Consumer complaint received 2025-06-13 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year> a now former client/trusted friend of mine performed what is known as an overpayment scam on me, via PayPal. The amount was for {$10000.00} U.S. dollars. This friend texted me immediately stating that they had accidentally sent that amount- but initially had only meant to send me {$500.00} U.S. dollars to help me during a stressful time in my life. The money was sent to me, and returned to her via PayPal within just a few moments, less than 5 id say- the transaction never left PayPals platform. It was boomeranged-if you will- back to her.

A few days had gone by- thinking nothing of it because again- this person had been a client and friend for more than 10 years. Her daughter calls me uncle we were quite acquainted.

A few days had gone by and when I went to look at my PayPal account- it was negative {$10000.00} U.S. dollars- the amount she had sent me. Apparently she had filed a chargeback? With XXXX XXXX ( whom I found out later via PayPal ) since that is the financial institution she was using to make the initial transaction to me via PayPal. Of course, I texted her immediately- I called her I tried every way possible to get ahold of her and demand she fix this- to no availed. Several days had gone by- I had filed my own dispute with PayPal- even went to my local XXXX who told me that until that amount posts to my XXXX account- they really couldnt do anything.

Some more time had gone by- given that she was blocked on everything- she sent the money BACK on PayPal- attaching a message stating it wasnt a scam and shes not a scammer- at that point, my account was back to normal Mostly, except for the {$15.00} service charge PayPal charges. But thats much better than {$10000.00} so I let it be, and blocked her. Good riddens.

I am a hairstylist so i use PayPal often for clients to pay for services- this month- now XXXX a client had paid me for a service and when I went to deposit that money into my bank account to account towards my rent- I saw that not only was it gone, i was now negative AGAIN {$9900.00}, because she had filed ANOTHER chargeback with American Express- rendering- once again- my PayPal account back in the negative.

Its been well over a month now- Im still negative. Nothing has been solved- Ive contacted her husband who was very rude to me- accused me of conspiring with his soon to be ex wife to steal his money this is entirely untrue, as I provided him with lengthy photo evidence, compiled years of texts and messages- as well as two other mutual friends of ours- who she did THE SAME THING TO. One of these friends- is still {$5000.00} negative with PayPal and had her account banned- this was over a year ago. 


At this point I have done all that I possibly can but have been left feeling disturbingly hopeless and helpless. I have nothing left at this point, this has caused me irreversible mental and emotional health. Not to mention being XXXX XXXX XXXX and this having caused me developing the XXXX 


Im not sure what more i can do- but a friend sent me this link and suggested I try here- so Im putting my faith here and just praying- someone can please- please help me, and the other friends of mine that have fallen victim to this complete con artist.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief