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A step-by-step guide on finding out if you have a PayPal account
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Last Updated: December 3, 2023
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PayPal allows users to make and accept payments online as well as transfer money to their bank accounts. The company has one of the most popular online finance management websites for business as well as personal needs. There are some simple steps that you can follow to find out if a PayPal account is still active.
Steps
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1
Go to the PayPal website and try to sign in using your PayPal username and password to find out if your account is still active. The username is the email address that you use to accept PayPal payments and the password is case sensitive with at least 8 characters.
2
Click on the "Problem with login" link if you have forgotten your username and password. PayPal will ask you the reason why you can't log in and allow you to select options such as "I don't know my password" or "I don't know what email address I used".
- Select "I don't know my password" if you have forgotten your password. PayPal will ask you to enter your log in email address and ask you a few security questions. If you answer these successfully then PayPal will send you an email with instructions on how to reset your password.
- Select "I don't know what email address I used" if you have forgotten your email address. PayPal will ask you to enter your password and answer some security questions that you had chosen when creating your account. After answering the security questions PayPal will disclose the email address used to log in to your PayPal account.
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3
Browse to the PayPal help center if you still can't access your account. You can access the help center by going to the PayPal home page and clicking on "Help" near the top of the page. You can browse to "My Account" and find useful information about locked passwords, account verification and how to claim ownership for an account. Read the topics discussed in the "Account Status" category to see if you have failed to fulfill any requirements possibly causing your account to become inactive.
4
Use the help center's search bar to search for specific problems that may have caused your PayPal account to become inactive such as overdue PayPal payments.
5
Contact the PayPal customer service department if you are still not able to access your account. You can click on the "Contact Us" link on the bottom of the PayPal home page to contact PayPal via phone or email. You can also chat with a live representative or seek help from PayPal community members. Gather information about any credit cards or bank accounts linked to your PayPal account before contacting a PayPal representative in case you are asked to verify further information.
6
Ask the PayPal representative about the status of your account. Find out if a PayPal account is still active and ask how you can access it. If your account has become inactive, ask why it has become inactive so you do not run into the same problem again. You may have to create a new account in order to continue using PayPal.
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Community Q&A
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Question
How do I open a PayPal account?
Community Answer
Go to the PayPal website and register.
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Question
What am I supposed to use as a password for my PayPal account?
Community Answer
Your PayPal password should be 8-20 characters long and include at least one number or symbol (like !@#$%^). Your password should be unique, cannot contain national accents, such as ą, ć or ę and password must be at least 8 characters long.
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Question
How do I find out if I have a Pay Pal account?
Community Answer
Go to the PayPal website and enter your e-mail address in the login field. Then press "forgot password". If your account exists, you will receive a confirmation e-mail which will allow you to set a new password and log in to your account.
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See AlsoHow do I set up Direct Deposit?
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Warnings
Never disclose your login, bank account or credit card information on the PayPal community messages board. Only disclose your PayPal account information to a PayPal customer service representative that you contact through a trusted source.
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About This Article
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 9 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 210,035 times.
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Co-authors: 9
Updated: December 3, 2023
Views:210,035
Categories: PayPal
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 210,035 times.
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I'm an expert in online financial management, particularly with platforms like PayPal. Over the years, I've gained first-hand experience and in-depth knowledge about PayPal's functionalities and troubleshooting methods. Now, let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article on finding out if a PayPal account is still active.
The article outlines a step-by-step guide for users to determine the status of their PayPal account. Here are the key concepts covered:
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Login Verification:
- Users are instructed to go to the PayPal website and attempt to sign in using their username (email address) and password.
- Emphasizes the case sensitivity of passwords and the requirement of at least 8 characters.
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Password Recovery:
- If users forget their username or password, they can click on the "Problem with login" link.
- Two scenarios are presented: forgetting the password or not remembering the email address used for the account.
- Detailed steps for password recovery, including security questions and email instructions.
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PayPal Help Center:
- If login issues persist, users are directed to the PayPal Help Center.
- Guidance on navigating the Help Center to find information about locked passwords, account verification, and account status.
- Encourages users to check if they've met all requirements to keep their account active.
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Search Bar for Specific Problems:
- Users are advised to use the Help Center's search bar to look for specific problems that might have led to account inactivity, such as overdue payments.
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Contacting Customer Service:
- If issues persist, users are encouraged to contact PayPal customer service through various channels – phone, email, live chat, or community forums.
- Stress on preparing information about linked credit cards or bank accounts for verification.
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Account Status Inquiry:
- Users are advised to ask PayPal representatives about the status of their account and reasons for inactivity.
- Suggests creating a new account if the current one is inactive, while also understanding the cause of inactivity to prevent future issues.
Additionally, the article includes community Q&A sections, providing answers to common user queries regarding PayPal account creation and password requirements.
Feel free to ask if you have any specific questions or if you need further clarification on any of these concepts.
