How can someone make a payment when they don’t have my details?

[Bassetmum]

I’ve had two payments from someone not known to me. How have they made these payments without having my details? They have now sent a payment request to me, which I have no problem refunding but I’m just suspicious about how this has happened. Any advice?

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Bassetmum 

If they sent to an email address and accidentally made a spelling error and that incorrect email address belonged to you and you also had it linked to a paypal account then it would go to you.

BE VERY CAREFUL its not a SCAM.

DO NOT send the funds back via a money request, if you do then they can receive your funds and then open a dispute for the first payment, as you did not use the REFUND option then you may lose the dispute and end up paying them TWICE.

Check if you were charged a fee by clicking on the transaction in your paypal account, if you were then that fee is not returned when you issue a refund. So tell the sender you will part refund minus the fee as it was their fault / error. Then use the REFUND option at the bottom of that details page to return the funds to them minus that fee.