PayPal account limited! Should I just kiss it goodbye??

41 replies
I've recently had my account limited and was just wondering
if anyone has any advice on how to get back in good standing
with them?

It's kind of a shock after being with them for years that they can just
shut you down and keep your money for 6 months...

Any help would be appreciated
#account #goodbye #kiss #limited #paypal
  • Profile picture of the author Horny Devil
    Banned
    Have they notified you of a reason as to exactly why your account is back on a restricted limit. This is occasionally done due to suspicious activity or a sudden upsurge in usage and transactions, but either way you are entitled to an explanation at the very least.
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    • Profile picture of the author silyavski
      Check well your account sections for more info.
      Then when you find why, do a web search how to make the best solution to the problem.Be carefull and search only actual for today answers.
      Be prepared,not impulsive, cause they can be quite tricky.
      Count to 25 before take an action.
      I know from experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Johns
    It depends on what they think you have done and what you have actually done.

    Contact them and talk to them - it's a painful process speaking to Paypal but you may find that you can resolve it with them, depending on what they think the problem is. People do get their accounts back - it might be they just want more identity proof or something.

    Cheers

    Jason
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    • Profile picture of the author ezinewriter
      Originally Posted by Jason Johns View Post

      It depends on what they think you have done and what you have actually done.

      Contact them and talk to them - it's a painful process speaking to Paypal but you may find that you can resolve it with them, depending on what they think the problem is. People do get their accounts back - it might be they just want more identity proof or something.

      Cheers

      Jason
      I agree with Jason, You should contact them, a friend of mine faced the same problem and got it resolved after providing the identity proof.
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      • Profile picture of the author Duckets
        I've already called them once and their customer service
        rep was neither polite or even remotely helpful

        All I was looking for was an answer as to why my account was limited and the
        guy was a total #ick so I got frustrated and hung up

        These are the possible reasons they listed--(one or all??WTF) I guess vagueness
        is policy over there;

        You provided information that we believe was false, inaccurate, or misleading; or NO
        You sent or received money that was potentially related to fraudulent activity; or NO
        You have more than one account with a negative balance; or NO
        You are in violation of the User Agreement, the Commercial Entity Agreement, the Acceptable Use Policy, or another agreement you have with PayPal. Maybe,

        but then this one is up to interpretation

        I bought a product through paypal then started promoting the same thing--started making
        money with it--my account gets banned and the person I payed through pp keeps on
        trucking along with no issues

        Its just so frustrating!!

        No reason, just FU

        Years of using their service and the idea of customer loyalty is nowhere

        Thanks for the tips guys, still trying to wrap my head around this one
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        • Profile picture of the author firzmotion
          probably a "reason" why your account got banned is you received fraudulent payment or order. If some sites engaged with fraudulent activity, the merchant or in this case, paypal will evaluate your credibility. In most case, if the value is big they will close your account permanently. I know some sites that died already because of this.
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        • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
          Originally Posted by Duckets View Post


          You sent or received money that was potentially related to fraudulent activity; or NO
          You are assuming the answer to that question is no. But you do not know what problems anyone you have bought a product from has had.

          For instance, one of eBay's attorneys once told me they had banned someone from using PayPal and they had reviewed purchase records and also banned those who had purchased from the seller.

          Unless you find out why your account was limited it is difficult to see how you can get it reinstated.

          .
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        • Profile picture of the author contentwriting360
          Banned
          Originally Posted by Duckets View Post

          These are the possible reasons they listed--(one or all??WTF) I guess vagueness is policy over there
          It's just really frustrating enough when you're more than willing to cooperate but you're given with nothing but vague answers. So, you don't know what or which actions to take because you're trying to solve an unknown problem. Without any bias, be it PayPal or not, it would be helpful if their Customer Service Department would give everyone a clear and definite answer on what really is the problem.

