How to delete your PayPal account permanently, and what to keep in mind before you do (2024)

PayPal’s new policy came under fire on social media after the company updated it toinclude a $2,500 fine for expressing what it deems misinformation.

The company’s shares were down nearly 6% after the new policy, Reuters reported. PayPal subsequently backtracked and apologized for the causing confusion.

“This language was never intended to be inserted in our policy. Our teams have made appropriate updates to correct these inaccuracies,” spokesperson Justin Higgs told The Washington Post.

Elon Musk, several Republican figureheadsand former PayPal President David Marcus were among the critical voices on Twitter. Many took to the company's most recent tweetto reply with criticismor share that they were deleting their account.

How to delete PayPal

If you’re looking to move your transactions elsewhere or simply don’t use the app anymore, you can follow these steps to delete your PayPal account.

To delete your account from desktop:

  1. Click “Settings” next to “Log out.”
  2. Find “Account options” and select “Close your account.”
  3. Enter your bank account if requested.
  4. Click “Close Account.”

To delete your account from the PayPal app on your mobile phone:

  1. Click on the profile icon in the top left corner.
  2. Scroll down and find “Close your account.”
  3. Click “Close Account.”

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Why can’t I delete my PayPal account?

If you’re having trouble deleting your account, it may be because there are some loose ends you need to tie up. PayPal warns you won’t be able to delete your account if there are unresolved issues or a balance. PayPal also sometimes places limitations on accounts if they detect suspicious activity, rendering a user unable to delete their account.

Common reasons for limitations placed on accounts:

  • An unauthorized person is using your account.
  • You failed to comply with regulatory requirements, like providing proper documentation.
  • You’re not following PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy.
  • There’s a high number of buyer claims and chargebacks on your account.
  • PayPal needs to review a sudden change in what or how much you sell.

What happens when you delete your PayPal account?

Make sure to withdraw all the money remaining in your PayPal account before you close it, so you don’t lose funds.

PayPal will cancelunpaid requests for money upon account deletion,and the user will also lose access to coupons and codes from PayPal.

You also won’t be able to use a PayPal Smart Connect account, the company’s in-house line of credit, after deleting your account.

Can I delete my PayPal and start over?

No – once you delete your account, it’s gone for good. According to PayPal, you can open a new account, but it won’t include the same transaction history as your old account.

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As an enthusiast well-versed in financial technology and online payment platforms, I have closely followed the developments in the digital payment industry, including the policies and actions of major players like PayPal. My in-depth knowledge stems from continuous research and staying abreast of the latest updates in this dynamic sector.

Now, delving into the provided article about PayPal's new policy, there are several key concepts that need to be explored:

  1. PayPal's Updated Policy and Backtracking:

    • The article mentions that PayPal faced backlash on social media due to an updated policy that included a $2,500 fine for expressing what it deems misinformation.
    • The company's shares experienced a nearly 6% decline following the announcement.
    • PayPal later backtracked on the policy and apologized for the confusion, emphasizing that the language was not intended to be part of their policy.
  2. Reactions from Public Figures:

    • Elon Musk, Republican figureheads, and former PayPal President David Marcus were among those criticizing the new policy on Twitter.
    • The fact that influential individuals and figures in the industry expressed disapproval adds significance to the controversy.
  3. User Reactions and Account Deletion:

    • Users expressed their discontent by replying to the company's tweets with criticism or announcing the deletion of their accounts.
    • The article provides steps on how users can delete their PayPal accounts both from desktop and the mobile app.
  4. Reasons for Account Limitations:

    • The article outlines common reasons why PayPal may limit accounts, including unauthorized use, failure to comply with regulatory requirements, violations of PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy, a high number of buyer claims, chargebacks, or the need for a review due to sudden changes in selling behavior.
  5. Challenges in Deleting PayPal Accounts:

    • Users may face difficulties in deleting their accounts if there are unresolved issues or a balance.
    • PayPal may impose limitations on accounts if suspicious activity is detected.
  6. Consequences of Deleting an Account:

    • Users are advised to withdraw any remaining funds before closing their PayPal accounts to avoid losing money.
    • Upon account deletion, unpaid requests for money will be canceled, and users will lose access to coupons and codes from PayPal. Additionally, they won't be able to use a PayPal Smart Connect account.
  7. Limitations on Starting Over:

    • The article clarifies that once an account is deleted, it cannot be recovered. While users can open a new account, it won't retain the transaction history of the old account.

