little more helpful. As an individual I am not able to write this off as a loss, unlike a giant corporation.

[kernowlass]

@jlhastings79 

Its yours and your friends responsibility to keep the security of your accounts safe.

As your friend did not then that is between you and her to sort out.

Buyer protection does not cover ''gifts'' of money so you have to be careful on who you send your gifts to.

[jlhastings79]

I'm sure she'll appreciate your recommendation. It'll be a shame when it happens to you or someone you know.

[kernowlass]

@jlhastings79 

You asked the question, and I gave up my time to tell you how it works. I don't write Paypals rules.

[Mystoblast]

Hello if you could look at my question and give me some advice I would very much appreciate it.