Help! How do I verify my paypal account?

November 6, 2008 4:10pm CST
Have had my paypal account for nearly two months and am really struggling when it comes to verifying it. Have entered my bank account number but they have asked to verify both my address and bank card also. I am halfway through completing card verification...well I hope anyway but when I tried to get my paypal verified via a phone call it failed...they said they'd sent out a letter but it's been three weeks and still nothing. I have a premier account and am really struggling with this. Has anyone else had a similar problem? How hard was it to set yours up? and will linking my card be an appropriate verfication? or will I have to request another letter to confirm my address as i'm worried it may have been lost in the post now.
6 people like this
18 responses
• United States
6 Nov 08
I never had a hard time verifying my Paypal account. I would try and chat with Sarah the virtual Paypal Assistant. Maybe she can help you and if that doesn't help then I would Call them at 1-888-221-1161
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
6 Nov 08
Wow! I never knew that PayPal had an 1-800 number. I have always called the long distance number. I will jot down this number for future reference. Thanks!
6 Nov 08
Will take a note of that number thanks. Yeah have verified bank account with them but my paypal account will remain unverified until I confirm both address and bank cards....so i've heard?
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
6 Nov 08
Wow! It has been a while since I had to do this. I think you have to check your aacount and see if Pal put a few cents in your account, then go from there. Maybe some one else can tell you more.
6 Nov 08
Hmm that's whats concerning me I have completed this part but it's asking me to verify my card and address now...maybe they have become more strict on rules?
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
7 Nov 08
There are two way to verify paypal account.. ONe of them is th easy way out of linking your credit or debit card to it, while the harder method is thru adding bank account, whereby u need your local bank's branch code, address as well as phone number.. hehe But i only verified my account thru adding bank account, and that i have not heard anything about verifying thru phone call.. hehe ^_^ BUt there are 2 mylot members working for paypal, maybe u can ask them ^_^
7 Nov 08
That would be very helpful thanks. Most people I have spoken to have said it's fairly straightforward to set up but i'm inclined to think otherwise. Have successfully linked bank account but they want me to confirm address and card as well.....argh
1 person likes this
• India
10 Jan 09
even i am having same problem and i have tried to link my card and even i have added my bank account but still it is saying "unverified"
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
6 Nov 08
You have to put in your bank account information. You also have to submit the two small deposits into your paypal account that paypal gives your bank.. Once you have done all of these things, your account will become verified.
@marciascott (25529)
• United States
6 Nov 08
I forgot to tell them tht you have to be careful and make sure it is the orginal Paypal account. they have phoney Paypal accounts and all the want to do is get your bank information. I got one of those Phoney Paypal. It wasn't the orginal Paypal. it was a Phoney one trying to get my Bank information. You have to be careful with this.
6 Nov 08
Wish it was that easy have completed this part of verification but it's now asking for security code from a letter they've sent and said their charge my bank card £1 to verify my card...my dad's got a paypal account and he swears he never had this much trouble.
@saizo6 (2199)
• United States
7 Nov 08
I actually had to deal with a somewhat similar situation recently because my paypal account was put on limited restrictions or something like that. They also sent out a letter with a security code for me to verify but the thing was I never got the letter. It turned out that they were sending it to my old address because I forgot to update my account when I moved. So I had to go through and update my billing address and such. It still wouldn't work and my account was still limited. After struggling with it for a while I finally figured out that it was because I didn't update the expiration date for my bank card. I later verified it through a phone call and now my account is up and running again. Although, I don't think this situation is like yours. You might want to try contacting them with an email or just call their customer service number and talk to an actual representative.
@saizo6 (2199)
• United States
7 Nov 08
I wish you luck then. Hopefully everything will work out.
7 Nov 08
The letter situation sounds a little similar I must admit. Have tried this bank card verification so if that fails I will definately get in touch with them again. Am a little reluctant to phone as this may be expensive???
@hildas (3031)
7 Nov 08
I went to the bank this morning to get the two ammounts of money they take out (or ask for) I will type them in later. Thats the stage I am at. I hope you get it sorted. I hate it when things like this happen. Good luck.
