Scammed by "seller" through PayPal Credit. Any advice on getting the credit back?

truejacksonveep
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Contributor

Recently was trying to purchase U2 tickets through the band's subreddit. Having not had any issues connecting with individuals in the past on there for things I was paying for, I figured it would possibly work again.

 

Connected with an individual and we agreed on price and everything. Turns out they were a fraud. While I was apparently stupid enough to use friends & family (via PayPal Credit) to fund the purchase, I did not know there is apparently absolutely zero recourse to assist in getting the amount back. I am new to using PayPal and although I understand why they do not seem to help with this situation, I have all the screenshots and proof needed to showcase their defrauding of my credit line. 

My main question is, are there any resources to remedy this issue? Do I go through PayPal or try to go through the lender in Synchrony? 

 

They are both rough to work with, as I opened a claim with PayPal and they closed it within a day and I have dealt with the nightmare that is Synchrony in the past. Yet I am more than willing to fight this tooth and nail as it was $1700 and I am livid.

 

Any and all advice helps! Thanks!

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@truejacksonveep 

 

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.




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truejacksonveep
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Yes, that is understood now that I am out $1700. It was also funded via a line of credit through PayPal. Hence why I asked whether I should be dealing with the seven levels of hell that is Synchrony or the blissfully apathetic PayPal. I understand Synchrony is the one who is the lender, but I cannot find any place where they mention PayPal Credit on their sites.

 

Additionally, the reason I put unauthorized use as my dispute is due to there being a lack of a better option. While I may have been aloof and understood what they meant about their inability to assist with this issue, then I would have never done it. Just as I did when someone else tried to pull the same game the next time I was interacting with an apparent ticket seller.  

 

I also don't see how anyone could see this as a "gift payment" outside of how PayPal has decided to label it as such? 

It quite clearly was not a gift payment and I have a litany of screenshots, messages, and more to prove the person was a complete and utter fraud. This has **bleep** me over quite royally and while I could eventually dispute the lack of my inevitable refusal to pay the sum that I never utilized in any sense of the manner that I meant it to be used, that is easier said than done. Apparently just as easy as figuring out how to remedy this situation for an individual who was already wary about PayPal and indifferent leaning negative towards Synchrony. Alongside why any company, especially one of this breadth of reach, would be the only one I have ever encountered to be beyond dismissive to those who made an honest mistake outside of the sheer profit-earning aspects no matter who gets **bleep**. 

 

One would think that a company as large the ones stated have become, there would be some path to ensuring a beneficial outcome. 

The TOS and other "agreed upon" terms are hot garbage and why I am about to have an aneurysm at the bitter, pearl-clutching age of 28. 

 

This isn't meant to come off as tempered irate towards you @kernowlass. But this is mind-numbingly frustrating to navigate. 

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@truejacksonveep 

 

As paypal credit is supposed to be an online credit card then as I said no harm in asking but they 'may' decline as it was a gift payment.

Phone number in this link.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cshelp/article/HELP474

 

A family /friends payment is a gift payment and is not to be used to buy either goods or services just sending gifts of money to family or friends. It also clearly states on both app and website that when you select that option there is 'no buyer protection' if you use it.

 

Paypal are not interested in screenshots / messages or anything else you have, you chose to use the friends/family option as so sent a gift of money regardless of any proof that you have. The only time that proof 'may' help is if you can take the recipient to the small claims court (if you have something like that in your country) and can prove they deliberately scammed you.

 

Again as you said this is not personal I am just stating how things work and the only options you have available.

Good luck that was a painful amount of cash to lose.


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