PayPal Suspicious Activity

voteoften on 13/02/2019 - 00:53

Hi, I sent a PayPal credit card payment for really hot concert tickets fior my daughter. They are texting me saying the transaction is suspicious. They want a yes or no did I authorise it. Yes I did but it’s a gumtree transaction. Everything’s suspicious ! The seller has not responded for an hour since we asked why PayPal are asking this. The seller responded to my daughters WTB ad and maybe everyone’s. The only thing I can think of is in the notes in the PayPal transaction, I asked the seller to send the tickets and any responses to my daughters email address. I don’t know if PayPal thinks I am suspicious or this seller. I suspect it is the seller and a scam. They originally want bank transfer but I said no PayPal with credit card fir an extra amount.

I respond to the PayPal texts asking them to call me and they keep asking to respond with 1 if authorised and 2 if not. I’d like to know why they have marked this as suspect. If it’s me then fine. If it’s the seller and it’s just a scam and a learning opportunity

Any insight on PayPal by 10am aedst 13/2 would be appreciated

Thanks

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Comments

  • Ughhh on 13/02/2019 - 01:02
    +4

    There's a few methods to work it out:

    1. Give us your Paypal account info and password, and we'll look it up for you ;)
    2. Call Paypal about the specific transaction first thing in the morning when their phone lines are open.

    If the text is genuine, chances are it's an automated text ie. robot.

  • triviums on 13/02/2019 - 01:04

    I got two of these recently, one from a reputable brand in the USA and another one from a reputable ebay seller located in the USA.

    They probably sent mine because they were for transactions to another country, so maybe they are sending your one because it's a gumtree transaction or something about the sellers account that's making it seem like it's unusual you would be making a transaction with this person.

  • pinchies on 13/02/2019 - 01:57
    +5

    Is it a scam?
    - Platform: Gumtree, a known haven for scammers to operate without much hindrance.
    - Listing: WTB ad, the most common kind of ad responded to by scammers
    - Item: Digital Concert Tickets, which means that you 100% have no paypal protection as it is a digital item.

    Likelyhood you're gettings scammed? I'd say… 93.2%. It sounds like paypal thinks this might be the case too.

    However, presuming Paypal sent those messages legitimately (I can't see any reason even a scammer would want to give you more red flags), then you need to send (1) as you authorised the payments. They're not asking you if you have regrets, they're simply asking you if you sent them, or if your account has been hacked and someone else sent the payments.

    Rule #1 on Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace: Only pay with cash. Doesn't matter if you've been sent a drivers license, a phone number, a selfie, a pinkie promise or its a "good deal"… you're just risking your money without having any recompense. Paypal seller protection may help you in some circumstances, but you need to check the transaction and the item are both eligible for protection.

    Call paypal and explain your concerns. They will explain your options at this point.

    • Ughhh on 13/02/2019 - 02:29

      Rule #1 on Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace: Only pay with cash

      Cash only is a major yes for sellers, not necessarily for buyers.

      • pinchies on 13/02/2019 - 02:42
        +2

        When would a seller ask for (or even accept) paypal over cash when you're picking it up in person?

        • Ughhh on 13/02/2019 - 10:03

          I'm just correcting your quote

          Rule #1 on Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace: Only pay with cash

          Op is the buyer, not seller, so telling op to pay in cash (or even bank dep) isn't the safest way. At least with PayPal credit card, op can charge back- this is for ops POV. Your advice was for Selling, op Is buying…

          • pinchies on 13/02/2019 - 13:45

            @Ughhh: No, I was talking about buying. Scammers will whisper all kinds of sweet nothings into your ear to get you to pay via PayPal without being there in person. It’s exactly what they want you to do to feel safe, even though in most cases the PayPal protection policies do not apply.

            This is coming from someone who is extra cautious, thinks he knows all the rules, looks after the traps, and yet was still scammed.

            Fortunately in my case I was able to track the person down and get the police involved. Turned out the person who claim they were local was actually interstate and have been scamming people like this for months. I was very close to never getting my money back.

            • Ughhh on 13/02/2019 - 14:29
              +1

              @pinchies:

              Rule #1 on Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace: Only pay with cash

              Cash = never seeing your money again if the ticket turns out to be fake (or very low chance after very hard work)
              Paypal/credit card = can file a claim via paypal or bank.

              If you pay via Paypal, backed with credit card, even if Paypal denies Buyer Protection (you quoted Seller Protection…?) you can file a chargeback with your bank.

              There's a reason why everyone does not recommend Paypal for cash on pick up if you're the seller, because buyer can file a claim through Paypal or chargeback.

              I agree cash upon inspection is always the best. But in certain circumstances like digital tickets or gift cards that can be sold again and again, cash may not be the best method.

              This is coming from someone who is extra cautious, thinks he knows all the rules, looks after the traps, and yet was still scammed.

              Me too, except I've never been scammed. Im curious, what payment method did you use when you were scammed?

              • pinchies on 13/02/2019 - 16:26

                @Ughhh:

                Me too, except I've never been scammed. Im curious, what payment method did you use when you were scammed?

