How to Verify a PayPal Account

Though it's not necessary to become a verified PayPal member, verification comes with many benefits. Verified members no longer have limitations on the amount of money they can send to others. If you are verified, you can show sellers and buyers alike that your account has been confirmed and that PayPal has substantiated your identity. It's not difficult to verify your account, either by using bank account information or by applying for a PayPal Plus Card.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bank account information
• PayPal account

Verify With a Bank Account

1. Gather your bank account information, including the bank name, account number and routing information.
2. Log in to your PayPal account. You will be at the "My Account Overview" page.
3. Look for the heading "Activate Account" and click "Add Bank Account." You may also add a bank account by going to the "Profile Summary" page and clicking on "Bank Accounts" in the "Financial Information" column.
4. Enter your bank information and hit continue. PayPal allows for two ways to verify using a bank account: if you have online banking access, you can offer your login information to your financial institution's website, and PayPal will check the information to instantly verify your account. Alternatively, PayPal will make two small deposits into your banking account.
5. Check your bank statements for the PayPal deposits. Return to the verification page by clicking the "Confirm Bank Account" link on your Account Summary page, and then enter the amounts of the deposits.

Verify by Applying for a PayPal Plus Credit Card

6. Scroll down to the bottom of any PayPal page.
7. Click the "Plus Card" link. You will be redirected to a page entitled "PayPal Plus Credit Card."
8. Locate and click on the "Apply Now" button.
9. Fill in the empty fields on the application form. Many of them will be filled in with information PayPal already has from your account.
10. Decide whether you want to enroll in the Account Security program. If so, check the box. Then read the "Terms and Conditions" of the card.
11. Hit the "Accept and Submit" button. In less than 1 minute, PayPal will tell you whether or not you have been approved. If you are approved, it will automatically verify your PayPal account.

Tips & Warnings

• Be wary of phishing schemes that ask you to verify your PayPal account. Always access your account via the homepage, rather than email links.