Well, I woke up Sunday morning with an email from Paypal saying that my account had been frozen. I have no idea why and even after calling them, I still have no idea why. From what limited information they did provide, they think my email/paypal account is associated with some other email address or paypal account…which it is not. So after trolling a bunch of websites this morning, I am even more worried because apparently, they can just freeze your account…close it…not allow you to ever have one again. And in essence, end my ability to earn money. I haven’t done a single thing wrong. (I mean, sure, I have done things that are wrong in my 38 years, but concerning paypal and buying, selling, etc…I haven’t done anything wrong). The websites I read basically said that even if I just allowed someone to pay me, and they are a wrongdoer, paypal can still say I broke their terms and close my account. I read where if they think you violated their terms, they can go into your banking account and withdraw funds to reimburse your customers. …without consulting you first, depending upon the situation. (even if the customers have no problem or issue with you) SO my suggestion knowing this now is to never let money sit in your account…always withdraw or transfer it, just in case they decide to freeze your account…another suggestion I read about was to never give them your banking account info, to instead use a prepaid debit/credit card to verify your account. I am so irritated by the entire situation I cannot even see straight. Of course those suggestions are for the paranoid…and when once posed to me, I thought ‘who needs to do that?
It won’t happen to me…’
Well, that was yesterday…I hesitated posting anything then because I thought it would be resolved because, afterall, I did nothing wrong. Well, I got an email this morning and the appeal was denied. I am done. No paypal account for me. FOR LIFE. Yes, I said…FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Are you serious? Are you freakin’ kidding me?? Ten years of having and using this…my one and only paypal account..allowing paypal to take a percentage of my earnings for every transaction made…never having a single complaint by a customer…and they deny me even an explanation after all of that.
I called again and yes, that is it. They do not nor will they provide me any details as to why my account was closed….unless I provide a subpoena. And even then he (customer service) delightfully told me it would not change their decision. It is final.
My funds that were in there are frozen for 180 days…after that they will probably release them.
I have no idea what any of this means for my business… fortunately TPT sends checks and you can purchase using a debit or credit card…for online buying I can use google checkout or amazon checkout. For the time being, my Teachers Notebook store is closed.
For me, it is the point. I did nothing wrong…and yet I am being treated and punished as if I did …with no way of defending myself. I am horrified…and heartbroken…worried and irritated. I should have entitiled this post as “Why I Hate Paypal.”
and to make matters worse….
did I mention our heat has been out all weekend?? lol
Wow Jennifer! I am so so sorry! That is so unfair and unjust! I just can't believe you were treated like that! I certainly want to go look at Paypal's terms of use policies myself! You've certainly made me question the ethics of Paypal. Again, I'm so sorry. Wish I could help! I hope you have heat soon! 🙂
Kideducator@comcast.net
I cannot believe this! That is awful! I know that paypal has a hold on my account and the money has to sit for a little bit of time before I can have it. (I think that is because they are seeing people give me money & I don't send them anything because it's all done electronically through the other websites!)
I'm so sorry to hear that they wouldn't even let you provide an explanation. That would be the most frustrating part to me!
Thank you for sharing this with all of us though! You have definitely made me want to check the t.o.u. of paypal!!
Erin
Creating & Teaching
Holy Smokes!
I have never heard of such a thing! I'm sure they probably laid this all out in their terms, but who reads or can understand all of that?! Wow. I am so incredibly sorry that this has happened to you. It's always the nice people :/
Thanks for the warning and I hope by some miracle they reverse their decision (although at this point, if I were you, I wouldn't ever want to use them again!)
Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade
oh GIRL! 🙁 I am SOOOO sorry. that freakin' sucks. no other way to put it. Booo!
I am so sorry to hear that! My heart truly goes out to you. It seems that they would at least give you a justification as to why they have frozen your account
Oh Jennifer, I am so sorry! It sounds really unfair and just wrong! I have had issues with Pay Pal and still do -the main reason I have not put anything in my TpT store! For years i had account with my old name -when I remarried 5 years ago -they would not let me use the same account. I offered to provide marriage license… but no! They wanted me to change my credit card account, number… After awhile I just quit using them!! Hope it all works out for you – if not we all need to write letters and just refuse to use them!! Hope your day gets better! 🙂
My Kindergarten Kids
The good person always loses out somewhere, don't they!? I hate that! I'm glad you were able to vent to people who understand!
Here's to a better week… 🙂
Mary Beth
Run Teacher, Run
Oh my God, this is terrible! I can't believe it 🙁 I'm sorry!
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Oh no! What a horrible weekend 🙁 I am truly so sorry that you would be treated that way by PayPal. They are gonna lose a lot of business from teachers who are going to drop them now. I can't believe they can even get away with giving you no explanation, that just seems ridiculous to me!!! I hope that it is somehow worked 🙂 Please let me know if you need anything 🙂 Sending you a HUGE hug 🙂
Lisa 🙂
So sorry to hear about you sad news…..very frustrating I bet!
I am so sorry this happened to you AND I can't believe Paypal can do that to someone!
