Consumer complaint received 2022-01-04
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc
State: NJ
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
XX/XX/XXXX I listed a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX for sale for {$1100.00} on XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX a XXXX member initiated conversation to purchase said graphics card. Log available upon request. 

XX/XX/XXXX the buyer initiated a transaction and sent me the full payment with instructions to meet at the local Police Department ( XXXX PD ). 

XX/XX/XXXX payment was received fully and was in my account. I transferred the funds to my bank account before leaving to the agreed meeting place. 

XX/XX/XXXX the buyer met me at the assigned internet sales parking lot where the driver and I are visible in a video recording exchanging the item. 

XX/XX/XXXX After returning home I noticed that I had a negative paypal balance. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted the buyer to see what is going on. He picked up the phone as well as answered my messages at this point and stated that he is sorting things out with Paypal and not to worry. After some time I felt that this was going to be a scam. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted Paypal as well as the XXXX PD to inform them about this scam and reported it via the XXXX PD and obtained a case number and report. 

XX/XX/XXXX Paypal stated that they have a claim open against me ( XXXX XXXX that it was a fraudulent transfer and they have to investigate. I provided all the evidence that I have gathered. 

XX/XX/XXXX Paypal ruled in my favor ( XXXX XXXX and I was glad and let the responsible police officer know that the case was resolved in my favor. 

XX/XX/XXXX I checked my account due to an email received that my balance again was in negative standing. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted Paypal and they stated that they have opened another case ( XXXX ) as per the financial institutions request. Paypal told me not to worry, that they have already ruled in my favor and have all the evidence they need. This is a formality and it is protected as well with Seller Protection even though the person used Friends and Family feature for the Paypal payment. 
I asked them if the Paypal agent was sure and sure enough I see the same in the Resolution Center in Paypal ( screenshot present and available upon request ). 

XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX I contacted Paypal to see about the status. They finally informed me that this could take months, but again to not worry and not to use my paypal account since the negative balance will take any money that is coming in. 
I thanked them and waited patiently. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted Paypal about a status update and the Paypal agent still stated it was under investigation and they could not do anything to speed this along. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted Paypal again to see the status and yet again was told that it will take time. I thanked and hung up. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received an email stating that the Financial Institution ruled for the buyer that they do not have to pay. Paypal adhered to this and left me with a negative balance. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted Paypal, the Paypal agent told me that there is nothing they can do. I asked for a supervisor which I received after 30 min wait who told me he will look into this and call me back. The Supervisor never called back. 

XX/XX/XXXX I Contacted Paypal again ( several times, I kept being hung up on ), and did get a supervisor to answer. Also here I was told that they will have to look into this matter and will call me back. No call back so far. 

XX/XX/XXXX I contacted Paypal again and spoke to a Supervisor after holding me 2.5 hours ( I understand its XX/XX/XXXX... ) the supervisor told me to go to small claims court. 

XX/XX/XXXX After some research I found a website were people like me help each other and what the next steps are CFPB then XXXX  then small claims. 

Here we are now.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation