PayPal Business Accounts

PayPal is an online payment company that operates around the world. It also offers loans, debit cards and credit cards. With over 255 million customers, it isn't surprising that PayPal receives many calls each day.

Why Do People Call PayPal Customer Support?

People call PayPal customer support for a range of reasons, including:

• Questions about charges and balances
• Requests for refunds or other compensation
• Reporting identity theft and fraud
• Questions about account holds and freezes
• Reporting account changes
• Issues with PayPal loans, credit cards and debit cards

Best Practices for Calling PayPal Customer Service

There are several things that you can do to save time and increase your chances of an acceptable resolution when calling PayPal:

• Make sure that you are calling the correct number. If you are calling about a PayPal-issued debit or credit card, call the number on the back of your card. There are also separate numbers for those calling internationally. If you are in the United States and wish to discuss your issue in Spanish, PayPal provides a separate phone number for you.
• Call during standard customer service hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time. If you are calling about credit or debit card fraud, make sure you are calling the dedicated number for your card so that you can speak to a live person at any time.
• If possible, log in to your PayPal account, click the link for "Contact Us," and click again on the "Call Us" graphic. This will take you to a page with a number to call and a temporary code. Enter this code when prompted during your call to PayPal for quicker service.
• Paypal is highly security-conscious. When possible, call PayPal from a phone connected to a number that you have already registered with PayPal. You may need to answer additional questions if you are calling from a number that is not connected to your account.
• Have the ability to take notes during your call. These notes can be very helpful if you have to escalate your case.

How Do People Feel About Their Calls to PayPal Customer Support?

As is true for most large businesses, there are mixed reports about the efficacy of PayPal phone-based customer service. In many cases, PayPal representatives are able to help with issues such as researching transactions as well as freezing accounts in response to identity theft.

However, other users have complained that PayPal customer service sometimes lacks transparency. People have had accounts frozen or canceled, and their money held for months, without a satisfactory explanation from PayPal.

What Kind of Issues Can PayPal Customer Support Resolve?

PayPal customer service can resolve many issues affecting PayPal accounts, including verifying transactions, reviewing and changing account limits, and addressing identity theft or fraud cases. If you have a loan with PayPal, or use their debit or credit cards, PayPal can also service those accounts via phone-based customer service.

What Can't Be Resolved by Phone With PayPal?

If your PayPal account is connected to a third-party bank account, credit or debit card, you may have to call these other companies if your PayPal account has been compromised and scammers have used PayPal to make charges to your cards or to steal funds from your accounts.

In situations where you are in conflict with a buyer or seller, a PayPal phone representative will be limited in what they can do to mediate the situation. Your request may go to another team within PayPal and, in the end, it is generally best if you are able to resolve the situation on your own or by working with a third-party advocate.

What Can I Do If I Am Unhappy With My Call to PayPal?

If you get off the phone with PayPal and feel that your concerns were not appropriately resolved, don't give up. There are options available to you.

First, if you didn't take notes during your original call, write down or type out what happened. This will be helpful when explaining your situation to another representative.

Next, call back. Some customer service agents are better trained or easier to work with than others. The next person you speak to might be in a better position to help.

You can also try an alternative method of getting in touch with PayPal. These options include email, live chat, social media platforms, PayPal's forums, or filing a claim in their online Resolution Center. All of these options can provide you with a written or printed record of your communications with PayPal, which you can use, if necessary, during the escalation of your case.

If none of these strategies work, you may still be able to file a case with the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's ombudsman office. This is not a quick fix nor does the CFPB advocate for you as an individual. However, the CFPB is a watchdog agency that oversees financial services companies and may be able to provide assistance.