PayPal is one of the most used online payment services in the world and there are a few things you need to know before you start using it.PayPal has become one of the leading online payment platforms, and alongside other services such as Google Pay, it has provided a modern alternative to cash and check transactions in recent years. However, there are still many people who are not familiar with this service and all that it can offer. That is why, in this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about PayPal and its use. So you can’t miss it.
What is Paypal?
PayPal is one of the largest online payment platforms in the world, with a presence in more than 200 countries in 25 different currencies.
It has grown tremendously since the days when it was best known for allowing payments on eBay, with millions of active customers. Its long history, wide variety of features, and secure payments give it an edge over competitors like Venmo, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay, among others.
In addition, the service allows you to make online purchases through Amazon (meeting some requirements), eBay, or any other online store, or to make simple money transfers between other PayPal accounts or supported bank accounts around the world.
You can even use it to pay in the App Store from your iPhone or iPad, and with strong fraud protection for both buyers and sellers, it’s one of the safest and most dependable methods of internet money transfer.
Is it Safe to Use PayPal?
PayPal is quite safe to use for simple money transfers or buying products online. Their buyer protection program is similar to what you get with a credit card, and all your data is encrypted and secure. Customer service, on the other hand, is not as good as what you would have with a traditional credit card company, so disputes can take longer to resolve.
The situation is a little more difficult for sellers. Although the firm provides certain limited seller protection schemes, it often sides with the buyer in disputes over costs, even if the accusations are dubious. PayPal is also not FDIC insured, so in the unlikely event that the business disappears, you could lose your balance. In addition, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication is recommended, and it pays to be skeptical of disreputable buyers or sellers, as well as to take precautions with your online financial data to avoid falling for some of the more common scams.
You can also link your account to a credit card instead of a debit card and disable instant transfers from your bank account. This provides you with the extra security of contesting the claim with both your credit card provider and PayPal.
How to Send Money
Sending money to friends and family is one of the main features that PayPal has, especially for those who do not have reliable banks or for those who live abroad. The entire process can be done in less than a minute from your smartphone or computer, and all you need is someone’s name, email address, or phone number, follow these steps:
- Open the app or go to the PayPal website.
- Select Send and Request from the drop-down menu.
- Enter the email address or phone number of the person who will be receiving the message.
- Click on the Next button.
- Select Send to a friend or Pay for an item or service, as the case may be.
- Click Continue after entering the amount you want to send.
- Verify the information and click on Send money now.
How to Receive Money in PayPal
Receiving or requesting money in PayPal is also very easy. In fact, you don’t need to do anything at all to withdraw or use the money that was transferred to your account. Once the transaction is complete, you will receive a notification and the funds will be ready to be used.
To request money, you simply have to go to the Transfers page and click on the Request option. You can even request money from people who don’t have an account yet under certain circumstances. So you shouldn’t have too much trouble starting to receive money on the platform.
How to Use PayPal in a Store
To use PayPal in a store, you have two options at your disposal. The first of them is to use the NFC technology of your smartphone, as you can do other mobile payment applications such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, and other similar services.
The other option is to request and use one of the physical PayPal cards backed by Mastercard. There are several types of these cards, and depending on whether you have a personal or business account, you can request the one that best suits you. These cards can be used like any other Mastercard in stores, even if they are not explicitly compatible with PayPal.
And you, do you already know how to use PayPal?