                I paid via bank deposit. I had the person's photo (Selfie), their drivers license with address, a photo of the license with the product, their mobile number, and their bank details. They still very nearly got away with it… and I didn't see that money for several months.

                If you pay via Paypal, backed with credit card, even if Paypal denies Buyer Protection (you quoted Seller Protection…?) you can file a chargeback with your bank.

                You're right that chargeback is some protection yes, but if you file one for a paypal purchase expect to have your paypal account locked and be banned from paypal… which is not a win in my books. :(

                I agree cash upon inspection is always the best. But in certain circumstances like digital tickets or gift cards that can be sold again and again, cash may not be the best method.

                Some items are just a big risk to buy second hand. Sometimes, I guess you just have to roll the dice and decide whether the potential savings are justified by the risks.

                • Ughhh on 13/02/2019 - 18:46

                  @pinchies:

                  I paid via bank deposit.

                  No offence, but you paid via the worst method possible as a buyer. It's the number 1 most not recommended way of paying since Gumtree was popular.

                  No offence, but I don't think you were/are as cautious and aware of the consequences as you thought you were.

                  • pinchies on 13/02/2019 - 18:54

                    @Ughhh: Oh, I agree that I made a mistake, and I agree that bank deposit is risky, but I don't think paying with paypal would have had a different result.

                    The advantage of paying via a bank account, is that it has a traceable identity linked to the account, which can be helpful in some circumstances if the police have to get involved. It's a fair bit easier to get a paypal account anonymously.

                    My point comes from what I learned - and what OP seems to be learning too - that in my opinion there is just is no 100% safe way to pay someone on Gumtree or Facebook. Cash on Delivery would be about as close as it gets - and even then, they could post you a bunch of rocks and get away with it.

                    Even paying via bank deposit does actually have some protection, as you are able to dispute/cancel it in some limited circumstances - this is what makes accepting bank deposit also a risky proposition for sellers - even if it has cleared into your account it is not quite 100% safe, if the other seller is willing to make lodge a fraudulent "mistaken internet payment" claim.

                    • Ughhh on 13/02/2019 - 19:15

                      @pinchies: I'll just link this

                      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/329446#comment-5071329

                      I think you're previous experience is good enough proof of how unsafe back deposit it. Nothing is 100% safe, but you can only pick the best out of the worst for the situation.

                      The pros vs cons of payment method for seller and buyer are different.

                      • pinchies on 13/02/2019 - 21:51

                        @Ughhh: Would this be a fair summary? - sorted by risk

                        Seller payment options
                        - 1. Cash: Best option, zero fees, no way for change of mind, paid straight away, very low risk of fake currency
                        - 2. Bank Deposit: zero fees, very low risk of claim
                        - 3. Paypal (with protection): high fees, much higher risk of claim e.g "item not received", or being paid with stolen credit card
                        - 4. Cash on delivery: very high fees, slow time to get paid, risk of buyer rejecting parcel

                        Buyer payment options
                        - 1. Cash - no fees, easy to negotiate, all sellers accept, able to inspect/test item first
                        - 2. Paypal (with protection): high fees, but depending on item, may have some protection in a dispute.
                        - 3. Bank deposit / PayID: no fees, no protection, but more easily traceable in a case of fraud.
                        - 4. Cash on delivery: very high fees, no guarantee to be as described, no protection

                        From what I have experienced, scammers typically will try to seem naive - and I would consider that a red flag. Because of the high risk to seller when accepting paypal, I would actually consider it a red flag if a seller was willing to accept paypal or bank deposit. The more desperate a person is to sell, the more hesitant a buyer should be…

                        … so, in my opinion, Cash, face to face, is still king!

                        • Ughhh on 13/02/2019 - 22:12

                          @pinchies: Yes, except buyer generally does not pay the fees for paypal, unless seller ask for extra. In addition, if PayPal is funded by CC, you have additional protection.

                          … so, in my opinion, Cash, face to face, is still king!

                          I agree. But in a situation like ops, where after paying, the gift card or ticket could be invalid (even though it was valid at time of checking /transaction), you as a buyer would want to pay via a method that allows a second layer of protection ie. PayPal dispute or CC dispute. If you paid via cash, you'll never see it again.

                          The whole protection thing is not a one hat fits all, you need to consider what could happen after the transaction for the type of product you're dealing with.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 13/02/2019 - 08:37
    +2

    "A fool and his money are soon parted" - Thomas Tusser

  • HighAndDry on 13/02/2019 - 11:55

    No, Paypal asking you to verify you authorised the payment just means they think someone may have hacked your account. If you did authorise the payment, then there's nothing suspicious.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 13/02/2019 - 12:52

      …verify they authorised the payment because there is no buyer protection. OP loses their money, tries to lodge a claim, Paypal refer them to the T&Cs and the fact they called him to verify.

      • HighAndDry on 13/02/2019 - 13:33
        +1

        No, the call is just to check that it was OP who actually authorised the transaction and that he wasn't hacked. It's not a "Are you sure you want to proceed" check. It's a "Did you actually authorise the payment" check. OP has to say yes, unless he lies.

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