So I get this message saying:

"It has come to our attention that you may be the recipient of potentially unauthorized funds. We have initiated an investigation into this event. In the meantime, we have placed a temporary hold on the funds in question until the investigation is complete."

....Plus a request for a ton of information regarding the transaction.

Anyone else been in this situation? Not as if the "funds in question" were for anything illegal -- they were for some CDs I sold on eBay -- but I'm wondering exactly why this transaction was tagged.

Is it a legit paypal notice? I've gotten ones that were fabricated asking for personal info.

Yeah, it is. It shows up in my account and everything. I suppose I should comply, heh.

Wait wait wait...you didn't go into PayPal via the link IN the email did you? That's a common ploy.

If, however, you go to PayPal directly from a fresh browser window or tab, then you'll get the truth.

Yeah, be very careful.

Nope, nope. Yeah, I've had lots of spoof emails sent to me (some to email adresses not linked to Paypal accounts, even), so I know the ploys. The email doesn't even have any links. And yes, my official account shows that the amount is under question.

If you got tagged, it may be difficult to clear your good name.  There are a number of "Paypal Sucks" stories/sites that tell of horror stories when Paypal freezes an account.

It's because some prick used a stolen credit card or reported it as fraud or some crap like that, isn't it?  All you should have to do is prove that you had no part in any wrongdoing.

As long as you're able to provide the information to PayPal that they request, you should be in the clear.  Good luck. :\

Good luck indeed, hope they clear things up without damaging your account.

I don't think PayPal completely "freezes" your account, but I think if you get paid from a seller and there's an issue, PayPal will take back the money.  Thus, if you got paid $100, and then you spend $50, your balance becomes -$50, and PayPal will give you very limited access until you make-up the difference (ie pay them $50).  If you make sure everyone who pays you has a "verified" address, then you should be good (at least that's what PayPal says).  Unfortunately PayPal is now run by ebay, which means they don't give a damn about you or most anything...but they sure do love $$$.  Good luck,

-avatar!

Just prove that you delivered whatever was paid for, and they have no legal basis to freeze any of the funds.