Consumer complaint received 2019-09-28
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc
State: IL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt is not yours

Complaint:
This complaint stems from a fraud/hacked account case with PayPal. On XX/XX/2019, I received an email written in XXXX from Paypal confirming my request to transfer {$1000.00} from my bank account to my PayPal account. As I did not do this, I immediately contacted PayPal to cite the fraudulent transfer ; the email I was directed to contact for potential fraud cases was XXXX '. After contacting them, I was ensured a case was opened to look into my fraud request. A couple days later I saw {$1000.00} was withdrawn from my bank account. Paypal then refunded the {$1000.00} and froze my account and I thought the episode was over. 

A few weeks later I started getting emails from Paypal requesting I pay {$1000.00} because my PayPal account had a - {$1000.00} balance. When they finally called, I explained that a fraud case had been opened ( I provided the case number ) because {$1000.00} had been taken from my bank account but that it appeared to have been resolved and PayPal said ok. 

About 2 months later, starting in late XXXX/early XXXX, I started getting calls from unlisted numbers. A voicemail was left from someone saying they represented XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and they were calling to collect an {$1000.00} debt I owed to PayPal. After reading about debt scams, I waited until I received a letter in the mail to confirm this was a legitimate company. I finally received a letter on XX/XX/XXXX asking I pay a debt for PayPal. XXXX called again and this time I informed them that I owed no debt and explained the fraud case I had with PayPal. I let them know I was filing a complaint with the FTC and they asked me for all of the proof of my fraud case. As I do not trust this company, I said no and I was giving it all directly to the FTC. 

Ultimately, I am not sure who exactly is at fault between XXXX and PayPal, but due to the months of harassment over {$1000.00} I do not owe because my PayPal account was hacked, I am filing a complaint. I have screenshots of all my email correspondence with PayPal as well as my bank statement showing the money withdrawn from my bank account and being refunded. I also have a timeline of events : XX/XX/XXXX - unauthorized transfer request, complaint filed. 
XX/XX/XXXX - case opened, {$1000.00} withdrawn from personal bank account into PayPal account. 
XX/XX/XXXX - Paypal refunds {$1000.00}. 
XXXX XXXX - password to PayPal account changed, account frozen. 
XX/XX/XXXX - negative PayPal balance reported. 
XX/XX/XXXX - negativePayPal balance reported, call with PayPal to resolve issue. 
XX/XX/XXXX - negative PayPal balance reported. XXXX XXXX - Calls from XXXX started, requesting debt of {$1000.00}. 
XX/XX/XXXX - letter received from XXXX requesting {$1000.00}. 
Today - filing complaint. 

As I never authorized any transfer of funds and had an account compromised, I feel my time continues to be wasted by requesting a debt I never owed. I would like the CFPB to inform XXXX to stop harassing me about this debt. I am happy to provide any evidence necessary to the CFPB to back up my account or speak on the phone. Thank you.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief