Sold PS3 on eBay to 0 feedback buyer. I sent it, Now Paypal issuing Chargeback on Funds?

Question

Just as it says on the tin, my buyer gave me details stating he'd need the item for a birthday present for one of the kids. His address was marked as the "Children's Hospice" in London. All other details pointed to this actually being the legitimate address, although I was incredibly wary.

However, the funds went straight into my paypal account, and so days later, I posted the item out via recorded Parcelforce.

But, the person, yesterday, issued a chargeback on the funds. Checking the Parcelforce status, it arrived with the person on Saturday.

Oddly however, I'd emailed him to ask why on earth he'd done this.

He then stated "My Paypal Account was hacked. Give me your bank details and I'll send you some money." This is obviously a fraudulent proposition that had alarm bells RINGING!

So I telephoned Paypal, told them about this email, who noted it was very strange. I also sent tracking numbers and postage/delivery proof codes. However he did mention this case can go either way; it still has a few days to be resolved in the resolution centre.

I then emailed the guy to say, "I am not someone to mess with. Replace the funds, or I will contact the police. I assure you, I have contacted Paypal, I can easily contact the cops, if this is a game you want to play, you will lose."

I've heard nothing back.

What now? I'm sitting with negative £270 in Paypal account now. If I shut down my paypal account and start all over again (removing all bank details etc) I look guilty. But if I leave it and leave it, Paypal will suspend my account indefinitely for the negative balance.

What to do?!?!?!

Answer 1

Are u sure you checked the account and you saw the amount sent by the guy? if yes, he have no right and cannot have access to your account moreover its a bank. . or u can also wait for the resolution center, paypal cannot close your account cus its still under investigation. or you can also contact the cops, the problem is that you may implicate other innocent souls because your not sure if the address he used was his own or otherwise. settle down and thick. be care full next time.

don't forget one accounting principle (smartness)

Answer 2

Currently PayPal offers seller protection for some transactions.  Check this list to see if you qualify:

https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr...

No matter which way this goes, I recommend reporting the buyer to the police.  They can be tracked through financial information they provided to PayPal.

Answer 3

Paypal's not going to suspend your account while they're still investigating the situation. Wait until they have a resolution. Since you have proof that the item was delivered, it seems like the decision would go in your favor.

If you try to close your account now, it's going to look as if you believe you are GUILTY. Why would you want to give that impression?

Answer 4

I'm sorry this happened to you and unless you have online, verifiable, signed proof they received it AND were covered by the SPP you will lose the money and PayPal will come after you to collect the funds.  They still have about $700 they took from me several months even though I was covered by the Expanded SPP and followed all their rules.  They won't let me know what is going on to protect the privacy of everyone involved.

As a last recourse you need to report this person so other sellers won't be scammed by them.  eBay won't let you leave negative feedback or mention this incident in the person's feedback (even positive).  There is a site that I use called eBuyer Feedback that you can still use to leave positive, negative, and neutral feedback.  Other sellers do regularly use the site and it might save someone else from going through the same thing.