Paypal: Hijacked?

I have been using paypal since 2005. Until recently (had it been months?), it had been very safe, very easy to use, and very efficient.

What's going on?

1.  It now asks new users whether they are sellers or buyers (seems, you cannot be both).
Fine. If you are an old user, beware of changing your bank details, you'll be doomed!
2. Then, if you are a seller, your account automatically requires your own bank-registered business name. It automatically assumes (and insists!) that your bank account, even if you state while registering your details that it is a personal account and AFTER you input your name, that it is named AFTER your business account.
3. If you cannot properly place a bank account, you have limitations like withdrawing (you cannot even withdraw from your credit card, I understand).
4. But assuming you already inputed properly your bank details and withdraw, you will learn that the transaction was reversed. Because paypal used a business name instead of your inputed personal name.
5. Or it is reversed because it is automatically a checking (current) account.
6. And after all the delays and mistakes, you are charged about US$5 for the reversion. This is thick!
7. You pay for a mistake that paypal insists & committed!

Dispute a paypal mistake & you get this!

Then,

1. You cannot dispute that mistake.
2. Because paypal will only give you one option in their "resolution center" which is "report an unauthorized activity" - which is FALSE, of course, because you made that activity.
3. But you are forced to click only one button, because the other option is to send them a message, which was NEVER read at all.
4. But if you opt to send a message instead, you get a reply on your email stating how to use paypal (using JUST keywords on your message), which you already knew because you read/saw how in their website already. Well, they ask you to email back in case the issue is not resolved.
5. So, you email back.
6. And still you have robotic customer service representatives (CSR) answering you other things instead of helping you resolve the problem (like correcting your account details).
7. BUT apparently, the number or all numbers being sent to the CSR are censored!

Worse

1. If you clicked those questions AFTER "report an unauthorized activity", you are doomed!
2. OK, so, if you click a paypal transaction (charged for penalty) for dispute under the Resolution Center, they will automatically block your account, and you can only resolve the issue by calling their Nebraska phone at +1 402 9352050.
3. You will be answered by an AI machine, which does NOT recognize numbers by voice or by keypad. So, you get to repeat inputing the same number over and over again until you meet your call limits (subscription if you do not have a postpaid phone). And then it will insist it does not recognize your number, so, you input the number you used in your paypal account, but as I said, could it really be communicating with your phone? They don't seem to be from the same planet!!!
4. SO, you buy another call load for your phone.
5. And do the process again and again (today, it will be my 12th time to call). Now, my Globe IDD wants to compete, it keeps being cut!!!
6. At other times, the AI lets you go through, and then, the other challenge kicks in - a recorded  message that is so -  coming from the earth's abyss itself, you can hardly recognize a word it is saying... (I must need a hypersonic hearing aid already!)
7. Then, if you are lucky, there's a CSR to answer your call (hallelluia!!!)
8. So, she will get your cryptic email address (he or she will have a difficulty understanding it, of course!), so you get stuck a few minutes just trying to figure out what the hell is your email address!
9. And when you finally were able to send through the message you are trying to send through, breathe.
10. The CSR will send you a verification code... Or was it an email link? No, first, a verification code to your email, before she gives you an email link to finally restore your account!
11. Well, hold that hallelluia! Because if you do not have a kingdom-come-call-limitations, your load just expired! (OK, mine).
12. Go back to 1. Whichever "1 "you want. Up there.

calls at paypal taking about 10 minutes... before you can actually speak to a live human.

The many call logs which paypal insists I upload to their website AFTER I log-in (they have blocked me, how can I log in?)

So Paypal, you win. I'll try to start finding other options now, go check out those other payment systems, maybe, they have not been hijacked yet! And, yes, I'll stop telling everyone to use paypal. I can't afford more angry looks. (I've more than enough for myself already).

Smart Communications: No Aleck yet in your Trade Name...

(An Open Letter to Smart Communications, Inc. from a loyal Customer)

In July 28, I tried to withdraw from my Smart Money through ATM (not BDO) but smart load unli-text was not accepted to unlock my account.

So, I loaded P300 from smart load card.

I tried to withdraw in BDO unlocking my card as instructed in your site and the Smart Money User guide. My PIN was not accepted.

So, I called your card hotline  632-8457777 for assistance using my smart sim mobile phone. Since the verification process alone took time (as if you didn't know), I asked the CSR if I am being charged for the call and he said NO. He provided me with advice on how to go about using this card by sending money to another smart number in order to immediately withdraw from smart remittance.

To no avail. So, I called again a little later about the remittance centers.

That night, I transferred  funds to my husband's smart number so he can avail the money ASAP for end-of-the-month bills.

Only to be required to PAY for another smart money card, and to wait TWO (2) weeks to withdraw that money.

I called again your card hotline only to be cut short (I didn't know my load has RUN out just calling up your SMART hotline!).

A few SMS later, and I already RAN out of prepaid loads!

I called your smart money CSR via landline (because I cannot anymore use my smart prepaid) and guess what the message prompt is AFTER I input my SMart Money card number?

SURPRISE: You have insufficient balance to  make this transaction.NOW, if this is not highway robbery, let me know.

But I did not stop going through the maze of your hotline recorded messages. I finally got an operator - Yumi Aquino to tell me Smart cannot do anything to reverse the situation.

What I told her was recorded, but I am putting it here again for the world to know (as if they are clueless):

"If you will check your record, I maintain several Smart accounts and am a loyal customer since 2005. My prepaid load  is only BARYA and you  still want to gain from it?

Your customer SHOULD not be penalized for the mistake of your Smart staff. So return my prepaid LOAD."

Yumi insisted her script so I asked to talk to her manager. She said she will look for her supervisor instead, and could I please hold for say - 3 minutes?

I endured.

Only to be told they will call me up after getting my 2 numbers- within the day.

After an hour, I checked my load and I  was provided for the 2 unli-text I loaded earlier in Sunday to avail their smart money unlock system!

2 days later, no more load balance.

First off, I load using the smart card load because I use it to both call and send SMS. and they only returned the UNUSED unli-text I loaded!

Please guys, do something. You are earning SO MUCH - like some government officials - but it does not mean you have to be as senseless and as idiotic like them. C'mon' people. Live up to your company name - and it has no "aleck" after it.

ps

You should be paying me to test your products, and point our the glitches... and THIS is what you do to me? 

I mean, Yumi, if you are out there reading this... of course we've been had by your family namesake, but, girl...