Complaint Review: VENMO (PayPal)

Venmo refuses to release $700 sent to me by my family, friends, and church members. No specific reason given, despite me sending my DL and more. After using Venmo services for several weeks,  sending and receiving money from my family members, friends, associates, and church members, I initiated a withdrawal to my Wells Fargo checking account. Two days later, I received an email from a Venmo Account Specialist (Ethan G) requesting that I verify my identity by sending them my Driver's License. I provided Venmo my Driver's License via email reply, and the next day Ethan sent an email stating my Ven mo account is permanently deactivated, and my money would not be released. I replied letting him know that nothing was done illegally nor was there anything to worry about regarding money sent to me by my loved ones. I also stated that he should give me a reason as to why I was being targeted, and he stated "we do not divulge our decision-making criteria in order to protect the systems that monitor activity on Venmo".

They refuse to release over $700 that belongs to me. I'm not operating a business and I complied with everything they asked me too. I feel cheated and swindled. I feel like they are swindling me out of my money, and since they have it with them, they are hiding behind their "policies" stating things are under investigation due to "high risk". I know everyone who sent money to me, and maintain contact with everyone that I sent money to.

Venmo suspended their accounts too! This is not fair, and I feel powerless. I told Venmo to release my funds, and I will not deal with their company anymore. They stated that I would have to wait 180 days or longer, and that's not guaranteed that I'll get it then. This is bad business practice. They waited until my money built up and then decided to keep it.

Makes me wonder how many other people they're doing this to, and how much money they've made by keeping it from Venmo users. After reading the numberous compaints on RipOffReport.com, I was so suprised that they are still getting away with this. I felt it necessary to file a complaint here, as well as with the Better Business Bureau.

If Venmo had an issue, they should have let me know about it the first few days so I could let my friends and family know not to send to me and vice versa. All I want is my money owed to me. I won't think twice about dealing with PayPal or Venmo ever again. There is not contact number for Venmo to speak to anyone in Customer Service, and Ethan stated to have my attorney reach PayPal legal department by mail.