Paypal cracking down on "gift" payments received

piecesofme · July 22, 2010 3:05PM

Anyone else get an email from them threatning to suspend your account if you continue to receive payments using the "gift" option?
The email looks like spam, but it was addressed to me and they say that that is usually an indicator of a legit email from them.
Just asking...

mrpotatoheadd · July 22, 2010 3:10PM

Someone else started a thread about this the other day. You could probably do a search to find it.

Bochiman · July 22, 2010 3:19PM

Not spam as another member had it, as mentioned in the post below yours.
They are cracking down on people abusing the system.

RedHerring · July 22, 2010 3:49PM

I wonder if you use "Payment Owed" things are okay? It's under Personal with Gift and charges no fee???

piecesofme · July 22, 2010 3:59PM

<<Not spam as another member had it, as mentioned in the post below yours.
They are cracking down on people abusing the system.>>

LOL, you think they would learn how to write & format a better email if they're going to send out a threatning message like that. If accepting maybe 2-3 "gifts" a month is abusing, I guess i'm guilty. Talk about GREED! It's not like they dont make enough from eBay part of their model being that payments must go thru Paypal on the eBay site. It's just pure greed on their part.

jessewvu · July 22, 2010 9:17PM

I tried to send a gift paypal payment and it was going to charge me the fee, am I missing something?

BAJJERFAN · July 22, 2010 10:03PM

<< I tried to send a gift paypal payment and it was going to charge me the fee, am I missing something? >>

Were you going to use a CC?

jdimmick · July 22, 2010 10:12PM

Most likely the person you were sending too, was registered as a business

MICHAELDIXON · July 25, 2010 11:26AM

I have refused to send Paypal gift several times. Whenever you are selling something, it is fraud no matter how you look at it. If you ship through Paypal, it is easy for them to track all the people who try to circumvent the system. Talk about GREED! It's not like they dont make enough from eBay part of their model being that payments must go thru Paypal on the eBay site. It's just pure greed on their part. Regardless of how you feel, it isn't right. Just like theft from stores, somebody has to pay for those who abuse the system.

PCcoins · July 25, 2010 11:57AM

How many "gifts" have you given/received before the threatening email?

It's kind of ironic though, Stop sending "gifts" or we will suspend your account and not make any money from you anymore!

piecesofme · July 25, 2010 1:02PM

Fraud is a pretty strong word for something they ALLOW to happen. If they dont want the headache of having to police it, then why even offer the service?

btw, I have been emailing with PP and they specifically told me who it was that reported me. How funny that a person that I did a transaction with here on the BST board would be the one that reported me. I have the emails and they specifically have said who it was by asking me what was that transaction for with that person. Makes me wonder if the person has some kind of ties with ebay/Paypal and is purposely doing transactions here to report people so the activity will come to a halt on this site. Paranoid? maybe, but maybe not. Just a thought.

I did 3 transactions using the gift option and that set off a red flag for them to send me an email threatening me that my account would be suspended if I continued to do it, when they handle hundreds of thousands of transactions monthly??? I dont think so. I should out the person who reported me, but I have enough troubles.

to be continued...

Bochiman · July 25, 2010 1:14PM

<< Fraud is a pretty strong word for something they ALLOW to happen. If they dont want the headache of having to police it, then why even offer the service?

btw, I have been emailing with PP and they specifically told me who it was that reported me. How funny that a person that I did a transaction with here on the BST board would be the one that reported me. I have the emails and they specifically have said who it was by asking me what was that transaction for with that person. Makes me wonder if the person has some kind of ties with ebay/Paypal and is purposely doing transactions here to report people so the activity will come to a halt on this site. Paranoid? maybe, but maybe not. Just a thought.

I did 3 transactions using the gift option and that set off a red flag for them to send me an email threatening me that my account would be suspended if I continued to do it, when they handle hundreds of thousands of transactions monthly??? I dont think so. I should out the person who reported me, but I have enough troubles.

to be continued... >>

So, you state that paypal told you who reported you, but then you state that they asked you about a transaction with that person.....
Almost confusing.

Did they say "XXXXXX reported you and we see a transaction between the 2 of you" or did they ask you about your latest transaction (or one of the gift ones), and it was with that person, and then mention they had asked that person what it was for, etc?

