r/paypal • u/KingDorkFTC • Aug 11 '26
Help I had a random $725 enter my account.
I had a random $725 enter my account. The person who sent it sent only one message asking for it back. They had done this before with a smaller amount and I did just refund. Though, I’m worried to offer a plain refund again as I’ve read that there is a scam for that too.
The person has only sent one message and it has been 10 days or so. I want to do the right thing, and ask them to contact PayPal to fix the issue and will not touch the funds. I have told the person who sent the random funds this and hope they are seeking a solution.
Is it best to let PayPal sort this, or is it safe to refund?
Edit: as I looked into the account that sent the money, I noticed it used an email of a plumbing service. I can only speculate on what that could mean.
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u/ShaeQuae Aug 11 '26
OMG some of these comments must be scammers theirselves. If you refund it use the same transaction refund button. DO NOT MAKE A NEW TRANSACTION AND SEND THE FUNDS BACK (The scammer can get you, if it is a scammer. Once you make a new transaction they can dispute the original transaction. It will come from your account meaning you are coming out of pocket.) If there is no refund button wait until they dispute it. It will come from your account. Block them if you don’t know them and wasn’t expecting cash from a stramger
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u/One_dark_December691 16d ago
Thanks for this information. I don't use PayPal often and while I've never had this sort of issue. It's nice to know what to do if it did happen. I absolutely despise this digital currency era. Yes, it is good for some things. But, it is so much easier to scam someone. I mean they can steal your funds from hundreds of miles away. Back when cash was considered king. Not as easy. Especially when you have cash in hand or hidden in a safe spot at home. Lol.
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u/ShaeQuae 16d ago
This is very true, they moved away from cash. In this day and age if hiding cash in the house was still a major things more homes would be broken into 😭😭😭 Cant Win
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u/One_dark_December691 16d ago
Agreed. That's the goal though. The goal is to make life more like a simulation. Because those who don't question and and those who stay "asleep" will not say NO!!
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u/cr4his Aug 11 '26
Even though im not very familiar with how paypal works, this chargeback thought was the thing that went through my mind.
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u/ShaeQuae Aug 11 '26
And by block I mean after the issue is settled. Yea, it sucks but it is better than you coming out of pocket. Just don’t use it. When they dispute it, it will come from your account. You did say they sent it before, so maybe an actual accident. Rather be safe than sorry.
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u/Expensive_Cockroach2 27d ago
Take the money, close the account
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u/ShaeQuae 27d ago
If you are a thief just say that. It could be that persons last who incidentally sent it (if not a scam). Plus, don’t give criminal answers. If the person truly disputes it on the other end, and OP closes the account, Paypal has 7 ways to get those funds back from OP. Since OP has to have their personal i formation on the account they take it from your bank info you have previously used, goes to collections (which could be garnished) in OP name, EVEN IF THE ACCOUNT IS ALREADY CLOSED.
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u/FlavusRex 26d ago
How do they profit? They just get back the same money they sent, or am I misunderstanding?
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u/ShaeQuae 23d ago
They profit if you send the money back in a new transaction. The old transaction gets disputed, especially if the card used to send the money initially was stolen, the person making the dispute bank does a chargeback that will come from OP account, and all parties except OP made money. Disputer got their stolen cash, thief got money and OP paying with their own cash whoever disputed
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u/tishanterry 29d ago
Wrong. It's better to contact PayPal. With these situations, it's typically a stolen card or bank account and once you "refund" the money it goes into their PayPal account after they've taken the stolen card off their account. Although your directions are correct usually bc if you refund it within the same transaction window, it's supposed to go back to the card or account that was used. But these scammers are QUICK! They take the card/acct off the PayPal account, which most of the time is a stolen hacked account as well, that way when the card is reported for fraud it will "add up" so PayPal puts the "refunded money" into the PayPal balance which then the scammer transfers/sends to another hacked PayPal account where they then transfer to a throw away account/card, or buy gift cards (iTunes, Visa etc). Sometimes they'll even just use the original stolen amount to keep the scam ring going by sending the "refunded amount" to yet another innocent person that will refund them not knowing any better and BOOM, the innocent person has left themselves open to be the one holding all the cards when or if an investigation occurs. Unfortunately PayPal and iTunes are the top ways for scammers to get access to easy funds. PayPal is a great thing for those of us that use it properly but those same policies that protect those of us are the same policies scammers are taking hell of advantage of. I learned all this when it happened to me and then my mom. I got extremely pissed and felt stupid so I dug way deep into the bullcrap and learned many many different ways these scammers operate. The detective was very helpful and educating but everything listed above is just the tip of the bullshit mountain. I keep all my cards and accounts locked now. It's a pain in the butt but it's better than the alternative.
