Paypal Disputed Charges

[Mini-Spir]

Just want to make everyone on here aware of ...

Cody Gagon
Forest, Virginia

madwolf2k2@....

He just disputed a $73 charge w/ Paypal for items sold to him in GS.

Also, has anyone dealt with this before? This is the first issue I've ever had when dealing with GS sales and I would like any advise/info you may be able to provide.

I have emailed this person and if no response is given I will contact the authorities.



[Edited on 12-29-2004 by Mini-Spir]

[Iqxero]

I don't know for sure, but I've seen "this" adding rules to some purchases for other games. Example: Alot (some) SWG jedi accounts and such will not give you the information until they have had the money for 72 hours.

I understand it that you have 72 hours to complain to paypal and they will give you your money back. And if you already gave them the account/item/etc. Simutronics won't support that you transfered it already, so your SOL since it's your word against theirs.

Personal milage may vary.

[GSTamral]

Give him a call and find out what the problem is.



[Edited on 29-12-04 by Miss X]

[Soulpieced]

Ouch, talk about messy. Hope you've got backup for your story.

[Tsa`ah]

Not enough info.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Might not like having his name and phone number posted on a message board though.

[Sean]

Yea I think that might be better information to be passed in u2u or privately if it needs to be passed.

[Mini-Spir]

Originally posted by GSTamral
Give him a call and find out what the problem is.

I called and left a message.

And if he doesn't like his Name and # posted on the boards he shouldn't commit fraud.

[Edited on 29-12-04 by Miss X]

[Sean]

I forgot two wrongs make a right. Good luck in getting your cash back or whatever.

[Tsa`ah]

Again ... not enough info.

We simply have you complaining and making allegations of fraud. For all we know it could have been you committing fraud.

Rather hard to give advice or lend empathy without the details.

[Parkbandit]

Yea.. give us the scoop. Who does he play in GS. What did you sell. Who did you give the information to. If it was silvers, what character did you give it to.

One more reason that I would only deal with friends or people with good reputations. Sure you might get a buck or two less.. but consider it insurance against this headache.

[Miss X]

Let's keep personal information private unless you have permission to post it.

[Mini-Spir]

The exchange took place on August 14th and he disputed the charges on October 20th. I had moved halfway across the country at that time so the email Paypal sent me was never received. I also don't have all the information due to the fact that I changed ISP providers.

I have managed to locate my old emails so I still have to sort through them to find all the information. I'm fairly certain that it was not a silver transaction but a character transaction due to the odd price, ($73)

[Jolena]

Um..if I were selling characters, silvers,items etc..I'd make DAMNED sure I had a hard copy of all transactions for my record, man. Not the smartest thing in the world for you not to have done that. You could have just screwed yourself by not having a hard copy of said information.

[AkMan]

Well......everytime you use paypal for intellectual property you run this risk. No matter the game, the amount or the items....people get scammed everyday by chargebacks. When I used to sell GS stuff on ebay I knew this was a risk I was taking. But when it came down to when I sold Gokkem, I ONLY accepted Western Union. After it was sent I ran down to WU, got CASH in my hand then ran home and gave him the info.

If you aren't willing to lose the money, don't use paypal for intellectual property. You can get burned and no one will back you up because there is no record of the transaction taking place.

[Soulpieced]

A well-written e-mail would probably be appropriate.

[Edaarin]

I stopped using PayPal shortly after I got burned for $200. I simply don't trust it anymore after I had a transaction reversed on me for a tangible item (sold a Mavica digital camera) that I had already SHIPPED. PayPal decided it would be a good idea to approve the reversal, despite the fact I had a USPS tracking number and receipt and everything.

In short, PayPal sucks ass. That's why I only accept GOA's, cashier's checks, or money orders now.

[Mini-Spir]

Well I finally managed to get someone at that # for Cody Gagon. It turns out he's a 14 year old boy. His Mother is claiming that someone has used her paypal account and she's disputed four or five claims. She also stated she's heard of Gemstone from "neighbors". I talked to Cody and from the tone of his voice I got the impression that he was lying, as well as his Mother.

What I need to know is does this woman have a simutronics account. If in fact she does, I know she could be charged with fraud. I HIGHLY doubt that Simu would give up this information.

Any thoughts?

I've already contacted Virginia authorities and I'll be writing an email to the FBI tomorrow.

ROFLMAO

You got FUCKING PWNED. I hope the FBI just put this on the back burner and go back to doing actual important things like getting sleeper cell terrorists.

- Arkans

[Mini-Spir]

Originally posted by Arkans
ROFLMAO

You got FUCKING PWNED. I hope the FBI just put this on the back burner and go back to doing actual important things like getting sleeper cell terrorists.

- Arkans

They actually have a special department for cyber related crime.

[Edited on 12-30-2004 by Mini-Spir]

[SpunGirl]

Interesting. Keep us updated.

-K

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by Mini-Spir
They actually have a special department for cyber related crime.



Not for 73 bucks they don't.

[BigBadBonar]

I've never sold anything on ebay, however I have bought a few things. Let me mention that I <3 paypal buyer protection... I almost got burned $80 for a george foreman grill, but paypal resolved my claim in a week.

