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Thu Oct 8 2020 22:52:53

PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

By: Ina Steiner

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There are reports from many sellers on multiple sites that PayPal has suddenly limited their accounts, demanding from them a photo ID and purchase receipts from suppliers - even for buyers who don't sell online. 

Down Detector showed a spike in reports this evening, with one person stating the following:

"Cannot print a shipping label either via PayPal or eBay. PayPal wants a photo ID and copies of invoices for the merchandise I sell, and states my account access has been limited until this information is furnished. WHAT? Never have seen this in 20 years, and am having no trouble with my other accounts. HAVE THEY BEEN HACKED???"

A thread on the eBay discussion boards titled, "WARNING: Paypal mass email blocking thousands of accounts!" resulted in numerous people reporting they encountered the same problem.  

The original poster wrote the following:

Tens of threads on the PayPal forums today (Oct 8 2020), with PayPal sending out warning emails to thousands with "Account Limitations" aka "We need some information from you". Demanding its done before Nov 22 2020. 

The email links to a PayPal "Resolutions page, asking for FOUR pieces of info: 

1. Upload a photo ID
2. Provide information on account activity (often not made clear WHAT?)
3. Provide proof of fulfilment (even for users who DON'T SELL anything!)
4. Provide purchase receipt from your supplier (even for users who DON'T SELL anything!)


Does anyone have any idea what this utter waste of time screw-up is about? 

Following that link to the PayPal forums, we found several threads including one titled, "Account suddenly limited," where a PayPal user reported:

My account suddenly became limited. I only use it to buy items for myself. PayPal wants a photo ID and purchase receipt for my supplier. What supplier? I don't sell anything.

We sent an inquiry to PayPal this evening.

Update 10/9/2020: A PayPal spokesperson responded Thursday night: "We are aware of this technical issue impacting some customers, and PayPal’s technical team is quickly responding. The issue will be resolved soon. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our customers." Shortly afterwards, she said the technical issue had been resolved.

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Readers Comments

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Fri Oct 9 06:27:16 2020

Uuuhhhh,, YA !
WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ? ! ? !
NEVER EVER USE PAYPAL ! ! ! !

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

This user has validated their user name. by: CanBrit

Fri Oct 9 10:52:25 2020

Did they hire some of eBays techs????

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

This user has validated their user name. by: CanBrit

Fri Oct 9 10:52:46 2020

Or maybe they still have them. Hahahahahaha

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Fri Oct 9 12:59:12 2020

AND : This is PROOF PayPal is Definitely NOT a bank.
Real Banks NEVER NEVER EVER have "glitches".  EVER.

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

by: fashionista This user has validated their user name.

Sat Oct 10 13:54:27 2020

@the end, it's still 1000 times better than managed payments.   I've had PP forever,  and can count on one hand the glitches, I'm on MP since July and have had over 10 glitches, haven't received any payouts in less than 4 days....
will take PP over MP any day......

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

This user has validated their user name. by: The End

Sat Oct 10 14:31:16 2020

Dear fashionista;
You have not experienced STRIPE Payments.
The sooner Ebay executes STRIPE Payments, the happier we'll all be.
"Managed Payments" is just a way for strangers to get your information.
And an excuse to hold your dough.
With STRIPE Payments, you would go to your selling dashboard, choose "Connect to Stripe Payments", enter NON CRITICAL information and VOILA !
We're all set to get prosperous   :o)

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

by: railady This user has validated their user name.

Sun Oct 11 12:10:32 2020

Nobody on eBay will probably ever get to experience STRIPE payments. There is nothing for eBay to gain by offering it ......  

Perminate Link for PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers   PayPal Verification Glitch Hits Buyers and Sellers

by: railady This user has validated their user name.

Sun Oct 11 12:35:00 2020

@fashionista - I have the same experience as you, using PP ''forever,'' and only ONE ''glitch'' but it really wasn't because I was caught up with an item sold to someone whose account apparently had been hacked. PP found in my favor and was right there through the entire experience. YEARS ago and nothing except HELP ever since.

The latest was last year when eBay seller tried to cheat me out of $25 postage I paid to return an item (instead of going through eBay!!! and causing him incredible grief).  PP was right there with suggestions (wait until the CHECK he sent you -- for the original price but NOT the return postage I paid --  clears, so he can't put a stop payment on it)

This was an item he agreed I could return for a full refund (he even had a new buyer waiting, he said). I had evidence the listing was misrepresented. He sent me a check for my full original purchase price including shipping, BUT refused to reimburse me the $25 return shipping I paid out of pocket (instead of going through eBay which would have dinged him more), meaning he would make $25 PROFIT on return of a misrepresented item. I used the contact information on his check and called his bank to make sure the check cleared, as PP suggested, before filing a PP claim against him, and PP was there every step of the way. They awarded me $25 out of his account.

But that said -- I have never used PP for anything (like shipping / postage) other than a bank/payment function.  

Saddest, I could not post Feedback on eBay. Once a returned item transaction is finished, there is no opportunity to post feedback -- of ANY kind.  



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