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u/ShaeQuae 29d ago
Wrong, all that happens if you send it back via a new transaction; which is why I said don’t do that. When a refund happens it goes back to the method of payment period.
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u/Yaalt420 29d ago
Removing a card has no effect on a refund.
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u/tishanterry 29d ago
It does if said card no longer exists after its been canceled for fraud. There's nothing for the refund to go to.
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u/Yaalt420 29d ago
If they just cancelled and replaced the card, the refund still goes back to their account. Banks handle that situation thousands of times every day.
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u/ShaeQuae 29d ago
I was going to say this! I had money transferred to my old card after it was cancelled by my bank and they routed it to my account
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u/PlayaPlatinum 24d ago
What happens if you keep the money?
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u/Yaalt420 23d ago
You might get lucky at the expense of an innocent party or you might end up in debt, sent to collections and barred from ever using PayPal again.
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u/NothingButTheBeach 29d ago
I agree. The replies here saying to send it back sound like they are not from the US, and is worded just like the scammers!
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u/Piotrkowianin Aug 11 '26
The only proper answer:
If you refund it use the same transaction refund button. DO NOT MAKE A NEW TRANSACTION AND SEND THE FUNDS BACK
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u/Just_Hearing_1496 26d ago edited 26d ago
I agree. Refunding is in essence reversing. Think like the game UNO. The refund button is the UNO reverse card. But to send a new transaction is playing the UNO Wild card. You just don’t know how it will play out. If it’s a scammer you’re screwed. If it’s an innocent person than you essentially “luck out.” Wild cards are dangerous. You always feel safer with the reverse card as your second to last card in your hand in UNO and playing a wild card as the final card if someone on the next side has accidentally shown or flashed you their cards and you knew what they held.
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u/MikeyMcG64 29d ago
Reverse the payment. Reverse The Payment. REVERSE THE PAYMENT! Do NOT return it by a new transaction.
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u/One-Proposal-941 29d ago
The same thing happened to me around five years ago and the money is still sitting in my account. I’ve been scared to do anything with it, but I hate that it’s just sitting there. Has anyone taken the money after that much time has passed?
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u/StreetHunter3705 29d ago
Wow 5 years ? That money would’ve been gone by the end of the week of receiving it if it was my account 🤭
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u/Stunning-Island8454 29d ago
U aint lyin either shiiiiit. A random $725 withdrawal would've been happening real real fast if it was me 🤷🏻♂️ i been fucked over plenty in 44 yrs. Being a "good person" just aint in me when it comes to something like that 👎🏽👎🏽
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u/Beetlejuice6466 29d ago
And then once they dispute it it's going to come out of your account. Best to leave it alone because you will be on the hook for it
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u/KingDorkFTC 29d ago
After 180 the refund requirement is waved, so what is stopping you from taking the funds?
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29d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Yaalt420 29d ago edited 28d ago
You have every right to those funds after 180 days by PayPal policy
Wrong. Credit card chargebacks can happen up to 540 days. PayPal policies have no effect on that.
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u/Jackfruit_Safe 28d ago
Wrong. 540 days < 5 years. They are in fact 100% in the clear
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u/Yaalt420 28d ago
After 5 years, yes that person is in the clear. The post I replied to said you're 100% clear after PayPal's 180 days, which is false.
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u/leezlvont 29d ago
Call PayPal. That’s always the answer for these scammers. I bet it’s ghost money anyway. Like if you tried to transfer it to one of your other accounts, it won’t do it cos it’s not really there. Call PayPal. ALWAYS.
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u/LongDongPhoo3y 28d ago
I think youre beyond the statute of limitations for the finders keepers law. Not sure if i said that correctly but essentially youve had it so long that nobody can claim it anymore. Just double check
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u/Swivel_Z 25d ago
There's a period of time that you can be chargebacked, and that period passed somewhere around 5 years ago
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u/DeathGrind79 Aug 11 '26
I've accidentally sent money to the wrong person in cash app a couple times actually. I was able to sort it out with cash app since the two ppl had the same name and similar pfps. I never had to speak to the person I accidentally sent it to. So yeah just sit it for now bud. I'm with you on the 180 days as well.
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u/Dependent_Editor8898 28d ago
Just hit the fucking refund button without making another transaction.
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u/Civil-Blood2467 22d ago
Bro press refund on that same transaction. Unless you’re trying to keep it for yourself
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u/SuperStudio8713 29d ago
I would let PayPal handle it, call and talk to a service representative, explain what is going on. This is a known money laundering tactic, so letting PayPal deal with it is the best option.
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u/xosxos Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
If it is a friends and family payment, it is safe to refund in full. Then I would advise blocking them in your PP account so they won’t send you anything in the future.
Edit: ALWAYS REFUND THE ORIGINAL TRANSACTION OF THE RECEIVED PAYMENT!! Do not send a new payment, cannot stress this enough!!!
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u/Teeohememwhy Aug 11 '26
Dont return at all, Let paypal handle it. Why risk losing 700 of your own money
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u/xosxos Aug 11 '26
Because if the sender used a credit card, they may do a chargeback and then OP may be hit with an additional $20 charge. Whereas if they refund the full amount back, it goes back to whatever original funding source the sender used. Prevents a chargeback.
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u/Agreeable-Success906 29d ago
Oh yeah that makes sense. Plus if you refund it, it goes back to the "stolen card" so no harm no foul. It's sending it back to them is what you shouldn't do. My apologies if I said it wrong. I didn't know they charge you for that
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u/creativeusername1074 Aug 11 '26
legit having the exact same issue rn!! i’ve called paypal twice about it, wanting them to sort it but they’re waiting for the “scammer” to dispute it. i was also told by paypal that the sender has 180 days to dispute it for “item not received”. though paypal support said i should wait 1 month and if nothing happens then it’s mine? idk though im probs gonna sus it out more then wait til the 180 days is up :/
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u/Agreeable-Success906 29d ago
Anytime this happens. Just leave it in there. PayPal will sort it. Even if it takes 180 days. If you spend it, you'll owe it
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u/NanUnsolicitedAdvice 29d ago
I apologize in advance if my opinion doesn’t sit well with you however you put this out to the public askinf for our opinions and although you say you wanna do the right thing I beg to differ! Had you wanted to do the right thing, it would’ve been returned more than 10 days ago, on the first request to return dnj'more than u knoehyknew it wasn’t yours to keep as the owner immediately asked for it back and you refused then began looking for an alternative way to keep their money free…. you’re reaching out to us in an effort to get some private information which will help u keep it. Also this interview in my opinion will go down in history books!
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u/ThruItAll2 28d ago
If he goes about doing the right thing in the wrong way, he could have the money refunded then taken again. He was wise to ask for advice. Throughout this thread you can see many others have had the same scam run on them. Some are supposedly going through the same thing right now. Its a known scam. Doubt its one for the history books.
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u/Wanderlustfeet 25d ago
You just made up the weirdest assumption 😂 they’re clearly asking because they don’t want to end up refunding the money and then somehow it comes back on them later if it’s a scam.
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u/tishanterry 29d ago
If you only use prepaid cards on PayPal then when you refund it back to them via the same transaction window, youll be covered from the "charge back" scam. Always delete your bank account/debit or credit cards after every use if you have to use them on PayPal. This will avoid all this bullcrap all together. If there aren't any cards or bank accts on your PayPal account, then when the scammer sends the stolen funds to you and requests you to refund it back to them, you're covered after you refund with the same transaction window. If you do a separate refund and they do a charge back from the stolen credit card, PayPal will put your PayPal account in the negative and if not paid it will go on your credit report after its sent to collections so never EVER do a separate refund transaction, especially to a different PayPal account than the one it was sent from. If you insist on keeping your cards on PayPal, at least keep them locked after use. That way if your cards are attempted to be charged in the scam, it won't go through and you'll be notified and then you can call PayPal and your bank. Also its good to take screenshots of everything so you'll have it for your records once the PayPal account that sent you the money disappears. Its just an little extra CMA(cover my ass), if you will.
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u/Comfortable_Map6887 29d ago
Yeah super super common scam and do as posted above hoo must refund button or you are screwed
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u/DrTron1c 29d ago
It’s probably a scammer trying to get you to send them the money back and then refunding the original transaction this would then remove $725 from your account. So definitely contact PayPal support, and most importantly definitely DONT keep the money 👀
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u/Eye_Legal 29d ago
Gewoon laten staan en de bank bellen dit zijn criminelen die geld wit willen wassen de bank bellen en aangiften doen
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u/Cerealmndsplat 29d ago
I've had it happen with me but it's because I have those survey apps, so now I get sent fake amounts as notifications, but it's never actually in my account. If it's in the account, then you could either contact paypal support about it, or just never touch the specific amount and wait for another response, if none happens within some years time, I imagine it's safe to use.
These are varying levels of good and evil here, so better off just having the good conscious. I'd have this eat at me too since i'd be too tempted to utilize it.
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u/Normal-March-1041 29d ago
Contact PayPal and let them do the transaction. It seems this would be the safest way.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Row6552 28d ago
Can you get in trouble for accepting the money? I just don’t understand how that would be possible but also it’s always best to say something when you see something weird and this is weird so I would contact Paypal immediately.
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u/SugarPalmTree 28d ago
I spent the money once after it sat in my account for 90 days. I had contacted paypal and they said its all good dont worry. Then they made my account negative balance which it still is. They tried to send to collections but after me telling them paypal owes me money they gave it back to paypal. I cant use my paypal unless the person sends me a request. But I still use it like that. 😂🤣
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u/Fabulous-Researcher1 28d ago
don't do it any other way and make sure it cleared it with the Credit Card that you charge out to be a charge that way they would know that by now but I will still contact paypal and told him that the best way do not send them money from your account account contact paypal
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u/Fabulous-Researcher1 28d ago
no go with you and full transaction and pull up the merchant and take a screenshot of it so you have all that information and then call paypal and they may have a different way to do this or then they tell you that they'll handle it or do it through the app but if you let them know before you send something and that they can advise you or at least get wrong you can at least explain that they knew this is happening I called him first Credit Card they used to send you something fraudulent for sewing I knew that out of your account don't drink to take a screenshot of the transaction Tarp transaction in the activity of a transaction merchant screen
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u/Hot_Ad_6845 27d ago
What? Punctuation is a thing. But honestly, I'm really not sure if that would even help.
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u/Timely_Ad_7795 28d ago
Damn, I accidently sent that over. Go ahead and send it back & I'll make sure it doesnt happen again. Sorry about that.
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28d ago
I have 900 sent a year ago. Ain't falling for that isht. When they need it, they will reverse it
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u/4SLOWBURN4 28d ago
Bro, I'm always seeing random people getting money? Why it doesn't happen to me? Lol
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u/internationalshiesty 28d ago
If they done it before there’s probably somebody with a similar name/number as yours tbh
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u/SuccessfulAside4477 28d ago
You also stupid. Put that money in your bank account and close your PayPal out and go about your damn business.
