PayPal Security for Buyers and Sellers (2024)

We know sometimes things don’t go smoothly as planned. Therefore, if an eligible item you’ve bought online doesn’t arrive or doesn’t match the seller’s description, we can reimburse you for the full purchase amount of the item plus postage.

Buyer Protection

If an eligible item that you’ve bought online doesn’t arrive, or doesn’t match the seller’s description, PayPal's Buyer Protection may reimburse you for the full amount of the item plus postage. Buyer Protection can cover your eligible online purchases, on eBay or on any other website, when you use PayPal. Conditions apply.

More about Buyer Protection.

For more information on the specific terms of the Buyer Protection applying to you, see our User Agreement.

What's Covered?

Physical goods that can be posted and which do not violate PayPal policies. Here are a few examples of situations where an item doesn’t match the seller’s description: You bought a book and got a DVD, you bought a new item but got something that was used, you bought 3 items but only got 2, the item was damaged during delivery, the item is missing major parts (that the seller didn’t disclose), or you purchased an authentic brand but got a fake instead.

What's not Covered?

Intangible items like services, real estate, motorized vehicles (of any kind), custom made items, travel tickets, industrial machinery (for manufacturing), prepaid or gift cards, anything you buy in person, or items that violate PayPal's policies or eBay’s policies. You must open a dispute within 180 days or you will not be covered.

General Guidelines.

  • Disputes can be opened for certain, tangible and physical goods only
  • Full item cost has to be covered in one payment
  • The buyer can open a dispute within 180 days of the date the payment was made
  • If the buyer and the seller cannot reach a mutual agreement, the dispute can be escalated to a claim within 20 days after opening the dispute
  • Buyers cannot open several disputes for the same payment

Refunds.

If an item doesn’t arrive or doesn't match the description, and your payment is eligible, we’ll reimburse the full cost of eligible purchases paid, including shipping costs.

We're Here For You.

Get our full support for unauthorized transactions, claims or any other concern you might have. Just reach out to our Customer Service.

Contact Us

Seller Protection

If you received an unauthorized payment or a buyer claims he never received his item, our Seller Protection can help you get the full amount of an eligible payment, subject of the Claim, Chargeback, or Reversal and waive the Chargeback Fee, if applicable. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you may be protected.

For more information, see our User Agreement.

Terms and Conditions

Seller Protection covers tangible and intangible items (including services travel and tickets) paid for in one installment with PayPal and, where applicable, shipped to the shipping address registered during the transaction (see our User Agreement).

Documentation to be provided

A - Tangible items:
Keep the Proof of Postage (minimum) or Proof of Delivery for the goods that you sell. They may be requested in case of a dispute.
B - Intangible items (including services travel and tickets):
We will ask you to provide Proof of Delivery to show the purchase order was fulfilled and includes all of the following:

  • The date the item or service was provided;
  • The recipient’s address (email/IP, etc.) where applicable

Exemptions from the program

Our Seller Protection program does not cover:

  • Claims or Chargebacks for Significantly Not as Described.
  • Items that you deliver in person, including at a point of sale.
  • Digital goods and licences for digital content.
  • Items equivalent to cash (including, without limitation, gift cards or vouchers).
  • Gold Bullion.
  • PayPal Direct Payments (including Virtual Terminal Payments and Website Payments Pro/Plus payments).
  • Mass Payment / Payouts.
  • Counterfeit goods.
  • Items that are not shipped to the recipient address. If you originally ship the item to the recipient address but the item is later redirected to a different address, you will not be eligible for PayPal Seller Protection. We therefore recommend not using a shipping service that is arranged by the buyer, so that you will be able to provide valid proof of shipping and delivery.
  • Donations.
  • Financial products and investments.

Our tips

  • Check the shipping address: never send your item to an address that is different from the one provided by PayPal.
  • Track your item: always use a shipping service that includes an online tracking system and Proof of Delivery, as you can reassure your worried customers by providing a tracking number.
  • Keep your customers informed: if there are unforeseen delivery delays, remember to tell your customers.
  • Identify high-risk behavior: multiple orders to the same address in a short space of time, orders for high-risk countries, etc. In case of doubt, do not hesitate to call your customer to check the contact information and the identity of the card holder. If you think it is a fraud, cancel the transaction and do not send the order.

We're here to help

In case of Unauthorized Transactions, buyer claims, or any other problems you may have, we will help you find a solution. Contact our Customer Service.
Contact us

Your safety is our priority.

No matter where you shop, our security is always the same. So buy with peace of mind from thousands of online stores around the globe. The world is yours.

Chargebacks.

A buyer may request a chargeback or fund reversal from PayPal, or his credit card company, but he may not pursue both at the same time or seek a double recovery. PayPal may put a hold on the funds in the seller’s account to cover a request. We're here to help and will inform you of every step of the process to resolve a case.

Security around the clock.

