Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief in Community Help Boards in Community

Last Post Nov 5, 2009 8:25 AM by: welovemoneyorders2

Replies: 27

Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 2, 2009 8:40 PM

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From:
Link
Many interesting Paypal stories in this thread.

I bought a MacBook Pro on Oct 19 on EBay. I got it for what seemed like about the going rate for Macbooks, and from a seller who had sold 60 items with nearly a 100% rating. The ad claimed the laptop had been her personal computer for a year.

The laptop arrived on the 23rd, and I was suspicious from the moment I opened it. It was still on, photoshop was running, there was a DVD in the drive, and the name on the user account didn't match the name of the ebay seller. I called apple, and they confirmed it was stolen based on the serial number.

I googled the name on the user account, and got in contact with the owner. The laptop had been stolen out of his car on Oct 6. I filed a dispute with PayPal. The seller immediately offered me a $100 dollar rebate, which I declined. Then on Sunday, Oct 25th, PayPal approved my dispute, but said I needed to mail the laptop back to the thief within 10 days to get my refund. And they've ignored all my emails since.

The owner of the laptop has been in touch with the police, but it took the detective a week to actually meet with him, today. And the detective won't contact PayPal or Ebay, saying he prefers to contact the woman directly.

So now I don't know what to do. I have to send the laptop back tomorrow to get my money back. But I don't want to give it back to the thief. I think I should turn it over to the police and get my money back. Has anyone dealt with PayPal like this before?

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Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 2, 2009 8:49 PM

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The dispute/claim process is pretty much automated; I'd try phoning paypal.

Good luck...

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 2, 2009 8:54 PM

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What legal evidence has Paypal been provided that proves the laptop was stolen? They would need documentation, from the police and perhaps even a court order not just your word on this.

At this point, without the help of the police, you need to return the laptop from where you got it. If you want to be a good citizen, ship it via UPS or FedEx with tracking. The day it goes out for delivery to the thief call the owner and/or police department so they can seize the laptop AFTER it's been delivered.

Assumming this transaction was over $250 you need online signature proof of delivery from somebody at the seller's address to get your money back.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 2, 2009 9:06 PM

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"I think I should turn it over to the police and get my money back."

So give it to the police and see if they will give your money back. If you want PayPal to refund your money you will need to comply with their policy. PayPal's job is not to recover possibly stolen property, their job is to facilitate selling on the net. If you feel so strongly about it, give it to the police and sue the seller. You are welcome to risk your money but not to risk PayPal's money.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 8:00 AM

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Whoaaaaaaa !!!!

beware of dispensers of legal advice !!
You have been Given some HORRIBLE advice here

First: according to your best information, you are now in possession of stolen property .

BEFORE you send this back to the seller you need TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT YOU COULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR

Sending an item you know to be stolen back to the thief couldmean you are legally culpable.

You need to talk to the detective you contacted and find out exactly what the law is and what you should do . What are you going to say if the detective contacts you and asks for the laptop ? that you returned it to the alleged thief because paypal told you to?

Unfortunately by doing the right thing there is a chance you will loose the laptop and the money, but you cannot now unring the bell . the owner knows you are in possesion of the (allegedly) stolen laptop

Be a bit more descriptive when you talk with the investigating officer, Clearly explain that your payment provder requires a police report for you rto be re-imbursed, if he still refuses, try to move up the chain of command

call paypal as well save all your contact information and keep a careful record of all your conversations

Sorry for your situation

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 9:12 AM

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The last seller has it right, you could get into legal trouble by mailing it back.

Say you buy a car and go to the BMV to register it and they see that it is stolen, you know what happens?? The car is impounded and you are OUT the $$$ you paid for it.

The only way to get your money back is to go to court (file a civil suit against the person you bought it from). And if you win, then you have to find a way to get the money from them. Good luck, it took me years to collect a settlement for $300 once.

I think the same thing applies to your case with the computer.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 9:30 AM

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Keep the laptop and let the investigation run it's course. Paypal will have to reimburse, at some point, if they let the buyer keep the money. If you paid by CC, you can file a chargeback later. Did you ? A simple call by a detective, might get an immediate refund.

Good luck.

Hey da dog.....if Paypal muffs this, 10-1 they have to eat it later.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 10:12 AM

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mycatissmarterthanurcat wrote:

From:
Link
Many interesting Paypal stories in this thread.

I bought a MacBook Pro on Oct 19 on EBay. I got it for what seemed like about the going rate for Macbooks, and from a seller who had sold 60 items with nearly a 100% rating. The ad claimed the laptop had been her personal computer for a year.