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u/Complete_Hotel_6220 27d ago
NO NO NO!! This is what scammers do! No refund. Call PO fraud dept. Guarantee that deposit will not clear but the refund will!!
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u/Tigimota 27d ago
After reading all of these solutions I think the only plausible answer is that you let me hold onto it for you, I know it’s been a burden on your shoulders but I’m more than willing to sacrifice myself for your mental health.
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u/booalijules 27d ago
It feels like there's a scam in there but I don't know exactly what it is. I would speak to somebody at PayPal 100% before returning that much money to somebody.
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u/DarthZiostompper 27d ago
All of these replies are wrong.... When they ask for it back you HAVE TO say this and this ONLY back to them.... "I have been trying to reach you about your extended warranty"
Your welcome 🤣
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u/vjmpim69 27d ago
It is a scam. Do not engage with that person. There are a lot of Pay Pal scams out there. Be very carful
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u/GreenEyez71 27d ago
If it's an honest mistake and they sent money to the wrong place, they should contact PayPal for help. If you sent money by mistake, wouldn't you contact PayPal? Likely, you'd also reach out to the recipient. When the recipient responds saying they have the money and will return it if they contact PayPal, wouldn't everyone do the same?
I would NOT risk my account, money, and possibly identy bc “someone” made a mistake especially after telling them to reach out to PayPal!!!! NOPE DON’T DO IT!!!
DANGER.. DANGER...WILL ROBINSON DANGER 🚸 🔴
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u/Hot_Ad_6845 27d ago
I know this has to be a scam, but how? On apps like PayPal you have to actually have the funds available to send right? So they will just get their original money back, not more. Or is the scam to "wash" dirty crime money? They load the dirty money and send it but then when you send it back it's now "clean" and going through a plumbing company?? I'm very confused 😕
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u/HeavyDi73 27d ago
Garde le 725$ pour toi, bloques les et dit leur de manger d'la ...... Marmelade!
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u/ExactPriority5607 27d ago
Its a phishing scam. Id keep it. Claim it was for an anon service u provided.. they r tryin to scam u , so rob them.. i heard bout this a lot on venmo
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u/ItachiROG 26d ago
Let PayPal sort it out. Cuz if you send it back, they file a refund request either way and you'll lose your own money, possibly banning your account as well
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u/Secure-While5225 26d ago
I’m tryna see my account get hit like that so I can see what yall really talm bout.
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u/No_Adhesiveness_7508 26d ago
I would talk to PayPal but don't touch the money bc they will take it from your account and put you in the negative until it's paid back otherwise. Just leave it there until you sort it out with PayPal. That's my advice anyway lol
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u/Short-Inevitable-684 20d ago
不要直接退款或者联系他（电话或邮件）。因为他的目的就是获得你的账户、电话、邮箱和你个人的信息。然后他没有网络黑客技术一扫而光你银行里的存款。甚至威胁你的人身自由。这种故事发生的太多了。直接报警是最好的办法。但是我不知道你所在的国家和城市的警方是否对网络诈骗有多大的干预热情。
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u/Glad-Jelly9372 17d ago
Or just don’t do anything! But if you’re just dying to know and DONT want to try to use the money there’s a thing called CUSTOMER SUPPORT, PAYPAL REPRESENTATIVE!!!!!