Ms. McBee’s Kinderbugs
That stinks. I am sorry. Paypal had better get their act together or they are going to lose a lot of business.
Life with Mrs. L
Sending one GIANT hug your way! 🙂
Kelly
Beg, Borrow, Steal
That sucks! What a pain in the rear. I am so sorry that's happening to you…how crazy! Keep your head up!
Bonnie
Living A Wonderful Life
YIKES! And I just used Paypal to pay you when I purchased on Teacher's Notebook last week! (LOVE your label mats, btw!)
My hubby uses Paypal for his business, too. I'll direct him to your post…I am really sorry this has happened to you. {{}}
ReadWriteSing
Oh, my gosh! I am so sorry this is happening to you! And you're right! You never think about the weird stuff happening to you! Technology is wonderful and horrible! Sending prayers to you!
Laura
Peace, Love and First Grade
Oh my word. That sucks! I am so sorry. I'm sure you wanted to throw your phone across the room while you were talking to the customer service rep.
I tried to get a PayPal account a while back and they wouldn't let me because my husband had already opened an account. Apparently, they only allow one account per bank account (my husband and I, of course, share the same account.) So, if I purchase anything through PayPal, it has to be under his name. It is such a pain in the butt.
What jerks!
oh my gosh Jeniffer! I am so sorry you are having to deal with all of the that! I am sure it is beyond frustrating. 🙁
I hope it gets better! We love you and love all of your cute work. You are so talented. Try to keep smiling. .
Lory
Oh. MY. GOsh!!!! WHAT?!?! I don't even know how to respond. I am seriously sitting here awe-struck! And I told my husband who is sitting here with me and he stopped mid chew because he was so baffled by what I told him – the rest of your life?!?!!
And I thought my google-account freezing that happened was bad! Wow!!! This affects so much that you do on the internet too!!! How can this be?? I'm so horrified and mad for you!!! I'm so sorry!!!
♥ Jen
The Teachers' Cauldron
That just doesn't sound right…they should at least give some details as to WHY! How frustrating for you 🙁 I don't get it!!!
Anita
Mrs. Bremer’s Kindergarten
I'm soo sorry to hear about this. It actually makes me hate Paypal for you. I pray something turns up and they can fix the awful mistake they made. Maybe they'll credit your account some $ for pain and suffering. Girl, I'd sooo get a lawyer! Hang in there….you rock!
Erin
Eberhart’s Explorers
I know Lisa already commented… But I'm so upset for you that I couldn't resist! It is totally unbelievable that PayPal would run their accounts that way! You have money in there that you can not access for no known reason — most likely because of something another user had done! I am done with PayPal! That is so upsetting!
Hopefully something comes from this!
Beth
Sorry that you had to go through all of that!!! I hope that this all works out for you! Big Hugs!!
Leslie
http://www.firstgradefrenzy.com
Unbelievable! So sorry you are going through all of this. I can't believe PayPal is being so unreasonable. They should at least tell you what is going on. You have such great stuff. I'd hate to see you have to stop selling because of this. Hang in there. Hopefully, things will get resolved.
Petersons-Pad
That is really stinky!! 🙁 I can't believe that they won't even tell you why!! Ridiculous!!! Sorry!
❤ Sandra
Sweet Times in First
sweettimesinfirst@gmail.com
I am still reeling over that…I read your post awhile ago and I still have a tummy ache. I am so sorry it happened to you. 🙁
This is absolutely horrifying!!! I cannot believe it! I'm heading over to my Paypal account right now and emptying it!!! PLEASE let us know if you get this all figured out. It's just sickening!! Best of luck to you. {Sorry for all the exclamations points. I'm not yelling at you, I'm yelling at Paypal!}
Jodi
I am so very sorry.
That is awful! I am so sorry that happened to you. I can only imagine how "helpful" the customer service was. I have heard that paypal is good until there is a problem. I feel for ya sister!
-Ms. Thomas
The First Grade Jungle
Wow, that is super frustrating. I had no idea they could do that. So wrong. Keep your chin up! Good things happen to good people, so something good is coming your way. Hopefully soon.
I have never heard of such a thing! So sorry this happened to you!
So sorry to hear about this! I can only imagine how frustrating it is. It's crazy that they won't even give you an explanation. That's totally unfair. This isn't the first time I've heard something crazy about PayPal. I know someone whose account was shut down because of a crazy reason and anytime they tried to create another account (over a period of 10+ years) it quickly got cancelled! Seriously, they must have super strict workers who take their rules so seriously! Anyway, they ended up getting a different account but had to use a different name/address (there can't be any link whatsoever to your previous account/info or they'll shut you down in a heartbeat), but I know it was a big hassle. In the past year they just finally got an account with their own name, but I'm not sure exactly how. Crazy, crazy stuff. Sorry I can't offer any advice, but I hope something works out for you! 🙂
Kayla
Primary Junction
Wow, Jennifer! I can't believe it! I just heard of someone else who had their account hacked into and had $750 stolen! I hope you get your money asap!!
Abby
WOW! That's too bad. I really feel for you. I'm so sorry this has happened to you.
❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
And NO heat?!? Yikes! How cold does an Alabama winter get?
