posted on November 14, 2001 04:38:13 PM new
I was on the search for purchasing a PlayStation 2 from someone on eBay and happened across a user who was selling one, but mentioned in the auction information that he had a "going out of business sale" and he had to sell everything, so to contact him via email to purchase something. I contacted him and agreed to spend $230 for a new PlayStation 2 shipped to my door. I sent him the money via PayPal and never got my PlayStation 2. I sent him an email and he told me that PayPal had disputed all the money he received for orders and that PayPal would be issuing refunds to everyone. I contacted PayPal myself to investigate his claims, and PayPal concluded that he was at fault and I deserve a refund but couldn't give me one because his account balance is $0. Over the phone PayPal claims that he got the money, but they can't tell me if he really did. Only that his account received the money but not what happened to that money in the end. But he continues to swear up and down that he never got my money and I'll be receiving a refund. I don't know who to beleive after reading stories here and elsewhere of PayPal taking the entire contents of someone's account and basically making the money disappear when they freeze the account.
I know other people are disputing charges with him, and I'm trying to track these people down to figure out what is happening with their claims. The seller even pasted me a copy of a complaint he got where he is getting money back, but he doesn't understand that was not for my complant but another user's complaint. I am wondering what people think my best course of action would be to resolve this issue, for I would really like my money back. I was recommended to contact the FBI's Cyber Fraud Complaint Center or my local authorities.
Thanks For Any Help You Can Provide,
Patrick McCarron
[email protected]
posted on November 14, 2001 05:04:57 PM new
some paypal members have more than one accounts with paypal and they move money from account to account before they get caught.
lets say he received your money in his account 1 and transfer to account 2,then account 2 buys from account 3 which has a debit card and spend some of your money buying gas,grocery etc.
now your money is gone ,gone to mobil gas station,kroger supermarket etc all the legimate businesses which accept paypal mc debit cards.\
which brings back to the great venue provider,EBAY,which should clean house and kick out the crooks.
posted on November 14, 2001 05:13:16 PM new
there seems to be more fraud in certain categories-electronic is defintely number one candiate,then comes arts and jewelry.all higher ticket items easily resold or turned into cash.
the problem with buying from individual in cyberspace is that there is really no way you can find out if the seller has physicl inventory.
posted on November 16, 2001 12:37:54 PM new
Yea anything could have happened and since PayPal has their privacy rules they cannot tell me what he did with my money. He continues to claim a refund will be issued to me via PayPal and they are just holding out on it, but I have no way to verify this claim. PayPal tells me to press charges and turn him over to authorities and he tells me that he doesn't have my money and that PayPal does. I can't figure out the truth, and don't want to invest in expensive legal matters when he is telling the truth.
posted on November 16, 2001 02:09:48 PM new
grab a copy of fraud report at the usps office ,no fee involved.
let the seller explains to usps fraud investigation team why he is not sending your merchandise.
this is mail fraud,you paid and he no ship
posted on November 28, 2001 11:49:22 PM new
USPS Postal Inspector can only assist if the funds were sent via USPS or if the goods were shipped via USPS. Ask your local postmaster, they will confirm this fact.
