I received money I wasn't expecting

[MagikIsAMush]

So 3 weeks ago, I received 2 payments from the same person totaling about $1300 USD. I wasn't expecting any money and I do not know this person. Thinking it was a scam, I haven't tried to contact that person. I haven't received any messages from that person either. The money was in a "Pending" state, but just got cleared today. The money is now in my PayPal account. Is there anything else I should do from now? I don't not want any problems so I'm not planning on using money that isn't mine. That said, I have automated payments taken each month from my PayPal account so this money will probably be used without me wanting it.

[kernowlass]

@MagikIsAMush 

Firstly click on it to see if you were charged a fee, that will tell you if it was sent using friends/family OR goods/services.

If it was sent using goods/services and you were charged a fee then that fee is NOT returned when you refund the full amount.

So contact that email address again and state you are going to refund BUT as the payment was an error on their side you will do a part refund minus the fee element so you are not out of pocket.

HOWEVER if it was sent using the friends/family option then you should not be charged a fee and can successfully refund the whole amount.

To refund click on the transaction and using the refund option bottom of that details page issue a part or full refund dependent on how it was sent?

Or you can contact customer services for more advice. 

[MagikIsAMush]

Thanks for the reply. I checked and PayPal did take a $20-$30 fee for both transactions. I would like to make sure this is not a scam and that if I refund, they wouldn't be able to still charge back and get their money back a second time from my own money.

[kernowlass]

@MagikIsAMush 

''If'' you use the refund option for each transaction then the only amount of money they can get if they open a dispute is the fee element that you didn't refund. However if you contact customer services when they open a dispute and explain they may well find in your favour.

[MagikIsAMush]

I ended up calling customer support this morning. The lady waived the fees and then I was able to refund the full amounts for both transactions.