We monitor every transaction 24/7 to help prevent against fraud, email phishing and identity theft. Every transaction is heavily guarded behind our next-level encryption. If something seems suspicious, our dedicated team of security specialists is immediately on it to help protect you from fraudulent transactions. And remember, we never ask for any sensitive information from you in an email.

Your information is secured.

When you pay with PayPal, your financial information is never shared with the seller, and you can pay using only your email address and password. If you forget your login, you can recover it by yourself or Contact us if you need help.

Helpful security links.

  • Contact Customer Service
  • Help to avoid disputes and chargebacks
  • Help to resolve disputes and chargebacks
  • Help to avoid fraud
  • Visit the PayPal Help Center
  • Policy Guide
  • Resolution Center
PayPal Security for Buyers and Sellers (2024)

FAQs

Does PayPal protect both buyer and seller? ›

If you received an unauthorized payment or a buyer claims he never received his item, our Seller Protection can help you get the full amount of an eligible payment, subject of the Claim, Chargeback, or Reversal and waive the Chargeback Fee, if applicable.

How secure is PayPal for sellers? ›

We monitor every transaction, 24/7 to prevent fraud, email phishing and identity theft. Every transaction is heavily guarded behind our advanced encryption. If something seems fishy, our dedicated team of security specialists will identify suspicious activity and help protect you from fraudulent transactions.

Will PayPal protect me if I get scammed? ›

We don't reveal your financial information to sellers. And if something goes wrong with an order and your transaction qualifies for Buyer Protection, we'll reimburse you for the full purchase price plus any original shipping costs.

How can sellers protect themselves on PayPal? ›

To defend yourself against a claim, you may need to provide PayPal transaction information, like:
  1. Proof of delivery, like a third-party shipping receipt, tracking number or signature confirmation.
  2. Proof you delivered a replacement or issued a refund if the buyer received their order but there was a problem with it.
Feb 23, 2024

What is not covered by PayPal buyer protection? ›

Most purchases of products and services are covered except real estate, businesses, vehicles, custom-made items, industrial machinery, items equivalent to cash, anything you buy in person and items prohibited by PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy.

Can you get a refund if you get scammed on PayPal? ›

You have 180 days after the purchase to make a dispute. If the seller doesn't respond or you can't resolve the issue, here's how to make a claim with PayPal: Log into your PayPal account and visit the Resolution Center. Click “Report a Problem.”

Is PayPal safer than Venmo? ›

Additionally, Venmo does not offer a refund policy in the case of scams as PayPal does. Both of these things make Venmo safety slightly more difficult. It makes users more vulnerable to scams or monetary losses. Venmo and PayPal are similar in their user security.

Does PayPal ever side with the seller? ›

Do Sellers Ever Win PayPal Disputes? Sellers can win PayPal disputes, but only by submitting the right evidence to prove that the customer's claims are false.

Is paying with PayPal safer than credit card? ›

If you're still wondering whether PayPal is safer than a credit card, you should know that both payment methods come with similar security protections and features, though PayPal may have the slight edge with its built-in purchase protections (which may not be available on specific credit cards).

Can hackers steal money through PayPal? ›

When a scammer has successfully hacked into somebody else's PayPal account (often by using a phishing scam), they can make purchases and send payments with the money from the account they've taken over.

Can you get scammed accepting payment through PayPal? ›

The most common PayPal scams include phishing, Bitcoin scams, overpayment scams, and invoice scams. They usually involve social engineering tactics to trick you into entering your address, credit card info, or password.

How do I make sure I don't get scammed on PayPal? ›

Know who you are dealing with. Don't list someone else's address on your PayPal account. Verify your suppliers and don't send money to someone you don't know. Only ship items to the address on the Transaction Details page.

What protection does a seller have on PayPal? ›

Our Seller Protection helps guard against losing money to claims, chargebacks, and reversals. You're covered for the total purchase amount on all eligible transactions.

Why am I no longer eligible for PayPal seller protection? ›

To ensure a safer transaction environment, your eligibility for PayPal Seller Protection may be suspended during regular account reviews. This usually happens when one or more of the following activities are detected on your PayPal account: There's an increased risk associated with your PayPal account.

How much does PayPal purchase protection cost the seller? ›

These complaints can affect your merchant PayPal balance. But with Seller Protection, if the transaction meets our requirements, we'll help keep your balance intact. There's no additional charge for this service; we want your transactions to be protected.

Does PayPal charge both buyer and seller? ›

The seller is responsible for all fees for a transaction (not only PayPal but also Square, credit cards, etc.)

How does PayPal work between buyer and seller? ›

When the buyer sends payment, the funds are transferred from their bank account to the seller's PayPal account. The electronic payment is essentially funded by the buyer's bank. An e-check must clear the bank before it is credited to the recipient's PayPal account.

Can a seller get scammed on PayPal? ›

Hacked PayPal Scams

A seller might receive notice of a purchase and ship an item, only to later be told by PayPal that the transaction was fraudulent and that the transaction must be reversed. PayPal's Seller Protection Program can reimburse merchants in these situations if the transaction is eligible.

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