          Originally Posted by michaeljcheney View Post

          Also - do what you can to get a dedicated Account Manager if you can, they can help smooth these things out for you.
          In connection to what I commented above, I second Michael's take to this. Customer Service Reps do follow a certain protocol. Sometimes, when it comes to refund requests, they won't refund you on the first up to the second attempt/request. On your third request, they suddenly process a refund. Sometimes, you can be an irate caller on your first call and they suddenly process a refund. The best thing that ever worked for us is to request a supervisor or an account manager on duty. That's an escalation already and someone's head might roll on the floor.
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        • Profile picture of the author DeborahDera
          Call again. Keep your cool despite your frustrations. Speak to another person. I've never had a negative phone experience with PayPal.
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          • Profile picture of the author therichb
            Originally Posted by DeborahDera View Post

            Call again. Keep your cool despite your frustrations. Speak to another person. I've never had a negative phone experience with PayPal.
            I have heard about Paypal that they treat Premier & Business very carefully. I do not posses know how for personal account which are basically meant for newbies or for people with low transactions in their personal banks.

            Contacting paypal is a simple process just like contacting Customer Support of any other company. Call them, they will ask you to give your ID & then they can tell you issues behind your account or for reinstating it.
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  • Profile picture of the author michaeljcheney
    Yeah this is annoying, despite putting millions of dollars (literally) thru my Paypal account they still froze me a few years back. It's only after sending them:

    - A business plan (yes, seriously!)
    - My birth cert
    - My driving licence
    - Practically even a DNA sample!

    That they finally re-instated my account. Also - do what you can to get a dedicated Account Manager if you can, they can help smooth these things out for you.

    Good luck.
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  • Profile picture of the author pamon
    paypal needs to be federally backed or FDIC insured. they limit accts without warning and go about their practices in illegal ways at times.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    I've learned over the years that the best way to deal with paypal - is the same way they deal with you. They really don't care about conducting a fair business when they deal with you. So whenever they do limit an account of mine (and if you do enough business it will eventually happen) - I just open another. And I never keep much in the account - nor do I link it to a bank account that has money in it.

    And then in the mean time you can continue to badger them about opening your other account. I've also found that their own rules are not widely known among their own workers. Keep badgering them, and eventually you'll come across someone that will re-open your account.

    Paypal is like the Mother-in-Law - You can't really kill her... but you don't have to like her either. You do however have to put up with her if you want to stay w/ the pretty lady.
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  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    No idea why? REALLY? So strange isn't it?
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      Were you using a personal account? That would do it. Is the information you provided when you opened the account accurate?

      All I was looking for was an answer as to why my account was limited and the guy was a total #ick so I got frustrated and hung up
      Some of the reps are very helpful - but you have to approach them in a positive way and be very polite with your questions.

      I'd try again by calling again - but don't make demands or argue...try to find out what the problem (your account, the product, a buyer) is and how or if you can fix it.

      Did you provide correct info when you got the account? Did you upgrade from a personal account before taking business payments? Know where the weak spots might be before you call.
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  • Profile picture of the author befree22
    Paypal is doing it for tax purposes. They state that 200 transaction plus $20,000 in revenue must be followed up by legal identity docs.
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  • Profile picture of the author grablo
    Originally Posted by Duckets View Post

    I've recently had my account limited and was just wondering
    if anyone has any advice on how to get back in good standing
    with them?

    It's kind of a shock after being with them for years that they can just
    shut you down and keep your money for 6 months...

    Any help would be appreciated
    I don't understand why paypal can't just let users verify their account from the beginning so that later on there will be no problems. Is this their way of making money? When they hold your funds for 6 months I am assuming they get some interest on it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Offline Doctor
      Originally Posted by grablo View Post

      I don't understand why paypal can't just let users verify their account from the beginning so that later on there will be no problems. Is this their way of making money? When they hold your funds for 6 months I am assuming they get some interest on it.
      Because that would cost PP tens of millions of dollars. They have no idea if you're going to be running any money through your account.

