PPC Submitter : Thursday, March 1, 2012, 14:21

Paypal called suggesting there was suspicious activity on my account because of withdrawals

I run an online furniture business. Paypal was our preferred method of payment on eBay, as well as our website. Paypal called me one day and suggested that there was suspicious activity on my account because of withdrawals. The phone call was weird, they didn’t verify their identity and I had a feeling someone was phishing for information. The call made me uncomfortable. I had only withdrawn money maybe 3 times in the previous weeks. Which is legal, normal, and necessary to run a business.

The next day, my account was limited completely, so that I could only make refunds to customers. I was told i needed to submit invoices, bank statements, tracking information, business verification, among other requested documents. I did all of this and sent it immediately. The links on the website were broken so I had to fax it all in. No one attached it to my account until I called and asked about my status. Had I not called, I’d still be in limbo. I did all of that for nothing.

I had over $9,000 in my Paypal account. After hours and hours, day after day of phone time with Paypal, I got nowhere. My “Case manager” was told about my calls, my case was “escalated”, and I left numerous messages. No one called me back. EVER. It has been since January 10, 2012 that my account was limited. I was told there was no manager for weeks. Then I was told managers do not take incoming calls. Then I was told one would call me- that didn’t happen. I finally spoke to a manager and they said my account will not be reinstated and they are holding my money for 6 months. The only reason I got transferred to a manager was because it had been a month of me calling and someone saw that no one returned a call to me.

This has caused me to go out of business and and be late on payments to manufacturers and other expenses/bills. I also am unable to pay myself and employees. I had two debit cards with Paypal and was using it as a “bank”. I had auto-drafts coming from Paypal and manufacturers charged me out of that account. This is encouraged by Paypal. What a mistake! I should have transferred every dime to my personal bank account.

February 13, my eBay account was randomly shut down. They closed all of my listings (over 800). I had 155 positive feedback. No negative feedback. I was a Power Seller and Top Rated Seller. I have never had a chargeback or issue with anyone on eBay or Paypal.

It is hard enough to start a small business and make enough money to get by. Paypal is taking advantage of small businesses. Letting them get up and running, and then out of nowhere, holding their funds. Paypal makes money on what is in your account. This is criminal and obviously a huge part of their business model.

Submitted By:: Sherrie Dean

Location-: Harrisburg

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