So basically, 54 days ago I was able to deposit money to a gambling website through my PayPal account (via a direct debit) although the money was never in my bank account. The Debt went back and forward between my bank and with PayPal, it has now settled with PayPal, and been passed on to a debt collection agency and I am paying it back in monthly repayments..
Now, obviously I take full responsibility for being so stupid and depositing such a large amount I was never able to afford, thousands and thousands, and I am now paying for it and will be for years. It led me to suicidal thoughts and horrific mood swings and depression, but things are slowly getting better and I'm trying to plan things to look forward to with the little money I do have.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has been through this same specific problem?
I think it's terrible that vulnerable people are able to deposit money that they don't have and they have no credit arrangements set up with PayPal or the bank. I don't think it should be allowed for someone to blow through months worth of wages in a matter of hours? Surely something should flag up with the bank saying something isn't right?
54 days GF and still as determined as ever to beat this horrific disgusting addiction!!!
I have been in a very similar position to you. I have cancelled my bank cards, however... was able to deposit via Paypal.., £xx!! I did have money in my account. I have asked Paypal many many times if they would limit my account but they do not have that facility apparently!! I would close my account but again opening another would be no problem ! I was lucky i got that £xx back today as the company is registered with Gamstop and my details should have been covered with them. If more people complained with Paypal they could limit people’s accounts to say £xxx per transaction- I would not gamble then
I don’t think your alone in this PayPal issue. I’ve done the same where I used PayPal and with it being a delayed process it didn’t delay the payment. I had the funds in my account and moved it to the account ready for the direct debit to go through.
I addressed it with PayPal and asked if they could block gambling sites however they said they don’t need have that capability. Not much help to be honest.
CJ.
Yes I agree they told me the same that they couldn’t block gambling sites . Maybe there should be a link to the bank to make sure that there is enough money in there to pay
I am currently going through this myself I owe thousands to PayPal I am so scared and on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
I am currently going through this myself I owe thousands to PayPal I am so scared and on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
LittleL1234 you need to speak to someone like payplan or stepchange. They will help you with sorting your finances out and getting you back on track.
In relation to your gambling addiction. You need Gamstop which will stop you in your tracks if you want it to.
CJ.
Thank you I will follow that up my main concern is if PayPal take any legal action with me owing the money to them and gambling it with out having the money to pay it back
Hi LittleL,
Maybe speak to PayPal on their online chat and advise them of your situation. At least it will give you an answer whether negative or positive but you can then put your mind at rest.
As far as I am aware they will sell the debt you owe on and you can come to some form of arrangement either with them or a third party.
CJ.
Thank you I’m just scared I go to jail then I won’t be able to pay them back , hopefully they will come to an agreement
Hi JG21 & LittleL, to put your mind at ease, PayPal are based in Luxembourg and don't have any jurisdiction to issue claims or do court in the UK. To date, PayPal have NEVER taken a claimant to court or issued proceedings for a negative balance. EVER.
What they WILL do is send you lots of scary letters from various Debt Collection Agencies threatening court and all sorts, but it is toothless threats to scare you into paying something. If you read these letters carefully they all say "We MAY, We COULD, We MIGHT" - NOT "WE WILL, WE ARE GOING TO" etc. However, a Debt Collection Agency has no more legal power to do anything than you or I, and UNLESS you get a "Letter before Claim" PAP (Pre-Action Protocol) letter directly from Paypal (which no-one ever has to date) then it's safe to ignore.
There are lots of well-known PayPal scams involving selling mobile phones then claiming back the money, etc. PayPal write all this off as a pre-tax loss.
So, whilst you have clearly made a terrible error of judgement, I don't believe you did it maliciously or with the intent to defraud, so it's important to know that if you sit on your hands and do nothing (usually the worst course of action with debt, but in this case I sincerely believe it is the correct thing to do), after a few months of scary letters, it will go away. Obviously block their phone calls and emails. You need a paper trail going forward. Write to them saying "All further communication in Writing ONLY".
Please note, I am not a legal professional, so feel free to take or leave my advice! But please google "Consumer Action Group" forum and do a search for the hundreds of threads on "Paypal debt" - you will see my opinion is backed up by hundreds of other (far more knowledgeable) people!
So make a cup of tea, stop worrying, and enjoy your Sunday. If you have a hamster then enjoy using the Paypal threat letters as free bedding!
Best wishes,
Max
Thanks much appreciate the advice I didn’t do it with any intent to defraud it just kept letting me deposit and deposit I’m just hoping and praying they don’t take any criminal action.
LittleL1234 wrote:
Thanks much appreciate the advice I didn’t do it with any intent to defraud it just kept letting me deposit and deposit I’m just hoping and praying they don’t take any criminal action.
I don't really know what more I can say to put your mind at rest, except that PayPal don't and won't, (possibly even can't). issue proceedings against you, so don't sweat the small stuff.
Police won't be knocking on your door to haul your a*s off to jail screaming for a minor paypal debt! We haven't had debtor's prisons since Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, so please, PLEASE stop worrying.
Use this fear, this horrible grinding feeling of anxiety in the stomach, this internal washing machine of fear to remind you the next time you want to go batsh*t crazy betting - don't do it! But nothing more will happen on this paypal debt other than to remind you why you don't want to bet anymore.
Max
*edit to say - GAMCARE moderators - is '' really such a 'naughty word' you had to asterisk it out in my original post? Wow! Ha! Over 18's lose thousands, lose their families, their homes, their self-worth, sometimes think about killing themselves yet find the strength to come on here and speak their truth, but you are worried about someone reading these posts being offended by the word " " Really? I mean, REALLY?! Wow! lol Could you please private message me Gamcare Admin about who you think will be pearl clutching about this word having read some of the true horror stories on here. Thanks.
Thank you so much put my mind at ease, I agree with previous posts that how is it possible to keep depositing when you don’t have that in your bank esp the large amounts when your going from maybe depositing on average couple hundred a week to over 10 k in a few hours.
It's possible because, with respect you are thinking in the hundreds. Paypal is thinking in the BILLIONS.
People like you and me don't really figure in it.
Best wishes,
Max
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