This is utter BS... what an awesome way to start the new year. My income depends on PayPal, I am utterly screwed. On January 1st, they randomly sent me an e-mail saying due to a security risk, my card was deactivated and my account was "limited". I'm a content writer, I've been freelancing since 2006. I called them and told them that I sell digital goods and they told me to just fill in what I can and they would take care of it all. I just got an e-mail saying that they denied my appeal, they're going to hold my money for 180 days and that they want part ways with me. What the actual shit? I have no suspicious activity on my account, I don't have a large number of chargebacks, this is literally came out of nowhere... I've heard horror stories and heard about this happening to people, but I always thought there were two sides to the story and that they were engaging in malicious activities. I didn't think it would happen to me... well now I am sincerely screwed. PayPal is what I use to pay rent, eat, etc. Awesome.
I had a similar problem with them a few years ago, due to the amount of money going through them and fears about money laundering. Once I provided the information they wanted, everything went back to normal. You do have recourse: ask for the reasoning behind their decision, explain your situation and, if necessary, go to the Ombudsman (UK) or whatever governing body handles them. They're ruled by financial laws the same as everyone else. The difficulty will be in the interim, especially if you have no bank accounts or anything outside the system. Perhaps a friend could open an account and you could temporarily send stuff there?
I do cashout everytime I got money within seconds. I have read very very scary stories about paypal and thats why am doing it.
You can check out the following: Toolkit pro 2013 Merchantine.com Allpay.net There are alternatives to Paypal out there.
First and foremost, since your in the US, get set up with stripe.com, they have the same rates as paypal and instant approval. Second you just have to keep at it with paypal. Ask them every bit of information they need and keep giving it to them. When you call immediately ask for a supervisor.
Ok, now I'm really confused, after 7 years of using they did something like that NOW!? I used Paypal before but my prices were not large and I didn't have so much incomes, maybe that's why I didn't have any problem with them like you.. What about Skrill then!? I got Skrill card few days ago and I'm thinking about working only throw them. Sorry if this is not section for that, I just want to share my opinion. Best regards, - Dennis
Well, I didn't expect this. After sending out an e-mail to every executive PayPal e-mail I could find on the internet, I got an e-mail 30 minutes later saying my account access had been restored. Normal e-mails and phone calls were getting me nowhere and then I noticed a 402 area code calling so I answered. It was one of the executives at PayPal. Basically, what I was told was: It looks like someone pressed the wrong button on your account. Well, that's a relief...
Well done, that is really good to read. Can you please send some of your good luck my way? One of my clients is stressing me out BIGTIME! (didn't get much sleep last night)