There's a difference, to me at least, between someone being asked something and being honest, versus someone proactively going to paypal and ratting someone else out.

joebb21 · July 25, 2010 1:15PM

are "gift" options free? or do they charge something like $5 to the receiver

joebb21 · July 25, 2010 1:15PM

are "gift" options free? or do they charge something like $5 to the receiver

Bochiman · July 25, 2010 1:28PM

<< are "gift" options free? or do they charge something like $5 to the receiver >>

They are "free", but they are meant to be exchanges (gifts) of cash. So, if you want to use a CC to send the "gift", someone will pay the fee. Sender can opt to pay it (so, it is amount + fee and the receiver only sees the amount). If the sender uses CC and gift, and doesn't want to pay the fee in addition, then it is like a regular paypal transaction (amount - fee).

BlindedByEgo · July 25, 2010 1:49PM

<< btw, I have been emailing with PP and they specifically told me who it was that reported me. How funny that a person that I did a transaction with here on the BST board would be the one that reported me. I have the emails and they specifically have said who it was by asking me what was that transaction for with that person. Makes me wonder if the person has some kind of ties with ebay/Paypal and is purposely doing transactions here to report people so the activity will come to a halt on this site. Paranoid? maybe, but maybe not. Just a thought.

>>

Oh, please out the person. I'm getting the popcorn

If you don't want to post the name, at LEAST PM me.

To me, PayPal is a necessary service. I have rather grown to like eChecks, though.

RedHerring · July 25, 2010 2:19PM

Again I say: Use "Payment Owed" under Personal.

It's a no fee service without the guilt of gift!

notwilight · July 25, 2010 2:22PM

<< 

<< are "gift" options free? or do they charge something like $5 to the receiver >>

They are "free", but they are meant to be exchanges (gifts) of cash. So, if you want to use a CC to send the "gift", someone will pay the fee. Sender can opt to pay it (so, it is amount + fee and the receiver only sees the amount). If the sender uses CC and gift, and doesn't want to pay the fee in addition, then it is like a regular paypal transaction (amount - fee). >>

The one time I tried to use the gift option they wanted to charge the sender a fee even though it was funded from the paypal balance. I didn't pursue it, just used a check. --jerry

Peaceman · July 25, 2010 3:02PM

Only used it once thus far.... How many times have you used it?

piecesofme · July 26, 2010 1:06AM

Bochiman,
They asked me what my transaction with XXX was for. Thats my way of fiinding out who "ratted" on me. They specifically said the persons name and wanted to know why I received a gift payment from them.
I guess it's a difference of interpretation. You think im ratting on them...when in reality, ive said no names and my "successful" transactions are NOT one of the people, and I fell I was ratted on by the SENDER of money owed to me. I dont understand why they are quizzing me when I wasnt the sender of funds in the specific transaction they mention. The SENDER gets charged the fee, right? Maybe I'm misunderstanding not having sent payments. Ive never received a fee being the receipient, so I preseume the sender would be accessed the fee, right?

llafoe · July 26, 2010 2:48AM

<< Bochiman,
They asked me what my transaction with XXX was for. Thats my way of fiinding out who "ratted" on me. They specifically said the persons name and wanted to know why I received a gift payment from them.
I guess it's a difference of interpretation. You think im ratting on them...when in reality, ive said no names and my "successful" transactions are NOT one of the people, and I fell I was ratted on by the SENDER of money owed to me. I dont understand why they are quizzing me when I wasnt the sender of funds in the specific transaction they mention. The SENDER gets charged the fee, right? Maybe I'm misunderstanding not having sent payments. Ive never received a fee being the receipient, so I preseume the sender would be accessed the fee, right? >>

How do you/Why do you think that person ratted on you? Maybe they were just fishing with your last "gift" payment?

mumu · July 26, 2010 3:58AM

<< 

<< Bochiman,
They asked me what my transaction with XXX was for. Thats my way of fiinding out who "ratted" on me. They specifically said the persons name and wanted to know why I received a gift payment from them.
I guess it's a difference of interpretation. You think im ratting on them...when in reality, ive said no names and my "successful" transactions are NOT one of the people, and I fell I was ratted on by the SENDER of money owed to me. I dont understand why they are quizzing me when I wasnt the sender of funds in the specific transaction they mention. The SENDER gets charged the fee, right? Maybe I'm misunderstanding not having sent payments. Ive never received a fee being the receipient, so I preseume the sender would be accessed the fee, right? >>

How do you/Why do you think that person ratted on you? Maybe they were just fishing with your last "gift" payment? >>

I agree. I dont see how paypal asking you about this transaction means the other person ratted on you. Paypal noticed too many gifts and asked you about htis one. The other person probably has no clue what is going on with you and PP.

