This post is a suggestion for PayPal to consider adding additional information to their Payment Request Pending screen. I was scammed by what I call a Craigslist/PayPal scam. I listed a cellphone for sale on Craigslist. After a few back and forth messages with a potential buyer, he suggested I use PayPal as a secure way to do the transaction. I had a PayPal account but had never used it to request funds from a buyer. Per instructions from the buyer, I initiated a Request for Money in my PayPal account using an email address he provided. After a few hours, I received an email from “PayPal Invoice Services”. The email read: “You have received a payment of $650.00 USD from David xxxxx Estimated funds availability This payment is currently PENDING as it awaits shipment verification, so you're to get the item(s) shipped then email us the tracking details for verification and the money will reflect in your account as soon as the shipment has been verified.” Before sending the package, I checked the “Activity” in my PayPal account, I saw the below information: When I saw "+650.00" in green print I was led to believe that PayPal had received the $650 in funds and that it was "Pending" release by PayPal Invoice Services once they received the U.S. Postal Service tracking number from me. Needless to say, after sending the tracking number to "PayPal Invoice Services", the activity screen never changed and I soon realized that PayPal had never received any funds. My suggestions: Instead of "+650.00" in green print, the dollar amount field in the above screen should say "Requested Amount: $650.00". The "Pending" field should say "Request Pending" or "Request Unfulfilled". I welcome correspondence from PayPal if they would like more details regarding this scam. I have documented all of the details of this scam and the red flags that I should have seen that would have tipped me off.
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