Why does PayPal let fake Chinese companies like shopplaza scam Paypal users?

qqqqqqqqqq
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Contributor

Why would I use a service like PayPal when they can arbitrarily take money from and close the accounts of fraud victims?

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7 REPLIES 7

Ogniba
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Contributor

What response have you had.  I have been scammed twice by these companies ! 

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qqqqqqqqqq
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Contributor

It happened to my partner. They were duped by a fake Chinese Doc Marten site. After first contacting PayPal and getting no help, they contacted their bank. The bank returned their money because they recognized the fake Chinese Doc Marten site as an obvious fraud. So PayPal's response was to suspend their account and take the money out after they didn't respond to a PayPal email within one minute. I just don't understand why PayPal is so eager to let their customers be scammed?

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Kwl53
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Contributor
Paypal has denied both my claims so I am out over $125…they are protecting these fake chinese companies and keeping our money! This has to stop! Report to the FTC. If enough of us do it, they will have to pay!
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wire5s
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Contributor

I'm in total agreement. Recently had examples of ordering items and then, once Paypal has taken my money, hear nothing from the seller until a useless piece of junk arrives worth a few pounds at the most and sometimes not even that!!! Then Paypal offers up that they are pursuing the claim - and then zilch!!!! Think that my best solution is to stop using Paypal because they no longer offer the protection against scams which is the main reason people use Patpal!

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kernowlass
Esteemed Advisor
Esteemed Advisor

@Ogniba 

@qqqqqqqqqq 

@wire5s 

 

Chinese Web Sites or on Social Media ads easy to spot (once you know the below signs) so buyer beware.

Paypal would not be able to check every individual seller / merchant / company in over 200 countries worldwide that adds paypal to their website to accept payments.

So they give you 'some' buyer protection but the onus is on you to risk assess your transactions.

They do stop bad companies from using Paypal when enough claims start rolling in.
However as they are in China (mostly) then its easy for them to just start over with a new name, so stopping them does not really do anything.

The best thing is to not buy from them in the first place, to recognise them -

1. No return address on the returns policy. The site will look as if its in your country (where they despatch goods from) but they will ask for returns to go back to China (returns depot) at a shipping cost often more than the item is worth.
2. No contact telephone number. if you click on contact the most you will get is webmail or an email address.
3. Rarely company address information.
4. Great pictures of items at bargain prices that turn out to be tat.
5. Fake reviews.
6. Google and you can often see previous company names as they change them once enough claims roll in and Paypal stop them using their services and start over.

 


How do I open a dispute with a seller when a purchase goes wrong?

You can open a dispute in the Resolution Centre of your PayPal account within 180 days of payment if:
•You don’t receive the item OR service
•You receive an item but it’s significantly different than the description on eBay or on the seller’s website (or you receive a totally different product).

By opening a dispute, you can communicate directly with your seller to work out a problem transaction.

If you reach an agreement with the seller you can close the dispute. If you're still not happy with the result, you can escalate the dispute into a claim. Paypal will review the claim and decide on reimbursement.

These steps apply to Personal accounts. If you have a Business account, please log in to see the steps that apply to you.

To open a dispute:
1.Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click on the transaction and use the resolve a problem option at the bottom of that details page.

Note:
•Generally buyers must wait at least 7 days from the date of payment to escalate a dispute for an item not received
•Where an item has not been received, please ensure you have given the seller enough time before opening a dispute

Do not close the dispute until you have a refund or your item.
If a seller states that they can't refund until you have closed the dispute don't believe them.
Escalate the dispute to a claim within 20 days (before it times out), if you need Paypal to get involved.

If you lose because the seller provides a fake tracking number then post back here for more advice.
If the item arrives and its not what you ordered / not as described then make sure you change the dispute quickly from non receipt. If the dispute times out before you can change it then contact customer services to open a second dispute for the new reason.

Activate the below link in case you have to return the item at Paypals request (or the correct one for your country as this is the U.S link).

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/returns

If that does not work then if you funded your paypal payment via a card then contact your card issuer and see if they will issue a chargeback.





Advice is voluntary.
Kudos / Solution appreciated.
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bullguard
Contributor
Contributor

The exact same happened to me,such a rigmarole trying to get my money back!!

You would imagine Paypal with all the complaints about this fake company of many different names would have it logged NOT TO BUY but it seems to be a never ending problem for their customers.??

I got my refund from my bank.

 

 

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Kwl53
Contributor
Contributor
I am closing my paypal accounts. I have been scammed twice by fake Chinese companies masquerading as american sold products. I have filed a complaint with the FTC and the BBB. As soon as I receive a response, I am cancelling any paypal account have. I urge you all to do the same.
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