7 Nov 08
Can I just ask which account you opened with paypal was it a personal or premier because I opted for premier perhaps this is why i'm having so much hassle?
@hildas (3031)
7 Nov 08
It was personal. Yes that might be what is wrong with yours. I hope you get it sorted out. If I find out any information. I will let you know. Im gonna ask a few people I know.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
7 Nov 08
It's been a long time since I had to verify my account - years, actually. But I don't remember it being that difficult. They deposited some pennies in my checking account and I had to log on and tell them how much they were. When I verified a credit card, they took a small amount from it, then put it back. There was nothing else I had to do. Are you sure you're looking at a real paypal correspondence and not some phishing scam?
8 Nov 08
Yes i'm pretty sure it's the genuine site as I check it's got the correct web address every time I log on. Have just had so many problems trying to sort my account out.
@rkrish (3003)
• India
7 Nov 08
Its a very easy for me to do it, as i just given my credit card no and they debit some $2 in it and they provided a verification code for that debit. i took a ministatement in ATM and just feeded it in paypal account activated money transferred and withdrawn also
7 Nov 08
Wow sounds like it was pretty easy for you...wish I had the same luck. Thanks for your response.
• United States
7 Nov 08
I think it is because you are not from the United States? I have never had any problem with my verifying my account.
8 Nov 08
You might have a point but I hope it's not too serious can't honestly see why my location would cause a problem? Think I will just have to persist for now and hope for the best.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
11 Jan 09
I had been through that while ago, after paypal sent two separate small payments into my checking account, and i verified both amount correctly, i am considered as verified by them.
11 Jan 09
Thanks for your response. Am now a fully verified member of paypal and recently recieved my first withdrawal to my bank account.
• India
7 Nov 08
well even i am having the same problem i tried linking my debit card but it doesn't accept at all don't know what to do?????????
7 Nov 08
I was already under the impression that once you have linked your bank account it was verified...that was until the phone call, supposed letter and the extra hassle of confirming my card...just hope my card is accepted. This is my second attempt at paypal because my first attempt they wouldn't even accept bank account. So much hassle.
@mikeshaws (141)
• Canada
7 Nov 08
User your credit card or bank debit card to verify.You have credit record it?
7 Nov 08
Attempted this last night so hope I did it right? They said they will charge my card and refund my account with money once verfied. Fingers crossed it will work but had no many problems with it.
@anujs007 (98)
• India
7 Nov 08
sorry that you been having so much trouble for verifying your payapal account. Yes you can definitely call 1-800-221-1161 for assistance. hope it works out for ya.
7 Nov 08
Thanks I will note down the number. Just worried because having so many problems with this now i'm convinced it'll fail again.
• Turkey
7 Nov 08
ask for new activation e-mail and it will come or send them an e-mail from the e-mail you registered and ask what you should do
7 Nov 08
If my card verification fails this time I will be straight on to them. Thanks for your response.
@dio123 (1788)
• India
7 Feb 09
I have also tried to verify my account so many times by using my bank card no. and address but it did not accept I also contact the paypal support then they replied to keep on trying and if problem persist you may contact your bank regarding this, But I have still having my paypal account unverified
@avidwhit (1492)
• Mexico
7 Nov 08
This sounds like a tough one. Hope all turns out all right. Thanks for the idea I better download some paypal info just in case. Take care! :)
7 Nov 08
Are you still trying to verify yours too? Thanks for response.
1 person likes this
• United States
17 Mar 11
Why not try http://www.verifypaypal.net they are superb and fastest service to make paypal account of any country verified in a matter of 30 seconds.i verified a usa paypal account with them ... highly recommened. http://www.verifypaypal.net offering multi approach sofisticated method , to be honest i am deciding to be their reseller soon ...
@Masmasika (1921)
• Philippines
6 Nov 08
I got this problem too with my account. I have more than seventy dollars in my account which I cannot withdraw because my account is still unverified. How come this happened when I have submitted already my bank account? Can anyone explain this to us? Thanks!!!!
6 Nov 08
I am not alone....thank God. Have you verified your address or bank card yet? I'm still waiting for letter and the total of £1 to be charged from my bank account to verify my card...hope this works.