This comprehensive overview provides a detailed understanding of the events surrounding PayPal's policy update, the ensuing controversy, and the implications for users considering account deletion.

How to delete your PayPal account permanently, and what to keep in mind before you do (2024)

FAQs

How to delete your PayPal account permanently, and what to keep in mind before you do? ›

Before you close your PayPal account, remove any money from your PayPal balance. If there's a chance that you might want to use PayPal in the future, you can keep your account open. If you notice a payment that you didn't authorize, please report it right away in the Resolution Center.

What to do before deleting PayPal account? ›

Before you close your PayPal account, remove any money from your PayPal balance. If there's a chance that you might want to use PayPal in the future, you can keep your account open. If you notice a payment that you didn't authorize, please report it right away in the Resolution Center.

Does PayPal keep your information after you delete your account? ›

If you no longer want PayPal to process your data for the purposes of providing you with financial or other services, please close your account. If you close your account, PayPal will retain the data until the retention period has elapsed and there's no other legal reason to keep it longer.

What happens when I delete my PayPal account? ›

What happens when you delete a PayPal account? After you close your PayPal account, there's no way back. All the information associated with your account, such as transaction history and PayPal balance, will be permanently deleted from PayPal servers and you will not be able to restore it.

How do I safely delete PayPal? ›

Log in to your PayPal account in any web browser. Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner to view your account settings. Under the Account tab, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Close your account. Finally, hit Close Account on the pop-up that appears.

Why I Cannot delete my PayPal account? ›

If you have any pending payments or unresolved issues on the account, you won't be able to close it. Double check your account is in good standing before you try to shut PayPal down, by logging in and looking at the Resolution Center. To resolve issues, you may need to contact customer service.

Can we delete PayPal account permanently? ›

To close your account on the web:
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click Close your account under "Account options".
  3. Click Close Account.

Does deleting PayPal delete history? ›

If your account is closed, all related data will be automatically erased once the required retention period has elapsed. This period starts from the date the account was closed. However, you can still request the erasure of their data by contacting Customer Service via phone or chat.

Can someone steal my bank info from PayPal? ›

Unfortunately, scammers are only getting better at bypassing these measures and stealing your money and sensitive information. ✅ Take action: If you've been scammed on PayPal, your bank account, email, and even your identity could be at risk.

Does closing my PayPal account delete my data? ›

For legal and regulatory reasons, we're required to keep some of your data for up to 10 years after your account features have been permanently deactivated. PayPal recognizes your right to request deletion of your data, and we work to delete what we can of your information during this required period.

Can you open a PayPal account after deleting it? ›

No. Once you close your PayPal account, it cannot be reopened.

Does deleting PayPal account affect credit score? ›

Closing your account

If you close your PayPal account without paying the outstanding balance due, this will further harm your credit score.

How much time does it take to delete PayPal account? ›

After submitting a request to close your PayPal account, it may take up to 30 days for the closure process to be completed. During this time, ensure that you've settled any outstanding transactions and transferred any remaining funds.

Does PayPal automatically delete your account? ›

If an account remains inactive and no longer has a positive balance, PayPal may close the account in accordance with the PayPal User Agreement section “Closing your PayPal Account”.

How do I permanently delete my PayPal account without logging in? ›

You can't delete a PayPal account without logging in first. This is to make sure that only you, the account owner, can close it down and nobody else by mistake or on purpose. Check out how to verify your PayPal account.

How do I stay safe on PayPal? ›

What you can do to help protect your personal info
  1. Create unique passwords. Use a different password for every account. ...
  2. Keep your devices updated. Stay current with software security updates on all your devices and only download trusted apps and operating systems. ...
  3. More ways to help safeguard your personal info. ...
  4. Learn more.

Should I delete data when closing PayPal account? ›

PayPal recognizes your right to request deletion of your data, and we work to delete what we can of your information during this required period. You don't need to ask us to delete this data; we'll automatically delete the data unless there are exceptional reasons to keep it. Was this article helpful?

Can I delete my PayPal account and start again with the same number? ›

No. Once you close your PayPal account, it cannot be reopened. But you can open a new account.

How long does it take for a PayPal account to be deleted? ›

After submitting a request to close your PayPal account, it may take up to 30 days for the closure process to be completed. During this time, ensure that you've settled any outstanding transactions and transferred any remaining funds.

Can I open a new PayPal account with the same email? ›

When an email address is linked to a PayPal account, it identifies that account uniquely and cannot be added to any other PayPal account at the same time. If you wish to use an email address that is already linked to a different account, you must first remove it from that account.

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