Someone using PayPal only needs to know your email address or mobile phone number to send you money.

When someone sends you money, we’ll email you advising you to open a PayPal account so you can claim that money. If you already have a PayPal account and have confirmed your email address, we'll credit the payment to your PayPal account. If you don't have a PayPal account, sign up and confirm your email address to receive payments.

Watch out for fake PayPal emails and other scams: we never ask sellers to provide a tracking number before they receive the payment in their PayPal account.

We created your PayPal account as an international account. Don't respond to people asking you to activate your account internationally and don't send prepaid cash service vouchers.

If you have money in your PayPal account balance, you can transfer it to your bank account, use it for online purchases or sent it to friends or family.