I don’t have an account with PayPal. How can I use my bank account to pay with PayPal?
First, create an account with PayPal, if you don’t already have one. We’ll ask you if you want to link a bank account to your account and walk you through the steps.
Once you have a bank account linked, you can choose it as your payment method whenever you check out. In most cases, your bank will already be selected.
We’ll never share your full bank account information with the merchant. Instead, we’ll pay the merchant on your behalf. We’ll then debit your bank account for the amount of your purchase.
I already have an account with PayPal. How do I link my bank to PayPal?
First, log into PayPal. Then click on “Wallet,” and then “Link a Bank.” We’ll guide you through the steps.
How does PayPal keep my bank information secure?
We do not share your full financial information with merchants. In addition, we monitor your account for fraud 24x7.
You're also covered by PayPal Purchase protection for eligible transactions and, in the unlikely event your account is compromised, PayPal provides unauthorized transaction coverage.
Learn more.
When I pay by bank, how does PayPal protect me if there’s a problem with my online purchase?
We offer Purchase Protection. If your online purchase (from eBay or elsewhere) doesn’t arrive or is different than what was described, tell us and we’ll look into it. If we find that something’s wrong, we’ll reimburse you for the full purchase price of any eligible item, plus eligible shipping costs.
See Eligibility
How do I report unauthorized activity on my account with PayPal?
1. Log into PayPal.
2. Click “Activity”.
3. Click the transaction that you wish to report.
4. On the next page, you’ll be able to report any unauthorized activity.
How do I view the status of an unauthorized claim?
1. Log into PayPal.
2. Click “Activity”.
3. Click on the transaction you want to view.
4. You’ll see the status of that transaction.
When will I see the debit for purchases I make with my bank account?
The length of time for the debit to appear in your bank account depends on the type of transfer from your bank account to PayPal. There are 2 types of transfers from your bank account to PayPal:
1. We’ll initiate the debit to your bank account when you make a purchase. The debit usually posts to your bank account within 3 business days.
2. An eCheck is like a regular check, and it typically takes up to 5 business days for an eCheck to clear. Look for the debit in your bank account within 5 days after the purchase. Note that with eChecks, PayPal only pays the recipient once the eCheck has cleared. With Instant Transfers, the recipient receives the money right away.
How are refunds credited when I use my bank account with PayPal?
If you paid with your bank account or PayPal Cash or PayPal Cash Plus balance, your payment will be refunded to your balance. Refunds are in the same currency and at the same conversion rate as the original payment.
I linked my bank account to my account with PayPal but I’m still not able to use it to pay. How can I use it?
Your bank account might not be confirmed. We require confirmation to make sure that only authorized users can link a bank account to their account. To confirm, you’ll need to either: (1) verify the amounts of 2 small deposits made by PayPal to your bank account, which takes 2-3 days or (2) use your online banking credentials to instantly confirm your bank account.
To confirm your bank account:
1. Log into PayPal.
2. Click on “Wallet”.
3. Once on the Wallet page, click on your bank account and follow the instructions to confirm your bank account.
If your bank account is already confirmed and you’re still unable to use your bank account when shopping using PayPal, please contact Customer Service through the
PayPal Help center.
I have a question that hasn’t been answered here. What should I do?
Please first try searching the
PayPal Help Center.
If your question still isn’t answered, the Help Center also has instructions for contacting Customer Service.