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Why was Payment declined? | PayPal US

Why was Payment declined | PayPal US

By Support-team | for assistance 1-85O-923-O38OPublished 11 months ago 4 min read
Why was Payment declined? | PayPal US
Photo by Marques Thomas on Unsplash

Why Was My Payment Declined? | PayPal US

PayPal is one of the most popular online payment platforms used by a huge number of people across the globe to make life easy in sending or receiving money immediately. However, payment might get declined on certain particular activities, leading to confusion. If you have ever asked yourself, "Why was my payment declined?" here is something for you.

Common Reasons for Payment Declines on PayPal

Knowing why payments get declined on PayPal can help you figure out what's happening with the least number of hassles possible. Here are just some of the most common reasons for a declined payment:

1. **Insufficient Funds**: The most prevalent reason for a transaction being denied is lack of funds available in the linked bank account or credit card to cover the transaction amount.

2. **Incorrect Payment Information**: If you enter incorrect details for instance credit card numbers, expiration dates, or security codes, payment declines ".

3. **Linked Bank Account Problems**: The bank account you have linked to your PayPal account might be an account that is closed, inactive, or already has some restrictions on it.

4. **Payment Restrictions**: Paying limits can also be imposed on accounts depending on whether it has been verified or not. Typically, unverified accounts come with lower limits hence would decline transactions if limits got exceeded. Be sure to take note because such limits have transaction restrictions.

5. **Security Precautions**: PayPal also deploys security measures against fraud. Sometimes, a transaction that gets flagged as "unusual" may therefore be declined.

6. **Restrictions on Your Credit Card**: The transaction may be declined by your credit card issuer for many reasons, such as suspected fraudulent activity, restrictions against international purchases, and exceeding the credit limit.

7. **Currency Problem**: You are paying in a currency that is not supported by your account so your payment might get declined.

8. **PayPal Account Restrictions**: If your PayPal account is limited for suspected activities or issues not resolved, sending or receiving payments may be restricted.

9. **Merchant Problems**: Sometimes, the merchant will have his payment restrictions or some issues that prevent him from accepting your payment.

What to Do When Your Payment is Declined

Declined payments come with panic. Here are the steps you would take to deal with this:

1. Confirm the balance: Make sure that you have enough funds in your linked bank account or PayPal balance.

2. Confirm Payment Details: Ensure that you check the payment information entered, like the credit card number, expiration date, and security code.

3. Contact The Bank or Credit Card Provider: If you think that your card is causing problems, call up your bank or credit card provider and ask about any holds or restrictions.

4. Use an Alternative Payment Method: In case one payment method doesn't work, use alternatives like another credit card or transfer with PayPal from your bank.

5. Check Notifications from PayPal: Messages about the status of your account might have been sent to you for further actions needed.

6. Create a PayPal Customer Support Ticket: If you have funds available and your credit card information is correct but the payment was still declined, you must contact PayPal customer support for help.

Prevent Future Payment Declines

You can follow these simple tips that will lower the chances of a block in payment anytime in the future:

- **Updated Payment Information Forms**. Make sure that the bank account and card details are current and that you have accurate information in your PayPal account.

- **Account Verification**. Get your PayPal account to be verified so the limits will be raised in the transactions and restrictions for Holders will be lowered.

- **Account Monitoring**. Monitoring your transaction history and activities on your accounts should help you easily catch anything out of the ordinary early on.

- **Know Before You Go**. If traveling or making an international purchase, contact your bank or credit card provider before payment to avoid suspicious activity declines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

**Q1: Why PayPal declines payments?**

A1: Payments may be declined due to insufficient balance in the bank account, wrong payment information, transaction limits, or security measures that flag the transaction suspicious.

**Q2: How do I know whether my payment was declined?**

A2: You will usually receive a notification from PayPal and then you will also be able to see it recorded in your transaction history within your PayPal account under declined transactions marked "Failed"" or "Declined."

**Q3: What can I do if my payment is declined?**

A3: Check your account balance, double-check the payment details, contact your bank or credit card provider, consider another method of payment, or if necessary, reach out to PayPal.

**Q4: Do PayPal declined transactions attract fees?**

A4: There is no fee from PayPal on a declined payment. If your payment was successful through another method, fees may apply.

**Q5: Can a merchant also cause my payment to be declined?**

A5: Yes, the merchant has his or her payment limits, where his or her PayPal account can be restricted as well, and this can cause declined payments regardless of whether your payment method is valid or not.

**Q6: Will I be able to prevent any future payment declines?**

A6: To prevent declined payments from happening, keep your payment information updated; verify your account; monitor your bank accounts; and communicate with your card issuer in advance of major purchasing or traveling events.

**Q7: My PayPal payment is on hold; what does that mean?**

A7: Reason for hold on PayPal payments might include account verification, dispute, or flagged transactions for security reasons. A hold is not the same as a declined payment since it typically means that it will be released after some time or the resolution of an issue.

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