PayPal $500 Gift - Will this look suspicious?

by GoodnightSweetRatRace

Posted: 12 years ago 11 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I recently came 3rd in an affiliate contest, and I have the choice between an Ipad 3 or $500.

I would rather have the $500, but my Paypal rarely see's any activity and I don't want them to put the money on hold or whatever.

Can Paypal mess you around if the money is sent as 'Gift'?

#$500 #gift #paypal #suspicious

Gene Pimentel 12 years ago

It's not the amount or the fact that it's a "gift". The red flags go up when your account suddenly has a dramatic change in activity.
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sbucciarel Banned 12 years ago

I would think a gift would look more suspicious than a payment. I wouldn't do it.
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- GoodnightSweetRatRace 12 years ago
  
  What's the best way around this?
  
  Can't believe it's such a pain in the ass to recieve a payment.
  
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  rhinocl 12 years ago
  
  I would say don't be so paranoid. Sure they could limit your account but think about it. Even the poorest people in first world countries might have relatives who might send them $500. So it shouldn't be uncommon and raise any flags.
  
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Rocketboy 12 years ago

$500 is ok. as a gift. But $5000 looks more suspicious. I don't think paypal with mess with $500.
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Chronic IM 12 years ago

Hello! It would rather look suspicious for a sudden activity change in your account but the fact that they are just hosting I think it wouldn't that affected. But just to be careful, I wouldn't do it. Best of Luck!
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WillR 12 years ago

No one here for sure knows what is going to happen but I really don't think a $500 payment from someone is going to raise any flags. Can you imagine the amount of accounts they would have to review on a daily basis if that were the case.

There would be plenty of people transferring those sorts of amounts to relatives overseas, to top up a Paypal balance so they can purchase something, and so on.

I wouldn't be too concerned.
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- Alexa Smith Banned 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by WillR
  
  No one here for sure knows that is going to happen
  
  This.
  
  I think you should call PayPal and explain to them what the $500 is and why it'll be hitting your account, first.
  
  I find it a real stretch to imagine that $500 can cause you a big problem there, if you do that.
  
  And well done for winning it.
  
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  NicoleBeckett 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Alexa Smith
  
  I think you should call PayPal and explain to them what the $500 is and why it'll be hitting your account, first.
  
  Very good advice, Alexa! PayPal is actually very easy to deal with over the phone. I've had to call them a couple of times with questions, and you'd never know they were a giant company. Unlike the other "big guys", you don't have to wait on hold forever, speak to a recording instead of a real person, or deal with rudeness or incompetence once you get transferred to someone.
  
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Michael Oksa 12 years ago

Originally Posted by GoodnightSweetRatRace

Can Paypal mess you around if the money is sent as 'Gift'?

The real question is: "Can PayPal do whatever they deem necessary to make sure that their Terms of Service are not being violated?"

That being said, I don't think you have to worry all that much. Has there been ANY recent activity on your account? When was the last time the account was used (payment sent or received)? Have you ever had a payment of $100 or more?

There's no way of knowing for sure, but it doesn't seem to me like one gift of $500 would be enough to trigger the alarm, at least not on an aged account that has some level of activity.

One other note: IF you are in the U.S., then you will have to claim that $500 as income on your taxes.

All the best,
Michael
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Deji 12 years ago

Considering the fact that your Paypal account "rarely sees any activity", it may be risky to receive a $500 lump payment in one swoop. Your best bet would be to call Paypal and ask them. You definately don't want your money to be held on hold for 180 days with a limited Paypal account.
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