PayPal random account limitation

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Forums › Finance and wealth management › PayPal random account limitation

Geektastic

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#267942 18-Feb-2020 21:30

I have received a random email (which appears to be genuine) from Paypal telling me that they have decided to permanently limit my account.

I have quite literally no idea why this would be and they give no reason. I hardly use it except sometimes when ordering from overseas. Anyone else had this issue?

I tried to explore their Help pages and perhaps contact them but somehow they have actually managed to prevent my computer even accessing that. It just says

Access Denied

You don't have permission to access "http://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-remove-a-limitation-from-my-account-faq2189" on this server.
Reference #18.25d12e17.1582014600.14198eb

michaelmurfy

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#2423527 18-Feb-2020 21:35

The steps to remove a limitation from your account can be found in the Resolution Center under Steps to Remove Limitation.

The worrying thing is if you're getting an access denied on that link the reason why you're getting access denied...

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Geektastic

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#2423530 18-Feb-2020 21:40

I actually tried the link in your post and got this:

Access Denied

You don't have permission to access "http://www.paypal.com/disputes/" on this server.
Reference #18.25d12e17.1582015096.142ea5e

I checked my card accounts and the only two recent transactions were $212 to a stationery supplier in Australia and $79 as a deposit to a custom knife maker in Florida. Hardly the stuff of bans and limitation.

freitasm

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#2423551 18-Feb-2020 23:19

The knife maker could be a trigger.

Oblivian

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#2423552 18-Feb-2020 23:21

When they did that to me, it was because my email was flagged on a sold/blackmarket dbase as a potential threat - something had tried a few brute attacks against it

Assuming you are possibly IP/Cookie blocked (try it in an incognito tab) and can't see the reasons:

There are several reasons why your PayPal account may be limited. Here are some examples:

Unauthorized use

We may limit your PayPal account to protect you from potential losses and review any fraudulent activity if:

We believe someone accessed your PayPal account without your authorization
Your bank informs us that someone may have used your card/bank without your consent
Account limits

You reached your sending, receiving or withdrawal limits and haven't yet completed the steps to remove them.

Higher-risk activity

Examples include:

You received a higher number of claims and chargebacks than usual
You started selling a completely new type of product, such as much higher value items
Your sales volume rapidly increased, which is out of nature with your usual sales patterns
Inactive account

As an extra security measure, we may also limit your PayPal account if you haven’t used it much since you signed up. To restore access to your account, provide a Proof of Identity (such as copy of your driver's license, national ID card or passport). To upload it, click the notification on your Summary page and follow the instructions.

If your PayPal account is limited, go to your Resolution Center for more information on why the limitation was placed and how it can be removed. Once you complete all the required steps, we'll remove the limitation from your account.

Geektastic

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#2423555 19-Feb-2020 00:23

freitasm: The knife maker could be a trigger.

Really? It’s certainly neither illegal nor dubious to collect artisan craftsmanship. Not yet, anyway. Lord knows what they do if you pay for a gun using their service!

freitasm

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#2423592 19-Feb-2020 08:00

Yes, but who knows? They may be considered a "weapon", triggering a review. Some law enforcement in America is crazy - sell guns but go all crazy on knives.

Or could just be something else - they won't tell you because saying something could help people create a map of what actions triggers reviews.

I was limited once, but in the late 90s (I have an account since PayPal was first launched for use via email and Palm Pilots). I submitted passport and other information (via fax back then) and the limit was removed then.

MurrayM

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#2423594 19-Feb-2020 08:11

According to https://www.paypal.com/nz/smarthelp/article/what-types-of-weapons-and-knives-does-paypal-prohibit-faq1548

What types of weapons and knives does PayPal prohibit?

PayPal prohibits transactions for certain hand weapons or knives that may be illegal or restricted in some jurisdictions.

Weapons – PayPal generally prohibits transactions for these types of weapons:

Nunchaku.
Brass or other metal knuckles.
Leaded canes, staffs, crutches, or sticks.
Zip guns, shurikens or throwing stars.
Hand grenades or metal replica hand grenades.
Billyclubs or batons, sandclubs, sandbags, or slungshots (also known as saps or blackjacks).

For other hand weapons, sellers must ensure the weapon is lawful in both the buyer's and seller's jurisdiction before completing the sale.

Knives – PayPal generally prohibits transactions for switchblade knives and disguised knives. A switchblade is any knife resembling a pocketknife with a blade that can be released automatically or by use of a trigger. Other names for switchblades include spring-blade knives, snap-blade knives, gravity knives, and butterfly knives.

A disguised knife is a knife designed to look like a harmless item. Examples of disguised knives include belt buckle knives, cane swords, shobi-zue, lipstick case knives, air gauge knives, and writing pen knives.

Other Related Items – PayPal prohibits transactions for destructive devices and the sale of military equipment or supplies that violate laws or regulations in the buyer's or seller's jurisdiction.

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Geektastic

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#2423780 19-Feb-2020 09:49

Well it’s none of those, most of which would be illegal here anyway. It’s just a typical hunting knife and won’t be delivered for another 3 years at least due to the waiting list.

What I cannot work out is how tut resolve the matter when they have somehow denied me access to their entire site!

Brumfondl

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#2423889 19-Feb-2020 11:51

All of the links you are posting have http not https. Is this deliberate on your part?

Geektastic

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#2423899 19-Feb-2020 12:04

No.

richms

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#2423958 19-Feb-2020 12:36

paypal have hsts so I cant even see if those http links will load, but it should be https and the browser should refuse to access things over http to them. Would not suprise me if any http link to then was unauthorized

Richard rich.ms

freitasm

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#2423965 19-Feb-2020 12:47

HSTS means any connection will always be HTTPS, regardless of HTTP or HTTPS explicitly used in the hyperlink. It doesn't mean the browser will try HTTP first then 301 to HTTPS. In fact a domain in the HSTS list will always be connected to HTTPS first (and in case you use HTTP the browser will do a 307 Internal Redirect before attempting the connection).

Hyperlinks to Geekzone or PayPal will always connect to HTTPS first.

Geektastic

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#2424178 19-Feb-2020 18:34

So...I rang them up.

Eventually, I got through and they sorted it out in less than 5 minutes.

They were rather vague about the cause, murmuring about "the system" in response to my enquiry.

richms

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#2424289 19-Feb-2020 23:21

Rang paypal? Where did you get the number from? Seems phishy to me.

Richard rich.ms

Geektastic

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#2424297 20-Feb-2020 00:17

richms:

Rang paypal? Where did you get the number from? Seems phishy to me.

From their Help page, which I was able to access after contacting them via Twitter, as a result of which they advised me to bypass my router and use 4G to access the pages. That actually worked.

You then get a code which you enter when you ring them and they send a second code to your phone to verify again that it is you.

They then sent an email confirming that the limitation had been removed.

Why are you surprised that they have a phone number?!