The reason given was "Under the Acceptable Use Policy, PayPal may not be used to send or receive payments for certain sexually oriented materials or services or for items that could be considered obscene". This is wrong/false on so many levels. We used PayPal only as a means to receive voluntary donations from people who wanted to support further development of Voat and to help pay for our hosting fees. This is beyond crazy.
According to PayPal User Agreement, our funds can be kept by PayPal for 180 days. I requested further clarification from PayPal, but I would like to advise everyone who planned to donate to Voat - to NOT do so via PayPal.
Honestly, I don't know what I expected when I trusted PayPal with our donation money. I apologize to everyone who donated to us through PayPal and I will badge everyone who did so even if the funds are never released by PayPal.
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Guerilla ago
Well, that was expected. Paypal is a fucking terrible corporation and people should REALLY stop trusting these fucking blackmailers. How many people must these fucks screw before the public stops trusting them with their money?
edit: It seems Google Wallet is just as terrible, so the only solution for an easy to pay system is a build in site pay feature which imo should be a priority now if we want voat to survive. Unless there are other suggestions.
edit2: If you don't want to close your paypal account because you might need it in the future, which is understandable given its popularity, I urge everyone to empty their paypal accounts completely and only use it for direct transactions with their CC. Not just because you're boycotting but to protect your money from these thieving fucks (for example...). Also, if you're buying something from another country make sure to change the settings to stop paypal from converting the currency for you (the setting is in tiny fond during the transaction) because paypal's currency exchange rates are obscenely expensive. It's just another way for paypal to rip off their customers and it's actually an opt-out system which is enraging. And DO NOT "upgrade" your account unless you really need that, iirc there are a couple of scams there too.
derram ago
Also, remember to unlink any bank accounts you don't want them stealing money from.
j_ ago
Yep. I keep a PayPal account out of necessity for work, but I have unlinked everything, and only use a debit (not credit!) card to make immediate transfers. Don't let PayPal hold any credit, ever.
Johnny-Rico ago
I would never attach a debit card to my Paypal account, nor do I ever use a debit card for point-of-sale or online transactions; only use credit cards. If my credit card information is stolen and used, I can fight that and still have money in the bank. With a debit card? Not so much.
Dirty_Asshole ago
That's silly credit cards are easier to issue charge backs against. I only use American Express with PayPal.
j_ ago
I don't understand the significance of using Amex, or is it just a personal anecdote?
Dirty_Asshole ago
Amex is the best credit card when it comes to charge backs. You fill out a form on their website and 10 minutes later the money is back in your acccount. Amex then hashes it out with the retailer. I've never had any issues with a chargeback from Amex. Compared to Capital one which makes you fill out a paper form, have it notarized and fax it in...
j_ ago
Alright, thanks. I guess that'll be useful if I ever move to the US of A :)
heyitsfred ago
Isn't credit easier to fight though? I thought debit cards were the dangerous ones to give to untrusted entities.
j_ ago
Not sure about fighting. I am not in the US and almost never use credit anyway, so my attitude to credit/debit might be quite unusual.
My debit card is linked to a chequing account which is usually empty. I transfer between my savings and chequing accounts instantly via online banking when I need it.
heyitsfred ago
In the states, they'll just overdraft you, oftentimes even when you told them to decline anyway.
j_ ago
Then lucky for me I'm not in the states :)