I won an ebay auction, and paypal will not allow me to pay them...

[LaydeeBug]

the seller is requesting I send the payment via paypal, but to their e-mail address instead.

Is this a scam?

I know this isn't about politics, which is why I posted this in General Discussion. If you pay someone via paypal, can they get your credit card, or banking information?

Does anyone have any experience with this?

[GeorgeGist]

1. its a scam.

[katanalori]

2. No Problem

You can PayPal to their e-mail address via paypal site - the seller will NOT get your private info. I have used paypal for over 5 years, and have sent payments to email addresses often. As long as you do it THROUGH the paypal site, it is ok.

[Isoldeblue]

3. Never pay anyone through email! If Pp won't let you,

that's a huge sign to be wary of this seller. I would alert ebay. This is the same as never give anyone your SS info or charge card number over the phone.

I've been on ebay since 2001 and am familiar with scammers like this.

[PoliticAverse]

4. Can you explain more about why paypal 'will not allow' you to pay them ? n/t

[RKP5637]

5. ONLY pay through paypal. NEVER directly to a seller! It is a ripoff. n/t

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. ^^^ What this member said ^^^

PayPal will offer protection if this is a scam.

[John1956PA]

6. I buy on eBay occasionally, and I always pay via PayPal.

In a given transaction, the payment which I send is directed toward the seller's PayPal account which is linked to (identified with) the email address for such seller.

I have always regarded PayPal payments as being more secure than credit/debit card payments, since, in order to send a payment, I first have to log onto the PayPal site by using my PayPal password.

[CANDO]

9. I had a similar problem recently

The seller had an invalid email registered to either paypal or ebay. We worked around it by them sending a paypal invoice to my email. I clicked the invoice and paid through the paypal invoice. I would bet you they have an email validity issue. Don;t worry as long as it is through paypal one way or another.

[ellenfl]

10. i have pd using email address. just be sure u do it using the paypal website.

log in by going to the website, not thru a link from the seller.

[justiceischeap]

11. If it's a Paypal invoice, make sure it's really the Paypal site you're going to

the address should be https://www.paypal.com/andwhatevercomesafter

If it starts with anything other than that https://www.paypal.com, it's a scam (technically, phishing).

[LaydeeBug]

12. Thank you all so much for taking the time for me...I went to paypal...

and paid that way.

They didn't send me a link, so I am hoping this was just a glitch