JudyS
TUG Member
A few days ago, I posted about a PayPal problem. PayPal had an outdated email address as the "Customer Service" address on my account, and was providing that email to my customers, even though the outdated email address didn't show in my Profile. That thread is here: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188696
I was eventually able to get that problem fixed, but in order to update my account, I had to provide a lot of details about my business. I filled out the information truthfully, giving "Travel" as my category of business and "Timeshares" as the subcategory.
Well, I just got a phone call from PayPal, asking a lot more questions about my business. When I explained that I was renting timeshares, the PayPal guy said that was OK, however, selling timeshares or real estate through PayPal was not permitted.
After the phone conversation, I got the following warning notice in my email, from "PayPal Compliance":
As per our telephone conversation of today, please be advised that using PayPal to accept payments for real property, including raffles/lotteries, reverse auctions, and timeshare sales violates our Acceptable Use Policy.
I don't know why PayPal felt they had to send me a warning after I already told them I wasn't selling timeshares. Also, I don't know why PayPal thought I might be selling timeshares, as I said my business was in the "Travel" category and that implies a vacation rental. Timeshare sales would fall under the category of real estate.
As far as I can tell, my PayPal account is still usable and not blocked.
If you rent out timeshares and accept money via PayPal, I would not use the word "timeshares" at all when describing your business to PayPal. I suggest selecting the category "lodging and accomodations" instead.
I was eventually able to get that problem fixed, but in order to update my account, I had to provide a lot of details about my business. I filled out the information truthfully, giving "Travel" as my category of business and "Timeshares" as the subcategory.
Well, I just got a phone call from PayPal, asking a lot more questions about my business. When I explained that I was renting timeshares, the PayPal guy said that was OK, however, selling timeshares or real estate through PayPal was not permitted.
After the phone conversation, I got the following warning notice in my email, from "PayPal Compliance":
As per our telephone conversation of today, please be advised that using PayPal to accept payments for real property, including raffles/lotteries, reverse auctions, and timeshare sales violates our Acceptable Use Policy.
I don't know why PayPal felt they had to send me a warning after I already told them I wasn't selling timeshares. Also, I don't know why PayPal thought I might be selling timeshares, as I said my business was in the "Travel" category and that implies a vacation rental. Timeshare sales would fall under the category of real estate.
As far as I can tell, my PayPal account is still usable and not blocked.
If you rent out timeshares and accept money via PayPal, I would not use the word "timeshares" at all when describing your business to PayPal. I suggest selecting the category "lodging and accomodations" instead.
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