So, there I was in France making a transfer of money. I then received an email from PayPal as my location and the amount were unusual. Okay, fair enough. However, they demanded that I log in, change my details and confirm that I was who I was. Irritating though this was, I went along with it. Several days later, on attempting to complete an eBay purchase, I discover that my account is still blocked as there was a third thing they wanted to do – phone me on my land-line. This morning they have confirmed that my account is no longer frozen, which is nice of them.
I have two problems with what happened. Firstly, the suspicious payment went through without a hitch – so the door was bolted after the horse had escaped, jumped a few fences and was drinking from a trough in the next town. Secondly, I was unable to do anything with the account for four days. Yes, sure, we need security. However, when that security serves only itself and actively inconveniences the customer, then they have got it seriously wrong.
A few weeks back I made a large payment from my Barclays account. Before authorising it, Barclays texted me asking if it was okay. I confirmed it was and everything went through. So, if Barclays can have an effective system that is resolved in a couple of minutes, why can’t PayPal?
Frankly, I’ll do all that I can to avoid making or receiving payments from an organisation that uses over the top methods to inconvenience me and massively overcharges for receiving payments.
Farcebox, too. My son’s business page was locked by them because of an access attempt from an unusual source or somesuch. They want to see documents they have never seen before to reopen it to us. I queried how these would prove anything but they are much too busy cocking things up to reply so it stays shut.
Yep … all true. PayPal did the same to me. They KNOW you are in another country YET they want to ring your landline! We never leave any money in PayPal, we immediately transfer it to bank account. Started using Transferwise for International transfers/payments … worth a look as the rates are far superior.
PayPal are shit … in dire need of competition!
Yep, I’m having trouble with PayPal too. Seriously thinking out what to do.
eBay is the real problem here as PayPal is the default. Outside of that, there are plenty of alternatives and I’ll use them whenever I can.