      It's strictly a business decision to save money.
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      • Profile picture of the author grablo
        Originally Posted by Offline Doctor View Post

        Because that would cost PP tens of millions of dollars. They have no idea if you're going to be running any money through your account.

        It's strictly a business decision to save money.
        I hardly doubt that it would cost so much...moneybookers do it successfully. When you do this you keep out the bad eggs, so in the long run you have less support tickets. Shouldn't be too hard to do.
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  • Profile picture of the author The Star
    if your paypal accont backed up by credit card, otherwise it will be hard pressed to his back and you have to say goodbye. because now paypal is extremely tight.
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by Horny Devil View Post

      but either way you are entitled to an explanation at the very least.
      No, not really. They have the right to close your account and they are not required to tell you anything more than that. Sure, it would be nice if they did but they don't have to.

      Originally Posted by garyv View Post

      I've learned over the years that the best way to deal with paypal - is the same way they deal with you. They really don't care about conducting a fair business when they deal with you.
      I wouldn't recommend this. Giving them attitude is never going to get your account reopened. I have had nothing but nice and fair dealings with Paypal in the past. Losing your cool with anyone in business is never going to get you a great outcome.

      Originally Posted by garyv View Post

      So whenever they do limit an account of mine (and if you do enough business it will eventually happen) - I just open another. And I never keep much in the account - nor do I link it to a bank account that has money in it.
      Paypal specifically state that if an account is limited or frozen you are not to go and open a new one. If you are opening multiple accounts in a way that you shouldn't be then you should expect to have issues with them.

      Also, contrary to your belief, Paypal can overdraw your bank account if you owe them money -- even if the account is zero, so don't think that will stop anything. If you owe then money they will get it.
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      • Profile picture of the author Val Wilson
        Originally Posted by WillR View Post

        Giving them attitude is never going to get your account reopened. I have had nothing but nice and fair dealings with Paypal in the past. Losing your cool with anyone in business is never going to get you a great outcome.
        My dealings with Paypal have always been positive as well (so far anyway). Any issues I had I was able to get resolved over the phone.

        Keep ringing until you get someone who is helpful - but don't give attitude or it will be noted on your account, and you'll be beaten before you begin.
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  • Profile picture of the author RedShifted
    I have also called paypal and got nothing but the most polite responses in return.

    They lifted limits on my first call, and no I wasn't transfering billions like some other people who need to remind us everyday how rich they are. As I'm sure thats how rich people really act. =/

    -Red
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  • Profile picture of the author sloanjim
    but how do you get passed the limits they impose on new accounts?

    I've learned over the years that the best way to deal with paypal - is the same way they deal with you. They really don't care about conducting a fair business when they deal with you. So whenever they do limit an account of mine (and if you do enough business it will eventually happen) - I just open another. And I never keep much in the account - nor do I link it to a bank account that has money in it.
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  • Profile picture of the author matican
    must send a copy of ID, invoice of gas or phone or copy from bank account to unlimited!
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  • Profile picture of the author Clive Hitchcock
    Originally Posted by Duckets View Post

    I've recently had my account limited and was just wondering
    if anyone has any advice on how to get back in good standing
    with them?

    It's kind of a shock after being with them for years that they can just
    shut you down and keep your money for 6 months...

    Any help would be appreciated
    Have you withdrawn any large sums of money in one go? I've been lead to believe that paypal hates this. You need to leave money in there as a float. Good Luck
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by Clive Hitchcock View Post

      Have you withdrawn any large sums of money in one go? I've been lead to believe that paypal hates this. You need to leave money in there as a float. Good Luck
      It's not as black and white as this.

      I constantly see people saying you should never take large sums out, or you should never use Paypal for a product launch, and so on.

      They are NOT blanket rules.

      What DOES matter is how this activity compares to your usual (average) activity. So someone who is doing $50,000 per month and withdraws a sum of $2,000 is not likely to raise any suspicions. But if your account is only doing about $2,000 a month and you then withdraw that same amount, then that kind of activity will likely attract a closer look of your account.