What the hell?! Did you ask to speak to supervisors? And then their supervisors? Etc? I would raise holy hell. Then I would totally contact Teachers Notebook and tell them that you have this issue. They are so nice I'm sure they will figure out an alternative to PayPal for you and others. That is CRAP. Could you open a PayPal account in your husbands name? Just a thought.
Rowdy in First Grade
WHAT?! Insane!
Doing business in this manner makes absolutely NO SENSE. This can only lead to NO ONE using PayPal. It doesn't make sense for anyone to use them if they can up and HOLD your money and CLOSE your account for any reason they deem necessary.
Oh My Gosh.. I don't know what else to say.
This is crazy.
I'm so sorry.
♥ Dragonflies in First ♥
My boyfriend has had troubles with them. He opened up an account years and years ago, and quit using it. He called to try to get into the account, because he can't remember the password & most have not answered the stupid questions correctly on the password reset thing. Well, they will do NOTHING for him. NOTHING. Also can't get different account due to the other one being tied to his account, or will they close that account. Yet they'll close yours, with no reason why? ARG! **Hugs to you**
This is so WRONG!! Now I am scared! I know this issue will be resovled…I am praying!! I am so, so sorry! I am speechless!
Sorry for your sitch : ( Good information to know however… knowledge is power… consider me warned and I won't be doing business with Paypal.
Kat
WHAT?!?! That is just wrong! I am soooo sorry! Does Teachers Notebook have anything to say about it?
Christie 🙂
First Grade Fever
Hmmm, that is C.R.A.Z.Y.!!!!
Don't use PayPal – now I'm glad {not that I had any idea it could be this bad}.
What is so awful is that they are so whatever about it, as if you are guilty first and eventually they'll unfreeze your account?!?!
So sorry – I hope you got to enjoy an adult beverage tonight!
I am so sorry you are having such horrible time. It is frustrating to have no control over it. Hope things get better for you in the days to come.
🙂 Tamera
That is SO horrible! I feel so bad that you have to go through this. Thank you for the tips though. Let me know if there is anything of mine that you would like and it is yours (for free of course!). You are an amazing supporter of everyone's blogs. Anything I can do to turn your luck around, let me know. Seriously, email me your 3 top things that you would like (if there isn't anything you'd like, I won't be offended:) )
I love your creations and will be sure to keep checking your TPT.
Sarah
Sarah's First Grade Snippets
That totally sucks Jennifer! I am so sorry that happened to you! I can't believe that Paypal would have that kind of policy where they can just cancel your account without even explaining why!
(((((HUGS)))))
Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
What the heck?!!! I am SO SORRY!! And your heat out, too! You poor thing. I would totally call the news. We have something called Channel 7 on Your Side around here where they investigate on your behalf. Do you have something like that? I just cashed out. Thanks for the heads up. I hope somehow you get a satisfactory resolution. I wish I could do something to help.
Jenn
Finally in First
Wow, this is scary. They make it so you have no control over your account with them. It just seems wrong. I know everyone else already said this but I can't believe they can do this without giving a reason.
Wish there was more we could all do.
Wow, I have never heard anything like that before! I just opened my TPT store and it makes me wonder what other aveneus I can take. So sorry that you are going through this.
Barbara
happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh! That is SO WRONG! I can't believe that they didn't even give you a reason!
And denied for life?! That seems quite extreme, especially since they won't give you a reason WHY!
I'm so sorry and I hope that your heat issues are fixed quickly!
I hope today is better.
-Megan
First Grade Magic
Wow, I can't believe this! I am glad I read this and will think twice about using Paypal now for sure. I hope everything will work itself out!!!
Caitlin
Kindergarten Smiles
That is terrible! Jenn has a good idea about getting a news station involved. Maybe PayPal would think twice about their policies if more people knew how unfair they were. It certainly makes me think twice about using them in the future. Hang in there.
Wow! Please know that I will still buy from you regardless of how I have to pay. PayPal has such a corner of the online market. I do hope it gets resolved.
Booooo! So sorry that happened. 🙁 Maybe they will come to their senses soon. Thanks for letting the rest of know and be aware – that is truly appreciated!
Charity
The Organized Classroom Blog
That is so terrible! There must be a way to fix this?!!!!
Oh Jennifer!! I can't get over this, I am so sorry to read this (and so very sorry I am behind in reading your blog!). I didn't know this could happen…you poor thing!!
Kristen
Oh no! That is awful! I can't believe they would do something like that! That is so frustrating…hope you can get some answers!
Natalie
Teachery Tidbits
Wow- I've just read this and am freaked out! I am so sorry and should probably follow your advice about transferring the funds out of there!
Christina
Mrs. Bainbridge's Class
I read your current post, and had to go back a ways to find your issues with pay pal (I'm a fairly new follower!) Anyways, I'm glad I read your post, because I had been toying with the idea of TPT and Pay Pal. I didn't feel right about the way they wanted me to do things, and now I'm glad I haven't done anything. I'm sorry for your situation, but thanks for sharing though!
susieqsclass@gmail.com
learningwithsusieq.blogspot.com