What must I do to start using Virtual Terminal?

Before processing transactions using Virtual Terminal, check that your business information is correct and complete. Accurate information ensures that customers can contact you about their purchases.

When a customer makes a purchase through Virtual Terminal, their next credit card statement will display a transaction descriptor that includes:

• Your business name
• Your business phone number
• The state where your business is located (optional)
• The amount of the transaction

The customer's bank determines exactly what information about transactions and your business will appear on credit card statements. Often, the description looks like this:

MYCOMPANYNAME 555-123-1234 NM $100.00

After a transaction settles, the customer's statement displays your business information and the transaction amount as a permanent record of the charge. Virtual Terminal’s credit card statement shows only the merchant’s name as entered in the Credit Card Statement Name field. Also, your email address won't appear on customers' credit card statements.

Review or change your customer-facing business name

The business name can be up to 19 characters long in the long version and 11 characters long in the short version, including spaces, and should include alphabetic and numeric characters only. The name appears in all capital letters on credit card statements. Some card processors may truncate the name. To set up your business name:

1. Go to the Business Information section of your PayPal business account.
2. Click Update next to your business name.
3. On the following page, click Edit next to “Your business information.”
4. Under “Credit Card statement name,” review or change your business name in the Short version and Long version fields.
5. Click Save.

Review or change your customer-facing phone number

1. Go to the Business Information section of your PayPal business account.
2. Click Update next to your business name.
3. On the following page, click Edit on the top banner next to your business name. A pop-up form will open.
4. The number will be listed under Customer service phone. Make sure this phone number is exactly what you want customers to see. This number is printed on customers' credit card statements and they may use it to contact you.
5. If you need to make changes, click Change under the phone number, then click Edit next to the number you wish to change. You can choose whether a registered number is intended for customer service in the “Phone type” dropdown.
6. Click Update details.

Review or change your customer-facing email address Virtual Terminal may use your email address to send emails to your customers. Make sure your email address is correct. Here's how:

1. Go to the Business Information section of your PayPal business account.
2. Click Update next to your business name.
3. On the following page, click Edit on the top banner next to your business name. A pop-up form will open.
4. Ensure that the email address in the Customer service email field is exactly what you want customers to see.
5. If you need to make changes, edit the email directly in that field and click Save.