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Paypal Tos?

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GodofCats

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

OK, a little over 3 weeks ago, I decided to purchase some things online through ebay and thus, 99% of the time my only payment option was through paypal, so I created a paypal account as well. I linked a credit card that I purchased through Walgreens (a green dot card to be exact) to my paypal account.

When I read the Paypal Terms of Service, I did not agree to share my bank account information with them under any circumstances. I purchased almost $600 worth of stuff through ebay and some online gaming sites. So this 4th of July, I get an e-mail stating that my Paypal account access is limited. I checked and lo and behold, all $600 worth of charges are "put on hold" to my account, and my account access is limited. I decided that this is OK, Paypal is probably just making sure I actually authorized these charges, since there were so many in such a short span of time. So I call Paypal up, and after being on hold for almost a half hour, I get a representative who was rather rude. I explained the situation, and after a couple minutes of talking, he explains that I just need to take some steps to remove the limitation and the charges will go through.

I go on the paypal website, login and learn that one of the limitation removal steps is to add a bank account to my paypal account. I DO NOT HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT. NOR WILL I EVER SHARE MY ACCOUNT INFORMATION WITH PAYPAL, AS I HAVE NOT AGREED TO DO SO.

So I call paypal up again and after yet another half hour I get yet another rude representative. I explain the situation and ask him why the account was put on limitation and the charges put on hold to which he replies "Could be a number of things. Something waived a flag though." I ask him specifically what, to which he replies "Dunno, but I know online gaming is one of the things that usually waives a flag to warn of fraud" I ask him then if I can remove the limitation without having to submit bank account information, to which he replies "Let me check" He puts me on hold for yet another half hour. By this time I'm rather frustrated with the whole situation. He returns to the phone and explains that no, I can not remove the limitation without submitting bank account information. I say OK, why not? He then explains that it is paypal policy to have the bank account information of the person on the account to be submitted whenever there is a dispute or risk of fraud. I've read the Paypal terms of service agreement twice now, and no where can I find where it states that a bank account is required for service, or to continue service once service has been obtained.

My questions are:

Am I missing something in the terms of service agreement? I've read it twice and can not see where it says that I will be required to submit bank account information. But I am human and am flawed, perhaps someone else could enlighten me as to where it states that I am obligated to submit financial information that is not tied to the purchases already made on the account.

My next question is, what action can I take, if any, against paypal to get the charges through? I also want to avoid any fees from my credit card company.

What should I go about doing next in this matter? I've decided to give Paypal one last call. Perhaps there is a curteous representative willing to talk the matter through with me.

Another question is, why DID they put my account on limitations and put the purchases on temporary hold? I know for a fact that the money was there, there were no reversed charges, no unauthorized charges, no excessive charges, etc. Is it simply because some of the stuff I bought was involved in online gaming?

Last question. What can I do if paypal refuses to put the charges through and makes the money perpetually sit there in cyberspace forever? Could I call the credit card company and have them reverse said charges? If I do so, am I liable for any damages?

Thank you for your time. Any help / comments / constructive critisizm is welcome.
 


racer72

Senior Member
Am I missing something in the terms of service agreement? I've read it twice and can not see where it says that I will be required to submit bank account information. But I am human and am flawed, perhaps someone else could enlighten me as to where it states that I am obligated to submit financial information that is not tied to the purchases already made on the account.
Paypal requires the bank account info only if you want a verified account, this is the only way to have immediate funds transfers. Besides protecting the seller, it offers you a whole lot of protection too. As long as you have an unverified account and purchase items that have high instances of fraud, there is nothing you can do. And you did the perfect scenario for a scammer, opening an account with a prepaid credit card and purchased some questionable items.

My next question is, what action can I take, if any, against paypal to get the charges through? I also want to avoid any fees from my credit card company.
Add a verfied account. I'll let you in on a little secret. Open a savings account at a local bank or credit union just for Paypal.

What should I go about doing next in this matter? I've decided to give Paypal one last call. Perhaps there is a curteous representative willing to talk the matter through with me.
There is nothing you can do. It's their game, play by their rules.

Last question. What can I do if paypal refuses to put the charges through and makes the money perpetually sit there in cyberspace forever? Could I call the credit card company and have them reverse said charges? If I do so, am I liable for any damages?
The charges will eventually go through. Reverse the charges and you will open a whole new can of worms.
 

WuLabsWuTecH

Junior Member
I agree with racer, the best option is to open a free checking/savings account with a local bank and link that account up. Its ok if you have no intention of ever using that account, but at least now paypal has some account its linked to.
 

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