Paypal account has just been frozen, got some stuff sold on ebay, what to do

[brooker9]

In the last fortnight started selling a few bits (less than 10) on ebay, all good. Put about another 10 things up, then email from paypal - we're investigating your account, provide us with more information to verify yourself, in the meantime we're freezing it.

Now I've had another email - they are holding my balance, I can't pay anything in or out and they are going to close my account (once they have reviewed if I owe them anything, and then my remaining balance will be available after they've spent 180 days review).

I actually have no idea why it has been done, and they won't disclose why but confident I have not done anything against their user agreement (a baby collection amongst colleagues, and selling a few things on ebay).

But, now I have an immediate problem. I have these items on ebay that I've got bids on but no way of receiving the money, as paypal account is limited, and don't believe you can receive the money any other way. Do I have to cancel the listings now? Can I even do that, they are due to finish tomorrow, and have bids on. Help!

You need to verify your account. I had to do this recently too.

Oh yes, it has been verified. This was different info they asked for (and i provided)-bank statement, photo ID, confirmed various transactions. But not good enough apparently, thet have decided to shut my account down!

But now I dont know what to do about my items sold/selling on ebay as I cannot receive the money through paypal and complete these. Any ideas?

Phone them. PayPal are usually quite helpful when you speak to an actual person.

Are you sure the e mails are from paypal? I had a few similar and it was scam mail.

When you call ask for "account limitations" and try to get more information. My account got limited last year as someone used my Paypal debit card to steal from my bank and there was quite a lot of hooha. I had to jump through a few hoops to get it opened again and as you say its very inconvenient if you have auctions running. I could still receive money in my account but could not transfer or spend it.

Is your PP account a new one that you opened just to sell on Ebay?

In the meantime it would probably be wise to end the auctions then you will not owe anyone any money.

I've had a few convincing looking emails meant to be from Paypal but it was scammers.

Good luck - Paypal do this occasionally and it seems there is no way out except to open a different PP account.

I've often wondered if the Banking Ombudsman would get involved with stuff like this, but probably not.

Your account is basically suspected of being involved in activity in breach of PP T&C's, or actual criminality, e.g. Money Laundering.

Do you send a lot of money to different Friends and Family through PP?
Receive payments from abroad?

As far as the auctions go, you may be able to edit the Paypal address in the listing to a valid one - either a new one belonging to you, or a friend's. NB If PP manage to link the new account to the old one, they'll close the new one too, so make sure you clear your browser cookies and don't link the same cards/bank accounts/phone number to it.