The laptop arrived on the 23rd, and I was suspicious from the moment I opened it. It was still on, photoshop was running, there was a DVD in the drive, and the name on the user account didn't match the name of the ebay seller. I called apple, and they confirmed it was stolen based on the serial number.

I googled the name on the user account, and got in contact with the owner. The laptop had been stolen out of his car on Oct 6. I filed a dispute with PayPal. The seller immediately offered me a $100 dollar rebate, which I declined. Then on Sunday, Oct 25th, PayPal approved my dispute, but said I needed to mail the laptop back to the thief within 10 days to get my refund. And they've ignored all my emails since.

The owner of the laptop has been in touch with the police, but it took the detective a week to actually meet with him, today. And the detective won't contact PayPal or Ebay, saying he prefers to contact the woman directly.

So now I don't know what to do. I have to send the laptop back tomorrow to get my money back. But I don't want to give it back to the thief. I think I should turn it over to the police and get my money back. Has anyone dealt with PayPal like this before?

Mycatissmarterthanurcat, contact your local police department or the state police for advice on this.

Wisdom means you’ve learnt something the hard way.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 2:14 PM

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Did you apy by CC? do a chargeback and hold onto the laptop until the police let you know what to do.

If you didn't pay via CC, contact Paypal and ask for a supervisor. give them the information that you can not legally transport stolen goods and ask them to extend the timeframe - see what they say.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 4:55 PM

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missouri_treasure wrote:

mycatissmarterthanurcat wrote:

From:
Link
Many interesting Paypal stories in this thread.

I bought a MacBook Pro on Oct 19 on EBay. I got it for what seemed like about the going rate for Macbooks, and from a seller who had sold 60 items with nearly a 100% rating. The ad claimed the laptop had been her personal computer for a year.

The laptop arrived on the 23rd, and I was suspicious from the moment I opened it. It was still on, photoshop was running, there was a DVD in the drive, and the name on the user account didn't match the name of the ebay seller. I called apple, and they confirmed it was stolen based on the serial number.

I googled the name on the user account, and got in contact with the owner. The laptop had been stolen out of his car on Oct 6. I filed a dispute with PayPal. The seller immediately offered me a $100 dollar rebate, which I declined. Then on Sunday, Oct 25th, PayPal approved my dispute, but said I needed to mail the laptop back to the thief within 10 days to get my refund. And they've ignored all my emails since.

The owner of the laptop has been in touch with the police, but it took the detective a week to actually meet with him, today. And the detective won't contact PayPal or Ebay, saying he prefers to contact the woman directly.

So now I don't know what to do. I have to send the laptop back tomorrow to get my money back. But I don't want to give it back to the thief. I think I should turn it over to the police and get my money back. Has anyone dealt with PayPal like this before?

Mycatissmarterthanurcat, contact your local police department or the state police for advice on this.

alos make the police aware that Ebay & PayPal profited from the transaction and their funds are forefeit also under current criminal laws & statutes.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 5:45 PM

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alos make the police aware that Ebay & PayPal profited from the transaction and their funds are forefeit also under current criminal laws & statutes.

When the buyer files the chargeback, Paypals fees are also refunded to the buyer.

Also all the oP had to do was contact his local PD and they could have checked to see if it was stolen. If it was they would have given OP a case number, taken it into evidence and given the OP a copy of the receipt.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 6:55 PM

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Incorrect, data. Paypal keeps the fees 2.9% + 30 cents & Ebay keeps the FVF & listing fee. Let's get it straight, OK? Paypal profits from user fraud. If a seller loses a claim, they possibly lose the item & all the fees that ebay keeps!

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 6:56 PM

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Ro original poster, I suggest contacting a local media outlet troubleshooter, or CNN's ombudsman. They love stories like this & will get your money back. I'd also talk to your own local police about this.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 8:26 PM

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jancavalieri wrote:

What legal evidence has Paypal been provided that proves the laptop was stolen? They would need documentation, from the police and perhaps even a court order not just your word on this.

At this point, without the help of the police, you need to return the laptop from where you got it. If you want to be a good citizen, ship it via UPS or FedEx with tracking. The day it goes out for delivery to the thief call the owner and/or police department so they can seize the laptop AFTER it's been delivered.

Assumming this transaction was over $250 you need online signature proof of delivery from somebody at the seller's address to get your money back.

I agree return it you are not the police you have not been contacted by the police to send the laptop to them you have been instructed by paypal to send it back to the seller. It is time to follow directions.

Re: Help! PayPal wants me to give a stolen laptop to the thief

Nov 3, 2009 8:53 PM

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If the OP gets a police report PayPal will probably accept that and have him turn it over to the police instead of returning it. OP should call PayPal.

______________________
'Tis the season to be wary
KKC #400

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