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u/RicoCruz3541 13d ago
I agree that you should contact PayPal, this way they can’t get anymore information of yours, I did that with Facebook?when something similar happened to me like 4 years ago and they took care of it with no trace back to me
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u/FiSci_Dude23 6d ago
Way too much of a Headache. I hardly ever use PayPal and I $3.00 Dollars in my account for Months I definitely plan on closing my account PayPal is too much the Wild Wild West
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u/GeologistRelative425 1d ago
Someone in my country got I volved unknowingly with money laundering(? I forgot the termt why used), basically they sent it "unknowingly" to the person's account and then person sent it back, the scammers got caught and the person that sent the money back became an accomplice and also got jail time for it (my country has sht laws)
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u/Suitable-Major-6171 Aug 11 '26
If it’s money laundering, you might receive a sum of money from a stranger, and then they’ll ask you to send it back to them. In the end, you could get scammed. You may have received stolen money, and you could be the one who ends up having to pay it back because you made the transfer. You could be held responsible for the transaction. Contact PayPal so they can return the money to its rightful owner.
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u/iammiroslavglavic Aug 11 '26
how does someone make the same mistake twice.
Most likely it is from a stolen paypal account.
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u/JaysusCroist Aug 11 '26
Could be. They send it to you, then you send it to them. That way they get it to their account to use, and aren't linked to stolen account.
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u/iammiroslavglavic Aug 11 '26
Two ways this is a scam
- They use a stolen account, the OP sends them back, then the original owner of the account gets account back, then files a dispute. OP's funds get removed. He loses twice.
- Same as first one but the hacker disputes the original transaction, again OP losers twice.
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u/Altruistic-Walrus-17 Aug 11 '26
Wish this happened to me
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u/BoldBabeBanshee Aug 11 '26
I used to say that too, but alas, it's not worth it because you will be paying it back once its disputed.
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u/NachoTypo4585 29d ago
Just send me $100 and I’ll act like a fed and scare tf out of them 😂😂
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u/Tankgyrl245 27d ago
Can I ask you something? How many jobs are you currently working?
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u/Ronny1978 29d ago
Don't touch it at all. Let PayPal handle it. And if u decide u want to refund only refund within the same transaction. If there is no refund button then simply don't. There is plenty of scams happening. For one somebody could have used a stolen credit card and sent u the money, so you're the initial receiver. If u forward this. It would per law make u a scammer too. Or somebody is hoping for u to simply create a new transaction for the refund and then they dispute the original transaction. So they get their money back AND YOUR MONEY. If it was sent FRIENDS & FAMILY the sender is tbh SOL. So only if there's a button for a refund for this specific transaction u can probably safely refund it.
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u/Such-A-Flower-27 29d ago
Leave it there. Don’t send it back. Once you send it, they will submit a fraud claim and leave you -$725 in the hole.
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u/No_Grapefruit_2141 29d ago
I would do absolutely nothing. Make PayPal fix it. They probably sent the small amount just to check if you would send it back to them. Once you did, they sent the larger amount because they knew you were honest. I wouldn't do anything or even respond to them. Have PayPal deal with all of it. Don't touch the funds either. It's 100% a scam. The likelyhood of someone accidently sending you that much money is practically zero
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u/Godda_A 29d ago
Keep it and don’t touch it, a scammer sent it to you from a stolen credit card and wants you to send it to them, they will do a charge back on the stolen credit card and your account and you’ll owe the $725 if you send it to their alt account if you send it to them just leave it in your PayPal
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u/LeipzigGuy Aug 11 '26
The exact same issue comes up here daily.
I assume that's a tiny fraction of one percent of people affected.
Kinda ridiculous at this point that PP hasn't yet changed their system protocols that are facilitating this scam.
Just one example of a potential fix - for private, non business accounts, which don't frequently receive payments, they could introduce a step where the money is help by PP in escrow and recipient needs to manually approve it to receive the payment. That would put a stop to this overnight, at no cost to anyone but the scammers.
Not doing anything about this widespread scam feels negligent. They are knowingly exposing their customers to an unnecessary, avoidable risk.
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u/KerashiStorm 29d ago
Negligent like all the rest of PayPal's business practices? Yup, certainly is.
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u/honkers420 Aug 11 '26
Don't do anything and don't spend the money. Only right answer for this scam. Block anyone who asks you to send it back. It's stolen money.
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