PayPal Payment Reversed??

[brucets 94]

Two days ago I tried to buy 6 Latin VFR and 1DD airports using my PayPal account. That acct uses my Visa Card which does not carry a balance month to month. I immediately got an e-mail from PayPal with this message:

"We’ve placed a temporary pending status on this transaction.

To comply with government regulations, PayPal is required to review certain transactions. The payment you sent is currently being reviewed and we will complete this process within 72 hours. This review only involves this transaction and does not affect the use of your PayPal account."

Two days later I got this message:

"We have completed our review of this transaction.

Unfortunately, we are not able to complete this particular transaction. This reversal is specific to this transaction and does not affect the use of your PayPal account. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

That's it -- no reason given!?? Anyone else ever experience this??

Btw, I live in PHX.

Bruce

[JRBarrett 3,038]

Which store did you try to buy from?

[brucets 94]

Jim -

The online store. They have already replied to my ticket a few minutes ago and said no problems on their end and I should start a new purchase/order.

My concern is the PayPal action, which total nonsense! I'd like to know just what "government regulation" they are referring to????

Bruce

[Christopher Low 5,332]

Have you tried to contact PayPal?

[JRBarrett 3,038]

Was it simmarket? That should not be an issue normally. I googled the opening phrase in the PayPal message, and it brought up many different posts by people who have encountered this problem over the years.

One thing that can trigger it is if the selling vendor is under investigation for fraudulent activities. Very sure this would not apply to Simmarket or other well-known flight sim vendors.

Another thing that could trigger it would be if the product description contains any word that sets off a computer security algorithm. Based on other reports I read on Google, I’m sad to say that any Arabic word, Arabic personal name or any reference to a place-name in the Middle East could do it, as could any reference to a word that relates directly or indirectly to any kind of weapon.

[brucets 94]

I just now got a *refund* notice on my PayPal account. Back to square one. I'm very tempted to cancel my PayPal account though. This is just outrageous! I've spent hours on this! 

Bruce

[brucets 94]

Yes, Jim, it was Simmarket. Sorry I didn't specify. And yes I googled the problem and saw the same posts you did.

Bruce

Edited August 25, 2018 by brucets

[vc10man 732]

I sympathise with you, Bruce, as i too had a crap standard of service from PayPal.

While checking my account, I was alarmed to see Chinese writing on a purchase for $85. As I mistrust anything emanating from China or with Chinese banner adverts, I immediately contacted PayPal. All credit to them, they did say they'd investigate and opened a Case. But as their communications is either behind time or abysmal to say the least, I decided to do some researching myself

And it was my error as the payment for $85 was to Real Flight Shop for three recently sale Aerosoft stuff. So, I immediately contacted PayPal to inform them to cancel the investigation as it was all sorted now.

Guess what? A clear case of PayPal's left-hand has not an inkling what its right is doing, so I am not all that astonished reading your experiences with them.

[JRBarrett 3,038]

Only thing I can suggest is to pay simmarket via your credit card directly, rather than using PayPal.

Apparently the algorithm that flags certain transactions at PayPal is automatic. They have 72 hours to have an actual person review the transaction. If nobody gets to it in that time frame, it automatically cancels.

[brucets 94]

Yep, gonna cancel my PayPal account.

Thanks, Gents! 

Btw, very impressive credentials there, Jim!   (I can just barely change the oil in my motorcycles!) 😁

Bruce

[mwilk 1,106]

I ran into the same issue trying to buy off of the FSDT website. I was purchasing KIAH. George Bush International. Something in the software triggered the same response. I had to pay with a credit card. I never did get a reasonable answer from PayPal.

[brucets 94]

Surely they have lost customers over this.

Bruce

[srcooke 52]

Bruce, the same situation can occur with any of the other card handlers.

[brucets 94]

Stephen 

I'll just use the actual CC # from now on.

Bruce

[Captain Kevin 586]

3 hours ago, mwilk said:

I ran into the same issue trying to buy off of the FSDT website. I was purchasing KIAH. George Bush International. Something in the software triggered the same response. I had to pay with a credit card. I never did get a reasonable answer from PayPal.

This has been a known issue with PayPal. Apparently the mention of George Bush triggers it. FSDreamteam is aware of it, but it doesn't look like there's much they can do about it.