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PayPal and your debit card

Linking your card can save you time on online purchases.

Tim Falk

Updated Apr 27, 2020

By linking your PayPal account to your debit card, credit card or bank account, you can pay for your online purchases and send quick and convenient international money transfers without entering your card or account information each time.

How does PayPal work?

PayPal’s online payments system allows you to send and receive money online from almost anywhere in the world. It uses encryption software to help users send electronic money transfers to other PayPal customers, allowing you to instantly pay for purchases online and on your phone.

There are three ways you can add money or pay for purchases through your PayPal account:

Using your PayPal balance. This is always the first option when buying something online.
Using your bank account. You can link your checking account to your PayPal account to pay for purchases online.
Using your credit or debit card. You can also add money to PayPal from your debit card or credit card.

How do I link my debit card to my PayPal account?

To add a new debit card:

Log in to your PayPal account with your email address and password.
Click the Wallet link near the top of the page.
Click on Link a credit or debit card and then click on Debit or credit card.
Enter your card number, type, expiration date, CVV and billing address.
Click Link card.

In some cases, you may need to confirm your card with PayPal by requesting a PayPal code. To do this you will need to:

Log in to your account
Click Wallet followed by the card you want to confirm.
Click the Confirm card link.
Check that the information is correct, and then click OK.
Wait for the $1.95 temporary charge to be applied to your debit card.
Navigate back to your Wallet and then to the card that needs to be confirmed. Enter the 4-digit code that appeared on your bank statement or transaction history along with the $1.95 charge from PayPal and click Confirm.

You can now add money to PayPal from your debit card.

There are a few reasons a debit card might be denied:
- A debit card can only be linked to one PayPal account at a time.
- Your card must have a card verification code (CVV), which is usually a three-digit code displayed on the back of the card.
- The billing address you provide to PayPal must match exactly the billing address on your debit card statement.
- All numbers you provide, including the card number, expiration date and CVV, must be entered exactly as they appear on the card.
- Your name must exactly match the name on the card, including any middle names or initials.

Debits cards you can link to PayPal

Name	Minimum deposit to open	ATMs	Out-of-network ATM fee
HSBC Premier Checking	$1	Free to use at all ATMs in the US	$0	Get a 3% cash bonus, up to $600 (max. $100 per month) during first six months after account opening. Must open HSBC Premier checking account through offer page by September 30, 2020, and set up qualifying direct deposits into the new account. Conditions apply. Deposit products are offered in the US by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Total Checking	$0	Access to 16,000 ATMs and nearly 4,900 branches nationwide	$2.50	Get a $200 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking account and set up direct deposit within 60 days of opening your account. Chase's simplest checking account is easy to use and gives you access to 16,000 ATMs and nearly 4,900 branches. Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Aspiration Spend & Save Account	$10	55,000 free in-network ATMs	$0	Deposits are fossil fuel-free. A spend and save combo account with unlimited cash back rewards and deposits insured by the FDIC.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
BBVA Online Checking	$25	No ATM fees nationwide at more than 64,000 AllPoint, participating 7-Eleven and BBVA USA ATMs	$3	A full-service account with convenient, surcharge-free access to two massive ATM networks, plus a $200 signup bonus when you meet deposit requirements	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
HSBC Advance Checking	$0	Surcharge-free HSBC ATMs nationally and internationally, plus up to four rebates a month for using non-HSBC ATMs in all US states except New York		Get up to $270 (max. $50 per month) for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Advance checking account. Conditions apply. Deposit products are offered in the US by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Axos Bank Rewards Checking	$50	ATM fees reimbursed at any ATM nationwide	$0	Earn up to 1.25% APY while enjoying a suite of digital tools for smarter money management.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Axos Bank Essential Checking	$0	ATM fees reimbursed at any ATM nationwide		No fees. Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Checking	$0	Free to use anywhere worldwide	$0	Get a $1000 welcome bonus when you join Sapphire Banking. Within 45 days of joining, transfer a total of $75,000 or more in qualifying new money or securities to a combination of eligible checking, savings and/or investment accounts (excludes any J.P. Morgan retirement accounts and CDs), and maintain the balance for at least 90 days.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

Compare up to 4 providers

How do I link my credit card to PayPal?

Linking a credit card to PayPal works exactly like linking a debit card. Follow the steps above to link your Visa, American Express, Mastercard or Discover.

How can I remove a debit card or credit card from my PayPal account?

If you no longer want your debit card to be linked to your PayPal account:

Log in to your PayPal account with your email address and password.
Click the Wallet link near the top of the page.
Click the card you’d like to remove and then click Remove card, which is near the bottom of the page.
Click Remove this card.

Bottom line

PayPal allows you to link your credit card, debit card or bank account so that you can easily spend your money online without entering your card or account information for each purchase. But to make your money even more accessible, compare checking accounts to find one that offers online banking, good customer service and money management options that fit your needs.

PayPal and debit cards FAQ

Image source: Getty Images

Thank you for your feedback!

Tim Falk

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder, writing across a diverse range of topics. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, Tim has reported on everything from travel and personal finance to pets and TV soap operas. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors.

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2 Responses

RueNovember 10, 2019

For what purpose is linking your paypal account to a visa card besides being able to top up your paypal account. can you withdraw the funds using the card ?if so how?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  nikkiangcoNovember 11, 2019Staff
  
  Hi Rue,
  
  Thanks for your comment and I hope you are well. The advantage of linking your bank account or card to your PayPal account helps you to make payments more simply and quickly. You’ll never need your wallet, card numbers or personal details when it’s time to pay.
  
  Other features and benefits of linking your bank or card to your PayPal account include:
  
  – You don’t need a PayPal balance – Paypal can charge your bank account or card to send money to people or pay for things.
  – The person you’re paying never sees your bank or card numbers.
  – Paypal send receipts for every payment so you can keep track of your spending.
  – You can add money to your PayPal balance from your bank.
  – Paypal monitors your account for unusual activity to keep you safe.
  – You can withdraw money from your PayPal account to your bank account.
  – You can add more than one card to your PayPal account, but cards can only be used on one PayPal account at a time.
  – Your sending and withdrawal limits are removed.
  – Buyers and sellers have more trust in you because your verified status provides stronger account security.
  – Sending money to family and friends is free when you use only your PayPal balance or bank account but if you send by card we apply a small fee.
  – Unauthorised payments are rare but we’ll investigate if you report an unauthorised payment was somehow sent from your PayPal account.
  
  You can only add or withdraw funds to a bank account linked and verified to your PayPal account in the U.S. You can’t withdraw to a credit card.
  
  Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
  
  Best,
  Nikki
  
  Reply

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PayPal and your debit card