soty27 · July 26, 2010 4:11AM

<< 

<< 

<< Bochiman,
They asked me what my transaction with XXX was for. Thats my way of fiinding out who "ratted" on me. They specifically said the persons name and wanted to know why I received a gift payment from them.
I guess it's a difference of interpretation. You think im ratting on them...when in reality, ive said no names and my "successful" transactions are NOT one of the people, and I fell I was ratted on by the SENDER of money owed to me. I dont understand why they are quizzing me when I wasnt the sender of funds in the specific transaction they mention. The SENDER gets charged the fee, right? Maybe I'm misunderstanding not having sent payments. Ive never received a fee being the receipient, so I preseume the sender would be accessed the fee, right? >>

How do you/Why do you think that person ratted on you? Maybe they were just fishing with your last "gift" payment? >>

I agree. I dont see how paypal asking you about this transaction means the other person ratted on you. Paypal noticed too many gifts and asked you about htis one. The other person probably has no clue what is going on with you and PP. >>

I agree !

I also got one of these emails from paypal a few months ago. They listed some transaction and I got the warning as did several others. The transaction they listed as a gift was actually from my father for my birthday. I can assure you my father never spoke to paypal.

piecesofme · July 26, 2010 4:41AM

Point taken. But tell me why I should not believe it was the person they specifically mentioned. Someone even said, maybe the were fishing. I say, maybe they weren't. Like I said, it's just my interpretation being the one actually involved in THESE emails. Your emails, Im sure, do not read as exactly as mine do from Paypal.

Anyway, the bottom line is I guess you cant use Paypal gift to send or receive money owed for doing a transaction here. But if thats the case, then why do they even offer the option? That's called enabling in my book.

bushmaster8 · July 26, 2010 4:48AM

My adult son lives in my house and knows I sleep with a pillow under my gun. So if he borrows my gun and commits a crime I am not guilty of "enabling".

droopyd · July 26, 2010 4:50AM

If it's a commercial transaction and not an actual "gift," you shouldn't be trying to game their system.

MICHAELDIXON · July 26, 2010 5:50AM

Anyway, the bottom line is I guess you cant use Paypal gift to send or receive money owed for doing a transaction here.

Duh!! If you are purchasing something from somebody, the money isn't a gift. Or... am I missing the obvious here?

I never claimed to be a rocket scientist!

piecesofme · July 26, 2010 5:56AM

First the doubting, now the insults come. Cant undersatnd why people just cant take someone on their word anymore on these message boards and I wonder if conversation would be as impolite if in person. To those who've helped, or actually tried to help, thank you. Those who just want to doubt and take cheapshots, thanks for letting me know who not to deal with. I can take a constructive word of advice, but constant doubting and insults I can do without.
Have a real nice day!

Bochiman · July 26, 2010 6:00AM

The option for gift is because people do use it for that purpose.
I used to use paypal to send money to help my mother and brother.....until they instituted a $500 cap/monthly for personal accounts (I was sending money to help with rent/car payments/etc, that came to over $1000+/mo at times).
After I HAD to upgrade to the business account to do this, I started sending checks and they had to wait an extra few days.

To me, that is why they have the gift option.

I am certainly no saint, but when I recently bought a coin from an ebay seller, but "off" ebay, they dropped the price based on check or paypal gift. I paid via paypal and I paid the fee for the transfer. I felt it was the right thing to do in that case. Seller got 100% of what they asked for and I paid the extra

coinguy1 · July 26, 2010 6:22AM

<< ....Cant undersatnd why people just cant take someone on their word anymore on these message boards .... but constant doubting.... >>

That sounds a bit hypocritical coming from you, considering that you accused the other party to your Paypal transaction of reporting you and having "ratted" on you. Then, after you were provided with good alternative explanations from posters here, which showed that might not have been the case, you still wrote "why I should not believe it was the person they specifically mentioned".

LindeDad · July 26, 2010 7:55AM

I still like it when I sell on eBay, and then buy on the BST from persons I have delt with before. I feel I gave PayPal a three percent fee to run the money threw them. Sure easier than the hassel of transfering to my Credit Union then writing a check or drawing it back out to make a PayPal payment.
BTW I do the "payment owed" and as far as I know none of my sellers have been bugged by PayPal.

BAJJERFAN · July 26, 2010 12:47PM

<< The option for gift is because people do use it for that purpose.
I used to use paypal to send money to help my mother and brother.....until they instituted a $500 cap/monthly for personal accounts (I was sending money to help with rent/car payments/etc, that came to over $1000+/mo at times).
After I HAD to upgrade to the business account to do this, I started sending checks and they had to wait an extra few days.

To me, that is why they have the gift option.

I am certainly no saint, but when I recently bought a coin from an ebay seller, but "off" ebay, they dropped the price based on check or paypal gift. I paid via paypal and I paid the fee for the transfer. I felt it was the right thing to do in that case. Seller got 100% of what they asked for and I paid the extra >>

I think the PayPal gift thingy is a form of reinstatement of the old personal account. Its intent was for granny to give birthday , graduation gifts etc. to their grandkids and stuff like that.

piecesofme · July 27, 2010 9:37AM

<<Again I say: Use "Payment Owed" under Personal.

It's a no fee service without the guilt of gift!>>

I'm afraid not. I put in $1 and your'e correct, there was no fee. But when I put in $400, there's a 3% fee. I wonder at what point do they start charging you the 3% and how many payments they'll allow you to send in 1 day? Maybe if the buyer & seller agree to send/receive the payments over 2-3 days if that'd work and still be all on the up & up?
Anyone know?

3% makes or breaks the deal sometimes. Seems like you gotcha either way.

MsMorrisine · July 27, 2010 10:39AM

the sender designated it as a gift.

they are asking you, as the 2nd party, what is was for. They want a 2nd party to corroborate the gift status or not.

it does not seem to necessarily indicate the gifter ratted you out.

BaseballAbs · July 27, 2010 10:58AM

Is somebody causing problems? Or getting busted for opening their mouth? Seems like it's usually one of us newbies.

Let me add a grin to that!

keepdachange · July 27, 2010 11:17AM

I received the same email from paypal last week so I do not think it was being ratted out. Your talking millions of dollars that they are missing out on due to "gift option".

MICHAELDIXON · July 27, 2010 11:50AM

buyer & seller agree to send/receive the payments over 2-3 days if that'd work and still be all on the up & up?

HELLO!!! How can it be on the "up & up?" if it is being used for purchases and not for what Paypal has intended it for?

piecesofme · July 27, 2010 1:55PM

LMAO! Amazing how judgemental people can be not being the one involved. Oh well, thanks anyway.

soty27 · July 27, 2010 2:13PM

<< LMAO! Amazing how judgemental people can be not being the one involved. Oh well, thanks anyway. >>

There is another great little payment method via paypal, its called an E-check. I can sell someone a coin for 5k, if they pay with an e check its a flat 5 dollar fee. Yes the e check takes a bit longer but it is within the paypal policy and you would not be breaking the rules. The paypal gift option is simply just that, for a gift to someone (birthday, help with bills and so on) If you are using the paypal gift option to pay for items you purchased or to have others pay you that way for items they have purchased then you are breaking the paypal rules. It makes no difference if you think its stupid or if I think its stupid or if the entire world thinks its stupid. Its paypals service and if you choose to use the service you must follow the rules. I think ebay fees and paypal fees are out of control, I have had ebay fees at the end of the month for several thousand dollars and on top of that paypal fees, it sucks but bottom line is that its there buisness and thats what they charge. Show me someone else that can show my coins to that many people and allow that many people to purchase my coins 24hrs a day 7 days a week 365 days a year and I would be happy to use them. You broke the rules, got yelled at by paypal, maybe someone told on you it really makes no difference due to the fact yo ubroke the rules

Bochiman · July 27, 2010 2:14PM

<< LMAO! Amazing how judgemental people can be not being the one involved. Oh well, thanks anyway. >>

Kind of like if you were to post how you just shoplifted something in your hometown, in a store no one here knows or frequents.
You could bet that most (all) wouldn't approve of that action even though they were not involved

66Tbird · July 27, 2010 2:21PM

buyer & seller agree to send/receive the payments over 2-3 days if that'd work and still be all on the up & up?

I think that's called 'structuring'. They have a word for everything

piecesofme · July 28, 2010 3:53AM

finally a voice of reason. Thank you soty27 for helping me to see this from a different perspective and to do it in a very professional manner. Thank you soty27. Most others just pick apart, but you offered an alternative and thats what I was looking for.

bushmaster8 · July 28, 2010 5:40AM

Bochiman is my grandaddy....

Paypal cracking down on "gift" payments received

Comments

Leave a Comment

Paypal cracking down on &quot;gift&quot; payments received

Comments

Leave a Comment

Paypal cracking down on "gift" payments received