Be Warned... eBay & Paypal Support Fraudulent Activity

What was it then?

Exactly(2)... Looks like a troll has arrived.

@BAF: If you were there and got cheated then you would understand and not be such a troll

Scott: Where do you stand on this topic. As a new member I have followed it from the beginning.

I also just got burned by ebay/paypal. Will let you know if you are still there.

Where has the ending to this saga gone to?

Hi Jerry

Pretty simple where I stand on this subject, I started it

Basically, there has been ZERO support from Paypal or eBay. Both parties deny any responsibility and refuse to communicate at all. Even the State Banking Commission in the State of Nebraska (where Paypal is registered) has not returned several telephone calls, e-mails or the three certified letters that I sent within six months. It looks like Paypal has paid off the right persons in higher places.

As for the losses on my side, I have contracted a Swiss Inkasso company (basically credit check database owners and bill collectors) to take the persons involved to court. Which is in progress.

The total sum which is missing from my account is running almost CHF 4000.-. Not to mention the persons from within Switzerland that have stolen from my as well... Adding up to CHF 6000.- over the last three years. Only one case where the individual is paying me what he owes me via the local government deducting a certain amount from his monthly pay.

So, now I am interested to read what your case is all about. Cards on the table Jerry

Bests

Scott

Scott: Thanks for the reply. I applaud you for your efforts to bring these scam artists to justice.

My situation was as a buyer of an ipod. I paid the seller, they received the funds, and no item was sent. My instincts from the beginning told me I was in trouble on this one. The seller would not return my e-mail messages until I threatened him with legal action. A few days later he said he couldn't send the item and would have to issue me a refund. I knew at this point he was stalling for time. I immediately notified ebay and PayPal that this guy was a thief and time was of the essence to locate him and get my $$ back before he disappeared and took whatever actions he was working on to ensure they could not access any of his accounts. Of course, I have not heard any reply from ebay or PayPal at this point. It has only been 5 days since the transaction, but as I say, I have a bad feeling about the transaction. The guy is illiterate, or maybe 7 years old. His buying history is for small items for a video game boy, and appears to have been done just to get an account established and feedback. (My mistake-I should have been more cautious and have checked his previous transactions) I left a phone number and of course he has not contacted me. The money was deposited to a third party receiver listed as "unverified" by PayPal. The refund could have easily been done right away through Paypal, but has not. My real concern is whether ebay or PayPal has obtained enough accurate information about this guy when his account was established. You would think that there must be a reliable address and bank account information available to trace these scumbags. So, I am early in the process, but I have a bad feeling about the outcome. Any suggestions? Thanks for reading.

I have a quick question about this PayPal eBay stuff. I did regular eBay buying and selling in Australia and I used PayPal for both as well. No troubles. I loved it and I've been looking forward to getting back into here. Why is Switzerland not offered seller protection by PayPal? Is there a reason? My only attempt to use eBay since I've been here was a seller in the UK who refused to ship to Switzerland. Is there something about living here that I've not learned yet? It seems odd.

With regards to Scotts dilemma. I agree with several other members. If you are talking 2,000 you should involve the relevant authorities in the country where the "theft" appears to have taken place. It sounds suspicious. I've never heard of eBay taking money back. I've had money frozen while they "investigate" but it all worked out. Is it possible that the money never was actually received by PayPal and the fraud is the buyers afterall?

Have to run. Very interesting discussion for my first participation......

I'm not an active online trader, but after stumbling upon many eBay Germany related horror stories in IT magazines and a visit to paypalsucks.com, I recommend to use ricardo.ch in Switzerland. Advantages: Address verification by letter before accounts get activated Basic fraud insurance that actually works Market leader in Switzerland Sniping prevention (late bids add a few minutes to the countdown) Disadvantages: Limited to Switzerland Basic German or French understanding required A few friends of mine have traded items for about 1000 Fr. there, so the marketplace has earned their trust.

Update: Was able to get refund of $$ in my recent ebay transaction. Must have put a scare into scam artist. I will check into what could have happened to be more protected in the future. Wish everyone could be so lucky.

Thanks for the advice. I've checked out ricardo.ch. Looks great. Too bad I can't read German or French.... and that most of what I want to buy is overseas! Tamara

CONGRATULATIONS! VERY GOOD NEWS! Thanks for letting us know.

Tamara

Scott

What happened at the end of the story, I really could not stop reading all the threats!

No change. eBay and Paypal are both still fraudulent companies that

offer zero support.

The case is closed, I received ZERO assistance from either or and thus

duly return the favor with voicing my opinion and experience with these

two (so called) fair companies.

I am out, total loss for this sale = CHF 4300.-

Claim it back on taxes? Not unless I have a police report or court

report (according to my accountant), and neither will have anything

to do with it because it happened outside of Switzerland.

Sad but true.

Amazing story

I can not imagine the quantity of people in the same situation.

Is not possible to sue or make a complain formally? is not supporting also in the case of a European buyer?

Maybe as you said you should have wait until see the money in paypal account and immediately move it,but can you give us any advice or procedure for not having a similar situation? maybe is just question of understanding the rules of games.. what do you think?

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I have tried with certified letters (plural) to the banking commission of

Nebraska, where Paypal is registered. No answer, no recognition of

the situation, nothing. We know who is paying who off here.

The lack of support stemmed from the fact that I was not residing in

the USofA. That was the first big hammer that hit.

Yes, hindsight is 20/20. I still accept payment via Paypal. But only

with prior agreement of both buyer and seller. Understanding the

rules? How about if Paypal (and eBay for that matter) would clearly

display exactly who is covered by their "support" and who isnt.

They told me, in the first 3-4 e-mails that they would support me and

return the funds if I can prove fraudulent activity... Then they proved it

themselves and admitted to it. Then backed out - claiming that I did

not qualify for support. BS.

Oh, calm down...

I suggest to all, avoid Paypal and eBay when and where possible.

Company names intentionally used here.

Scott, It is very difficult to offer help when you are guarded about the details, but let me please start here....

1. in which country (and state/province etc) is the buyer (to whom the product was delivered)? Do you have a full name, street address, etc of the purchaser and addressee? ("Purchaser" is the person who bid on the item; "addressee" is the person to whom you sent the package.)

2. is your Paypal account opened in CH or elsewhere, and (see the bottom of the website) with which company? Paypal, like many companies, operates through subsidiaries. If you opened your account in CH via the CH website, the first task is to figure out where is the "Paypal Pte Ltd" -- it's "here" (Europe), not in the US.

p.s. you've mentioned several times you contacted Nebraska: why??? Paypal is not a bank (a quick Google search would confirm that).

More on this here from the London Times

Confirmed, thanks!

Who are you jwalker? Paypal in disguise?

The situation is wrapped up, history, a (major) loss.

The package was sent to an older lady, a couple youngsters from her

city asked her if they can have a package delivered to her address,

she agreed. When the package arrived they picked it up, gave the lady

some cash and disappeared. The older lady does not have much

money and taking her to court would not have been worth the efforts.

Don't remember, I think I started it in the states then transfered it to

CH after Paypal business opened up.

I confirmed that they are registered in Nebraska.

Believe me, the CHF 4300.- loss does not include the hours on hours

spent researching and contacting people.

I will share the money 60/40 with anybody that gets that money back

from Paypal for me.

It won't happen, so don't get your hopes up