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Common Question for PayPal payment issuesUpdated 2 months ago

Experiencing payment issues with PayPal can be frustrating. Below are some common problems and their potential solutions:


1. Payment Declined

Possible Causes:

  • Insufficient Funds: Ensure your linked bank account or card has enough balance.
  • Card Issues: Expired card or incorrect billing details.
  • Security Concerns: PayPal's security system might block a payment if it detects unusual activity.

Recommended Actions:

  • Verify that your payment method details are up-to-date.
  • Consider using an alternative payment method linked to your PayPal account.
  • Contact your card issuer to check for any issues on their end.

For more information, visit PayPal's guide on why payments are declined.


2. Payment on Hold or Unavailable

Possible Causes:

  • New Seller: If you're new to selling, PayPal might hold payments temporarily.
  • Unverified Account: Unverified accounts may experience payment holds.

Recommended Actions:

  • Complete all steps to verify your PayPal account.
  • Provide tracking information for shipped items to expedite the release of funds.

Learn more about payment holds.


3. Unauthorized Transactions

Recommended Actions:

  • Report the transaction immediately through PayPal's Resolution Center.
  • Change your PayPal account password and security questions.

For detailed steps, refer to reporting unauthorized transactions.


4. Issues with Received Items

Possible Scenarios:

  • Item Not Received: You paid for an item but didn't receive it.
  • Significantly Not as Described: The received item differs substantially from the seller's description.

Recommended Actions:

  • Open a dispute in the Resolution Center within 180 days of the payment date.
  • If unresolved, escalate the dispute to a claim within 20 days.

Detailed guidance is available on solving problems with a purchase.


5. Billing Issues

Recommended Actions:

  • Review your transaction history to identify any discrepancies.
  • Contact the seller directly to resolve the issue.
  • If unresolved, report the billing issue through PayPal.

Instructions can be found on reporting a billing issue.


Additional Resources

  • Resolution Center: For transaction and account-related issues.
  • Message Center: To communicate with PayPal support.

For comprehensive assistance, visit PayPal's Help Center.

If you continue to experience issues, consider contacting PayPal customer support directly for personalized assistance.

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