a scam, page-14

kincella

After confirming with Tangram's link...

https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/How-to-use-PayPal/Boat-Scam-or-not/td-p/9801

...that could be a possibility. The goods would have to be significantly different, the goods not received or performed on a credit/debit card without the owners permission.

The credit card company isn't interested in the finer details. It pays the funds back to the purchaser which it gets from PayPal, PP freezes your account and you pay PP back and then a Resolution claim is filed, which the credit company handles but PP will assist you with. To qualify, the transaction would've had to be completed in one payment as PP daily limit is $10 and you will need to show proof of tracking showing the customer received the goods. Claims can take from 30-75 days.

I assume the thieves know these limitations and use them to their advantage.

It's a shame the system favours the buyer without question. I could buy something from you and then say it wasn't me(unauthorised card) and get my money back. By the time the investigation is complete(or even in its infancy) I would be long gone.

If the buyer had a PP account it may be different because an account would have to hold funds or have a registered credit card. Hacking an account holding enough balance for a boat or having a card with a huge limit wouldn't be straight forward.

Personally, I wouldn't use a PP account for an important transaction such as a boat. Even a bank cheque would require clearance as cheques can be forged. I'm not sure if legitimate bank cheques can be cancelled once issued. Accepting cash is 'dodgy' because the buyer could arrange a break in knowing a large amount of cash may be in your residence. Also the buyer takes a risk carrying the large sum.

Safest bet is a bank cheque, straight to the bank for clearance and then the boat handed over.

What a shame you can't trust nobody these days :((