I made a payment to a recipient and sent to the wrong address.

[imhenry8th]

I made a payment to a "Friend and Family" recipient and sent to the wrong address. I don't know if this person is still active or if the email is still functioning. I did reach out for re-payment but have not heard back. What is my recourse ?

[kernowlass]

@imhenry8th 

If its showing as SENT and not pending/unclaimed then your only option is to reach out to that email address, explain what has happened and request that they refund you, however you can't force them to do so as it was a gift payment. 

[imhenry8th]

Thank you.  I have not heard back after emailing him and wonder if the person is even active anymore.  If not, does the money just sit there in the PayPal account?  If so, I wonder if PayPal can transfer it to the correct account.  It is crazy that I am at the mercy of someone because of an easy mistake in addressing someone with the same name. 

[kernowlass]

@imhenry8th 

If its showing as SENT then it has successfully transferred to the email address you sent it to that is linked to an active paypal account.

If the account was not open/active it would show as unclaimed.

[imhenry8th]

Thanks Kernowlass!  I am still perplexed that PayPal assumes no responsibility when a mistake is made, even if it's in Friends and Family.  One simple mistake has cost me $4000 of my own money that I don't have.  And the recipient gets it with no repercussions! At least PayPal could provide me with a phone number so that I could reach out to this person in another manner.  If I sent him money, then I should have access to this person's contact information, no?  It may be that I have to file a lawsuit, or charges, and have this info subpoenaed.  Not sure the best course. 

[kernowlass]

@imhenry8th 

Due to data protection paypal can't pass on details of another persons account, just as your bank would not be able to if you paid it into another persons bank account.

Unfortunately you sent a 'gift' of money that does not carry buyer protection.

However personally I would seek legal advice and your legal advisor may be able to legally obtain the information of the other persons account details for you.

However you still may have 0 luck as you sent them a 'gift'.

[imhenry8th]

Okay, thanks again.  I am proceeding with a legal recourse, and we'll see if we can subpoena his contact information because, even though it was considered a "gift", he is not legally entitled to it since it was a mistake, and he refuses to return it.  Now it becomes a felony theft.  Thanks again for your advice and counsel. 

[kernowlass]

@imhenry8th 

Good luck.  🙂