Should I pay for a refund (expand account limit)

[Sora0404]

A client contacted me on Instagram and asked me to create an art for his kid. He showed some pics of the kid. He suggested to utilize PayPal. He paid $300 first and got email from PayPal (the address included gmail.com at the end). Then the email said my account has account limit and asked for extra $200 to expand the account limit. Even though the payment is done, my account balance is still 0. I asked him to pay extra $200 as the email says. As the refund he was asking me to pay $200 Apple gift card. Since the email was doubtful, I asked him to wait so that I can confirm the email address through PayPal customer service but he is not that patient and keeps asking for the gift card. I haven’t paid the refund yet. I don’t need to pay this?

[PayPal_Meghan · Accepted solution]

Hello @Sora0404,

Welcome to the PayPal Community! 

I understand someone has reached out for a commission, but they're stating that they need to pay extra fees and want you to refund them through a gift card. I'm sorry to hear this has happened, and I'm glad you reached out here first. Unfortunately, this is a scam for which we're starting to see much more traction. You, nor the buyer, will ever have to pay a fee to remove a limitation or upgrade your PayPal account. The only fee that would ever be charged is after you receive the payment, enabling your Seller Protection. You can learn more about common scams on our Help Center here: What are common scams and how do I spot them? This is a US Help Center article, but the information applies to everyone.  

Thanks again for reaching out here first; stay safe! 

- Meghan

[Sora0404]

Thank you! I will decline this commission then. I won’t do commission through SNS since today.

[jklseeee]

Damn I also meet a same situation with u. The guy want me to do a commission art and for the 200 refund. The guy wants me to buy the razer gold for me. I actually doubt him/her is a scam but he/she said never do that So I trusted him/her again. Now I already spend 55usd. I am helpless now

[savwallis]

This is happening to me right now which prompted me to come on here. He’s claiming to have sent me $370 and now $700 to expand my limit after us both receiving an ‘email’. Now he’s trying to get me to refund $700 back to release the funds? But it hasn’t turned up in my PayPal account nor is it in it in the resolution center.