PayPal has launched a mass chargeback on what’s purported to be “thousands” of PlayStation Network transactions, putting many accounts in danger. The cause of the returned payments is unclear, but it means that many profiles are now technically in “debt”, which typically triggers Sony’s auto-ban feature. Not good news.
We’ve heard from several people who’ve received “refunds” from PayPal relating to payments made on the PlayStation Store, so you’ll know that you’ve been affected if you have one of these emails in your inbox. According to Kotaku UK, the platform holder is already in close contact with PayPal as it attempts to investigate what’s going on.
If you do find yourself suddenly banned, then we wouldn’t worry too much – the blame here clearly lies with PlayStation and PayPal, so it’s not like it can be enforced. While the issues are investigated, though, you’re probably going to have to sit tight and hope for a swift resolution. We’ll update you if we learn any more.
Of course, probably best to steer clear of PayPal payments and get yourself a PlayStation Network voucher from Amazon for the time being.
Update (23:30PM BST): Just as an addendum, our understanding is that this issue is only affecting UK customers right now. Neither company has commented yet.
[source kotaku.co.uk]
Comments 34
@DLB3 Have you got an email about any returned charges?
Hmmm.... haven't used PayPal for a while now. Hopefully this won't be an issue.
Haven't received any email, luckily there isn't any PSN purchases I'm planning to make for awhile.
Wow, just wow...FACEPALM
I use PayPal but haven't for some time. Not received anything from Sony or PayPal.
I have made countless PSN purchases and all of them via a PSN card. I would never put my credit card info or anything like PayPal on PSN with their track record.
Thankfully I buy digital PSN cards so it seems I am safe.
All my PSN purchases are done via PayPal. Just used it yesterday during the sale, haven't heard anything on my end.
well my psn account was banned because of this i paid for my plus through paypal
PayPal chargebacks are an issue as it can put your account in debt due to the admin fees. It seems to happen with stream donations a lot.
This though? Maybe a glitch.
Used my credit card for last 7 years. No problem so far 😎
Looks like I'm the first one on this thread to have this issue. My account is banned after receiving the email. Frustrating but only because I'm worried my Crash preload won't unlock at midnight. I'll just play Zelda instead tonight
Personaly I us e the debit card for my spending account. Hope nothing similar will happen to me.
After the hack I vowed never to link my credit card to PSN, so I always next use PSN codes from Amazon. Avoids Sony being able to auto renew my plus membership that i need to switch off each year.
Hope no-one in the push square community has been affected by this
one of the reasons i'm glad i use PSN cards but this must suck for PayPal users
i just hope Sony has the sense to not just drop the ban hammer on people this has affected
Happy I don't use PayPal to pay
I haven't used Pay Pal in years and anyway I use PSN cards for all my PSN purchases.
I don't use PayPal so I will not be affected? I use the PSN cards.
I always buy PSN cards, don't trust connecting my PayPal.
@mrobinson91 Wow sorry to hear that hopefully Sony sorts it out for you ASAP. Was you online when you got the ban?
@banacheck I was at work when I got the email. Fingers crossed I get sorted for tomorrow!!
I'm in the UK and I've got a paypal account linked to the playstation store,. I've heard nothing from Paypal. Maybe I'm one of the lucky few or pp and ps have nipped the problem in the bud
I stupidly added £1.88 from paypal on the 22nd towards a purchase. I just noticed its in the pending stage . If I add credit from voucher that should cover it if PayPal do chargeback so they don't ban me?.
I'm amazed how many of you lot use those PSN cards. I just link it to my bank card.
I just remembered @get2sammyb didnt Sony get into hot water for banning over chargebacks when they wouldnt give refunds?
@DLB3 Yeah, I've added that to the article now. I was waiting for more information on other territories, but it definitely seems isolated to British users.
@Splat that what I do get pan cards I do that on all eshops
@mrobinson91 Or you could make contact and fix it probably. 😋
@mrobinson91 no way mate, fingers crossed for you.
Not sure if you wanted to know but I have spoken to Sony.
They say it's a PayPal issue, they are in talks with them at the moment to try and resolve. I cannot clear my balance on the account as others have expected. All I'm able to do is wait, for an estimated 7-10 business days until the matter is resolved.
EDIT: Whilst not at my PS4, it appears my account is not banned anymore as can log into website. Conflicting info here.
I had an email from PayPal saying Sony had sent the payment back which was for my PS Plus subscription. Then tried to log on to PSN and stated I was banned. Rang Sony, they said it was a PayPal issue, PayPal say its a Sony issue. Sony told me to buy PSN credit to make up the £39.99, did that and rang them back, and the ban has now been lifted. So it seems that you will only get a ban if you have used PayPal to pay for something recently and the payment has been reversed, hence leaving a debt on your account, which is against T&C 's. Hope this helps anyone in the same predicament.
@pr0d1gy1980 @mrobinson91 Thanks for sharing!
@pr0d1gy1980 The thing is that is terrible customer service from Sony, banning people for an issue they know about which isn't the person's fault is reprehensible. Having to add extra money to your account on top of what Sony will no doubt claim back from your Paypal account in the coming days would be referred to as a scam in other quarters.
As someone else mentioned, Sony have a history with being very anti-consumer when it comes to a person's account with them, there was the whole issue with fraudulent purchases made on a person's account causing Sony to ban the account if the person claimed the money back. Given Sony themselves were hacked, giving away a lot of people's personal information including credit cards in the past, you would think they'd be more understanding about these situations. It does highlight how frail digital ownership laws are though and why a lot of people are very reluctant to move to a digital future.
@MinerWilly I won't link my bank card to PSN or any online service. My son had his XBL account hacked once and my bank card was linked to it and the thieves made over $300 in game purchases. It was a nightmare getting MS to refund my money and I don't want to deal with that B.S. again so now I just use PSN cards.
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