I was stoked

I really doubt the FBI is going to waste resources for 73 bucks.

- Arkans

[Parkbandit]

Originally posted by Mini-Spir
Well I finally managed to get someone at that # for Cody Gagon. It turns out he's a 14 year old boy. His Mother is claiming that someone has used her paypal account and she's disputed four or five claims. She also stated she's heard of Gemstone from "neighbors". I talked to Cody and from the tone of his voice I got the impression that he was lying, as well as his Mother.

What I need to know is does this woman have a simutronics account. If in fact she does, I know she could be charged with fraud. I HIGHLY doubt that Simu would give up this information.

Any thoughts?

I've already contacted Virginia authorities and I'll be writing an email to the FBI tomorrow.

Am I the only one here that seriously doubts this story? What did the conversation go like with the FBI?

Mini-Spur - Hi, this is Mini-Spur.. I need to talk to the FBI Supervisor.

FBI Operator - What would this be in regards to sir?

MS - It's in regards to none of your business and give me your BOSS!

O - Sir, I need to direct your call to the proper department, so I will need some more information please.

MS - Fine.. it's about a cyber crime where I was VIOLATED!

O - One moment please while I connect you to the Cyber Crimes division.

ring

ring

FBI Cyber Crimes - Good evening, this is Special Agent Franks, how can I help you?

MS - I WAS VIOLATED ONLINE AND I DEMAND SATISFACTION! I WANT YOU TO ISSUE A RED ALERT AND HUNT THIS BASTARD DOWN!

Agent Franks - Settle down there little fella.. why don't you tell me what happened.

MS - Fine. I sold a level 20 wizard to someone named Billy for $73 and now he has DISPUTED HIS PAYPAL charge!

AF - You sold a level 20 wizard? Could you be more specific?

MS - Yes. He was a level 20 wizard who knew 20 ranks of wizard spells, 10 ranks of major element and 15 ranks of minor elemental. I can also describe him.. he was about 7' 11" tall and had gray hair and ice blue eyes, he was wearing...

AF - Spells?

MS - Yes.. I know the training pattern was different that I would have done.. I would have concentrated more in the minor elemental circle before going to the wizard circle, but he...

AF - Are you talking about a game character here?

MS - YES! It's GS4, a text based roleplaying game that is set in the medieval times. You can choose a character to be a ranger, rogue, wizard, sorcerer, bard, empa...

AF - Sir, you have the wrong department. I handle cyber crimes, not little petty shit like this. Let me have you speak with someone in our "We don't give a shit" department.

MS - I WAS VIOLATED DAMMIT! I DEMAND YOU ARREST THIS 14 YEAR OLD NOW!

click.

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Originally posted by Mini-Spir

I've already contacted Virginia authorities and I'll be writing an email to the FBI tomorrow.

LMAO. You should get Judge Whopner to weigh in while you are at it. I love it, the FBI investigating a 73 dollar crime. Wait, that only happens in crazy land. Nevermind.

Unless....

You've just uncovered an international (would that mean the CIA needs to be involved) crime lab designed to destroy the economy of a text game! Duh Duh Duuuuuuuuh (that's sexy mystery music for you uneducated folks).

Soon you'll be appearing on Oprah and talking about how you thwarted such a foul crime from happening. Jenny Craig will contact you to sponsor her weigh loss program. You will need an agent to handle all the calls from Viagra and Musinex. You'll be more popular than that Gonzalez kid they threw back into Mexico!

Be sure and keep us posted, I want to someday be able to say I knew the kid that stopped the $73 dollar theft of virtual things from happening!

[SpunGirl]

Originally posted by Suppa Hobbit Mage
Unless....

You've just uncovered an international (would that mean the CIA needs to be involved) crime lab designed to destroy the economy of a text game! Duh Duh Duuuuuuuuh ....


Oh, ye of little faith.

-K

[Tsa`ah]

Still not much info provided.

The claim smells fishy to me and my gut tells me this is either bogus, a scam gone wrong for you, or some one posting that shouldn't be.

[SpunGirl]

What I don't understand is why the person claiming they were scammed doesn't remember what was sold. It was "probably" a character sale? How are you gonna get someone in trouble by telling the authorities what you "probably" sold them?

-K

[Nieninque]

My guess is that the reason Mini-spir cant say who the character is is because that character is known on PC....

[SpunGirl]

Originally posted by Mini-Spir
I'm fairly certain that it was not a silver transaction but a character transaction due to the odd price, ($73)

This is what I was referring to.

-K

[Mini-Spir]

Originally posted by Nieninque
My guess is that the reason Mini-spir cant say who the character is is because that character is known on PC....

Sorry SnowBitch but your conspiracy theory is off.

At the time of my previous post I did not know what was sold because I had switched ISP's, moved across the country, got a new laptop and cancelled my paypal account. Its somewhat difficult to keep track of something that happened 4 months ago when you basically threw everything you have into storage.

[crazymage]

if shes disputing 4-5 charges and they add up to 500 or more then the feds will investigate. not for 73 only though.