      Both people are withdrawing the exact same amount of money but they are two very different circumstances and will result in two very different outcomes.
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      • Profile picture of the author grablo
        Originally Posted by WillR View Post

        What DOES matter is how this activity compares to your usual (average) activity. So someone who is doing $50,000 per month and withdraws a sum of $2,000 is not likely to raise any suspicions. But if your account is only doing about $2,000 a month and you then withdraw that same amount, then that kind of activity will likely attract a closer look of your account.
        But why would it be a concern if you take out all that you earn? The main reason why most people (i could be wrong here) take most of what they receive out is because they are worried that PP is going to limit the account. Other reason could be that the account holder is running a tight budget and needs every penny.
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        • Profile picture of the author WillR
          Originally Posted by grablo View Post

          But why would it be a concern if you take out all that you earn?
          Ok, lets assume (for this little experiment) I am working as a risk assessment officer at Paypal.

          I see your account has processed $3,000 worth of sales over the last two weeks. You then go and transfer $2,000 of that money into your bank account a week later. Knowing that customers have a 45 day window in which they can dispute that transaction and get their money back, do you think you now pose a slight risk to Paypal? Hell yes you do. If all your customers come asking for their money back, Paypal are now $2,000 in the hole. Even if just half of your customers come asking for their money back (and it does happen) then Paypal are still $500 in the red. They are not going to let that happen.

          The moment you become even a slight risk to Paypal is the same time they will review your account and place a limitation or a freeze on it.

          This is not rocket science, it's simple business. Withdrawing all (or most) of your money just after earning it is going to make things look very suspicious and high risk to Paypal.

          Originally Posted by grablo View Post

          The main reason why most people (i could be wrong here) take most of what they receive out is because they are worried that PP is going to limit the account.
          Yes, because they have been ill informed by others. By taking out everything you earn you are actually making it a LOT more likely your account will get closed or frozen. You're certainly not helping the situation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tcodm
    Do you guys think moneybookers is the way to go? should we stop using paypal and head over to moneybookers.
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  • Profile picture of the author JohnnyDeez
    As you can see by the popularity of this post, it's not uncommon. When I've had issues in the past, I too have called them, but rarely got anywhere.

    I do everything above the board, follow their policies, etc... But sometimes you just can't win.

    Twice I've had a hold placed on my account with no idea why, and no reasons given after a phone call. But, waiting it out has worked for me in the past. Usually within a month or two it is removed and things normalize.

    I never keep any money in my Paypal account, for that reason.
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  • Profile picture of the author grablo
    @WiLLR...so then why do they dip into your bank account when you have a reversal? They are protected because they can take the funds from the CC or Bank account you have attached to your account. Furthermore, if they are indirectly saying that they withhold funds to cover any potential losses they should clearly make it policy by implementing it on their site just like credit card processors do it.
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by grablo View Post

      @WiLLR...so then why do they dip into your bank account when you have a reversal? They are protected because they can take the funds from the CC or Bank account you have attached to your account. Furthermore, if they are indirectly saying that they withhold funds to cover any potential losses they should clearly make it policy by implementing it on their site just like credit card processors do it.
      I'm not here to debate this with you. You are welcome to do whatever you like with your account. I'm just going off of what Paypal have told me in the past and what many others have also found to be something Paypal do not like.

      This thread was about a Paypal account being limited. I am telling you why removing all or most of your funds is going to make you a higher risk to Paypal and thus increase the chances of having your account limited or frozen.

      Yes, they have the ability to go and get money back but they would rather not have to do that if they don't need to. A normal business does not make $2,000 worth of sales and yank it out of their account a week later. It's just not how a normal business operates so when Paypal sees activity like that they are likely to act on it. Remember, Paypal are not like the law. With Paypal you are guilty until proven innocent. If you want to risk things then go ahead and keep doing it.

