Consumer complaint received 2022-11-06
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc
State: MD
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Managing, opening, or closing your mobile wallet account

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I received an unsolicited invoice via PayPal from an individual named XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$210.00}. This was alarming for two reasons : 1. I did not have any previous interactions with this person, and 2. The item description was for the purchase of a " compact pistol '' - here is the full description on the invoice : " Note from XXXX XXXX On XX/XX/XXXX You Purchased a Compact Pistol With PayPal Credit of USD XXXX. XXXX The First Emi Of amount Is deducted From Your Bank Account We have yet to receive payment from you of XXXX. XXXX in respect of our XXXX ID # XXXX which was due for payment on XX/XX/XXXX.. Kindly request you to clear the invoice. We look forward to more productive associations in the future. Please let me know if you have any questions. : XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX '' I immediately contacted PayPal 's customer service to report what was happening, and at no time during this initial phone call was it indicated that this would negatively impact my PayPal account. In fact, it was alluded that what had happened was an illegal phishing scam and that my account was protected. As my checking account ( XXXX ) on file with PayPal as well as the Credit Card attached to said account were not charged, I was content that nothing amiss had occurred. I was instructed as to how to cancel the invoice and assumed this was resolved. 

I attempted to make a small purchase the following day, and could not do-so. I had wrongly assumed this was an issue with the website ( XXXX ) and continued to try purchasing said item. It finally occurred to me something might be amiss on my PayPal account, so I logged in - there was no communication informing me of anything being amiss from PayPal, and I could not find any unusual issues explaining why I was unable to make a payment ( I had a small balance that I should have been able to use as well ). I made numerous calls to customer service, and each representative I spoke with assured me they could not find any issues within my account, nor notations indicating why my account was suddenly unusable. I was constantly assured that " someone would be in touch '', and that never materialized. 

I eventually received a service representative that was willing to inform me that an " account limitation '' had been placed upon my account, however they were unable/unwilling to offer details. This was the first representative that sent a follow-up email when they said they would - I received that email on XX/XX/XXXX. I was assured within this email that my account status had been forwarded to their Security and Investigations Team, so my hope for resolution was ignited. I was wrong. 

I began to eliminate my usage of PayPal on various websites - I no longer felt safe with this company due to their lack of transparency and response to my very basic questions. I received my " Billing agreement cancelation '' emails from several platforms on XX/XX/XXXX. 

I attempted to communicate with PayPal on XX/XX/XXXX about the account issue several times via phone and the " message center '' on PayPal 's website. I can not see any of those interactions now, as I believe they delete them within 90 days. I was never sent the promised transcript of any conversations with Customer Service. 

The next time I heard from PayPal regarding my account was on XX/XX/XXXX when they informed me that I was now allowed to withdraw any funds I had in my account. I did this immediately. I also attempted to close my account and was redirected on the website so many times, I gave up. 

I have just recently decided to try and close my account again- it really is time-consuming so I have to wait until there are lulls in my life- and was again, unable to do-so. I am filing this complaint as I do not believe I will get a resolution from PayPal. 

Please help me. I want to be free of PayPal and I believe that PayPal has violated my consumer rights.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation