Ok, the background story will take a minute...
I recently received my PayPal debit card which I though was going to be great to give me virtually instant access to MY money. I was going to use it to purchase inventory from vendors, eBay fees, etc.
Little did I know.
In the past week I made purchases with the card of about $4K without a hitch. Got the cashback so that kinda made up for what I was losing in exchange.
Then I tried to switch my eBay account to my PayPal debit card. I was instantly denied. Now, I know the funds are there but I was kinda rushed when I was doing it so I figured I made a simple mistake and that I would go back to sorting it out later.
Today I tried to make a $900 CAD purchase from one of my vendors and it was denied. Tried it again - denied again. I know the money is there so I pay by another means and rush home to call PayPal.
PayPal customer service advises me that a block was put on the card on the 12th by their external 3rd party security company. Apparently they monitor card activity and had noticed my purchases and decided to throw the switch.
Here is the kicker - nobody bothered to let me know. No phone call - no email - nothing. So I'm walking around with I card that no longer gives me access to MY money.
PayPal customer service tells me to call the security company to ensure that the block is removed and to give them heck for not letting me know that a block was put on in the first place. I call them up and get the block removed but learn something unexpected. PayPal has given them express instructions not to contact customers outside of the USA by phone. They can call any USA customer if their is a problem but they don't want them talking to foreigners.
So I ask the security company rep why didn't they even bother to email me. No can do - PayPal has not given them access to their customer email database. The security rep suggests it is a matter to be taken up with PayPal as they are simply following the instructions they receive from PayPal. I ask if it a block can be put on after every three or four large purchases and I'm advised "probably".
Back on the phone to PayPal and the CS rep is surprised to learn that PayPal has these rules that security cannot contact Canadian customers but confirms that it is true. There is nothing that can be done. He is going to send an email to advise of my frustration - oh, goody!
He then suggests I write a letter to the PayPal Board of Directors to advise them of my displeasure. I would but I'm not sure they would put down their donuts long enough to read my letter when they next meet.
So to summarize...
PayPal can throw the switch on your card access at the drop of a hat but lacks the will to contact their customers to tell them they have done so. They will not telephone internationally and will not make the email address available to their outside security to have their customer advised that access is blocked.
If you live in the USA apparently your poop doesn't stink but if you live in Canada, while your money may be good enough to take, apparently you don't rate even the most basic of service.
Ah yes, PayPal, an eBay company.
Bill
I recently received my PayPal debit card which I though was going to be great to give me virtually instant access to MY money. I was going to use it to purchase inventory from vendors, eBay fees, etc.
Little did I know.
In the past week I made purchases with the card of about $4K without a hitch. Got the cashback so that kinda made up for what I was losing in exchange.
Then I tried to switch my eBay account to my PayPal debit card. I was instantly denied. Now, I know the funds are there but I was kinda rushed when I was doing it so I figured I made a simple mistake and that I would go back to sorting it out later.
Today I tried to make a $900 CAD purchase from one of my vendors and it was denied. Tried it again - denied again. I know the money is there so I pay by another means and rush home to call PayPal.
PayPal customer service advises me that a block was put on the card on the 12th by their external 3rd party security company. Apparently they monitor card activity and had noticed my purchases and decided to throw the switch.
Here is the kicker - nobody bothered to let me know. No phone call - no email - nothing. So I'm walking around with I card that no longer gives me access to MY money.
PayPal customer service tells me to call the security company to ensure that the block is removed and to give them heck for not letting me know that a block was put on in the first place. I call them up and get the block removed but learn something unexpected. PayPal has given them express instructions not to contact customers outside of the USA by phone. They can call any USA customer if their is a problem but they don't want them talking to foreigners.
So I ask the security company rep why didn't they even bother to email me. No can do - PayPal has not given them access to their customer email database. The security rep suggests it is a matter to be taken up with PayPal as they are simply following the instructions they receive from PayPal. I ask if it a block can be put on after every three or four large purchases and I'm advised "probably".
Back on the phone to PayPal and the CS rep is surprised to learn that PayPal has these rules that security cannot contact Canadian customers but confirms that it is true. There is nothing that can be done. He is going to send an email to advise of my frustration - oh, goody!
He then suggests I write a letter to the PayPal Board of Directors to advise them of my displeasure. I would but I'm not sure they would put down their donuts long enough to read my letter when they next meet.
So to summarize...
PayPal can throw the switch on your card access at the drop of a hat but lacks the will to contact their customers to tell them they have done so. They will not telephone internationally and will not make the email address available to their outside security to have their customer advised that access is blocked.
If you live in the USA apparently your poop doesn't stink but if you live in Canada, while your money may be good enough to take, apparently you don't rate even the most basic of service.
Ah yes, PayPal, an eBay company.
Bill
No, they don't Todd. That was the whole point of my post. Sheesh, did you think I was making it up?
Would you like the toll free number for their outside security to verify this? They have clear instructions from PayPal not to call outside of the USA. PayPal has confirmed this as well.
I just spent an hour and twenty minutes on three phone calls trying to get the full story on this. PayPal customer service confirms that there is nothing that they can do to modify these instructions to the third party company who provides their card security. Thats when they gave me the address for their Board of Directors.
For other PS'ers wanting to confirm this you are welcome to email me directly for the toll free telephone numbers for PayPal and their security firm.
Would you like the toll free number for their outside security to verify this? They have clear instructions from PayPal not to call outside of the USA. PayPal has confirmed this as well.
I just spent an hour and twenty minutes on three phone calls trying to get the full story on this. PayPal customer service confirms that there is nothing that they can do to modify these instructions to the third party company who provides their card security. Thats when they gave me the address for their Board of Directors.
For other PS'ers wanting to confirm this you are welcome to email me directly for the toll free telephone numbers for PayPal and their security firm.
Very strange, I remember I was on my way to Florida in the summer and I used my card for gas all the way down, but at some point my card wouldn't work anymore so I called paypal and they gave me the third party #, I called them and they lifted the ban right away...I guess I was just lucky.
Good luck with it and let us know what happened.
Momo
Good luck with it and let us know what happened.
Momo
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