      On a sidenote, do you know one of the very first things Paypal will impose on people who they deem to have a very high risk business model? A rolling reserve. Yes, that's right, they will force some accounts to always hold a minimum balance in case of refunds or chargebacks. If that is not enough proof for you right there then I don't know what else to tell you.
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  • Profile picture of the author grablo
    @WiLLR...ok end of debate Was just trying to prove a point actually, which is....it doesn't matter what you do. At some point they are going to upset your business and once you are prepared for it you can go ahead. I would personally love to see them verify accounts from day one!
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  • Profile picture of the author Jackson Tan
    just had a one month ordeal with PayPal.Limited my account saying that I violated their policies.

    Called and emailed did not have much effect till I visited their office. Then, finally someone from Shanghai called to explain and claim that I am not allowed to have a landing page linking to a OTO using PayPal as a payment merchant.. saying it is risky..

    I was shocked... then had to explained that the OTO does not belong to me and so on and so forth. demanded me to remove the PayPal from the TY page (i dun own the page! they just dun get it huh?Just affiliate link)

    Eventually I changed the OTO and they uplifted the limitations. Was quite a horrible experiences

    Haiz..
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    • Profile picture of the author Leveragist
      Originally Posted by Jackson Tan View Post

      ...I am not allowed to have a landing page linking to a OTO using PayPal as a payment merchant.. saying it is risky..

      I was shocked... then had to explained that the OTO does not belong to me and so on and so forth. demanded me to remove the PayPal from the TY page (i dun own the page! they just dun get it huh?Just affiliate link)
      What is "OTO" and "TY"?
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      • Profile picture of the author lovebeingdaddy
        OTO means- One Time Offer
        TY Page- I believe he is referring to his "Thank You Page"
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  • Profile picture of the author johnben1444
    Nothing to say other than I hope a better and generally accepted form of payment comes up real soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author bladening
    For B2B merchant, PayPal is a disaster
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    • Profile picture of the author WillR
      Originally Posted by bladening View Post

      For B2B merchant, PayPal is a disaster
      No they aren't. Maybe they were for you but it's not the case with most.

      Someone who's family member goes on a plane flight and crashes into the side of the mountain is going to tell others that they should never fly on planes... yet thousands of people use planes every day of the week and have absolutely no problem. In fact it's a very very small percentage of people who are ever going to have an issue with planes... the same goes with Paypal.

      Your judgement is tainted by personal experience.
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  • Profile picture of the author MichaelNech
    Firstly, and this is probably the most important advice I could ever give you, ALWAYS have a back up in place.

    I've been with PP for years and have had my account in review after taking in a larger batch of orders. They limited my account and reopened it 2 days later after calling them and explaining the nature of those sales.

    But, like I was saying, you MUST have an alternative way of taking in orders at any given time. There are a few options out there which are extremely reliable (and yes, I'm using them so I speak from experience) and most importantly, they accept PayPal as a way for your clients to pay you.

    One of these solutions is 2checkout.

    The other important advice is this: NEVER be anything else but polite when you talk to them on the phone. Yelling at them or repeating on a loop that you've done nothing wrong will not resolve your issue.

    I'm dealing with tens of clients on a monthly basis and sometime their accounts get limited (mainly for receiving large amounts of money). This is what they're doing and it works: call them, tell them you've already spoken with an agent and that you'd like to get transferred to the review department.

    If you do a Google search you'll find plenty of site posting the phone numbers of the review department (I'm talking about the US phone numbers).

    If the first agent doesn't want to transfer you, then thank him and call again. Another agent will answer and you'll have to repeat the process until you get trough to a supervisor. They hold the real power.

    Try to be as polite/professional as possible, offer as many details as possible. If you don't have a large number of refunds/complaints/chargebacks and if you OFFER them a solution to your specific case, then they might agree to reinstate you.

    Again, you have to sound and act like a real business man/women: present your case and ALSO offer a solution. You might go as far as telling them that you will accept having a reserve on your account if they agree to reinstate you.

    Hope this helps.
    Mike
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