How to Spot a Paypal Scam

1. Avoid clicking links in email messages to go to a financial Web site like PayPal. If you get an email asking you to do something on the site, navigate to the site directly by typing the URL into your browser and see if you can find information about the request there. A link in an email might divert you to a different site designed to look like the real thing.
2. Be aware of suspicious-looking email in your inbox. Signs include messages directed to the wrong email address or an email sent to an address that isn't your primary account.
3. Review the greeting within the email. If the email does not identify you by name, you might be dealing with a scam message sent in bulk to many people. A true email from PayPal and other financial institutions will typically have your first and last name included in the message.
4. Check to see that all of the links indicate a secure session by confirming that the URLs begin with "https://."
5. Messages that tell you that there is an immediate need to take action to restore account access are almost always part of a scam.
6. Keep an eye out for seemingly odd requests. Legitimate email from PayPal won't require you to provide personal or financial information through email, including Social Security numbers, account passwords, email addresses, credit card numbers, driver's licenses, bank account numbers or your full name. Never, ever, reply to an email with personal information.
7. Get used to looking for obvious signs of scam emails. You should never see obvious typos in an email from your bank, for example; paying attention to things like poor grammar, misspellings, odd-looking email layouts, and different logos might save you from being scammed.

Why Is My PayPal Payment Pending?

Pending Payments
Some forms of payment cannot be processed instantly when sent from a PayPal account. Payment options such as PayPal eChecks require some or all of the payment amount to be transferred from a checking account or other bank account before the payment can be completed. The transfers required for these payments generally take up to five days to complete, leaving the payment processing until the transfer is complete. Once the transfer is finished, the payment is processed normally.
Transactions Pending Acceptance
When money is sent to an individual who does not have a PayPal account, the transaction is listed as pending until the individual signs up with PayPal and claims the payment. Other situations, such as purchases that require the recipient to manually accept the order, will also list the sent payment as pending until it is accepted. Pending transactions that are not accepted within 30 days of being sent are automatically canceled and will need to be sent again if the payment is still required.
Pending Refunds
If a seller or other individual needs to issue a refund on payments that have been sent previously, the refund transaction may appear as pending when it is first processed. Refunds of previous transactions list themselves as pending if the individual issuing the refund does not have the full refund amount in her PayPal account; the remainder of the refund amount is transferred from a linked bank account. The refund transaction remains pending until the bank transfer completes, a process that can take up to five business days.
Canceling Pending Payments
Pending payments can be canceled by the sender if he no longer wishes to make the payment or wants to attempt to send a different payment type. Payments are canceled by logging into your PayPal account, locating the pending payment in the PayPal transaction history and clicking the 'Cancel' option under the payment's status field. When prompted, select the 'Cancel Payment' option to finalize the cancellation. Transactions cannot be canceled once the payment is complete; a refund must be requested to undo a completed payment.

How do I Use PayPal to Fundraise?

Using PayPal Directly
1. Sign up for a PayPal account. A PayPal account is ideal for smaller fundraisers that don't need the hassle of paying a fee for every transaction. You can't receive or transfer money if you do not have a PayPal account. On the website (see the Resources section) click on the 'Sign Up' button to begin creating your account.
2. Synchronize your PayPal account and the bank account that the fundraising money will be collected in. This requirement will let you withdraw any raised money from the PayPal account and allow you to place it into the bank account. PayPal does this by depositing a small amount of money into your bank account (usually a few cents) and then asking you to confirm the amount. Once this has been done you are ready to begin raising money.
3. Advertise that you are using PayPal to fundraise whether it is at the fundraising event or on your fundraising website. Lots of people own PayPal accounts and if they know there is a safe and secure way of donating money, they will be more likely to give. Because they can donate without divulging any sensitive information, they will be much more likely to donate freely and willingly.Use a program such as Photoshop to create or copy a relevant image to your fundraising event. Write a message such as 'We Accept PayPal Donations' onto the image in big, bold colors; this will help inform and attract donors.
4. Inform your charity givers on how to sign up for PayPal if they don't have an account. This is vital because PayPal can only make transactions between accounts holders. For example, you might consider posting links and instructions on how to sign up to PayPal at the fundraising event. This could be printed on fliers and handouts, published on the fundraising website or given as personal advice at a booth.
5. Keep a receipt of the transaction. This will not only help your company records and finances but can cover any disputes that givers may eventually have. PayPal will always send you a personal email detailing a transaction's giver, date and amount. Don't worry about sending donors a receipt; PayPal will send them one automatically.
6. Set up a donation button. Visit the PayPal Donation Buttons website as cited in the Resources section. PayPal donations allow anybody to transfer money to your account, even if they don't have a PayPal account. Also, these accounts are useful for businesses that are expecting to receive a high volume of donations.The only drawback, however, is that you must own a Premier or Business PayPal account. These accounts charge a flat fee and a percentage of every donation you receive.

How to Add a PayPal Button to a Web Page

1. Locate the 'Profile' tab in your PayPal account. Click to enter the Profile Summary, and look to the right of the three columns in the section titled 'Selling Preferences.'
2. Move down the column and find 'My Saved Buttons.' Click to enter this section. Then look to the right for 'Create New Button' and click to enter.
3. Choose from one of the following options on the page. Accessing this page will provide a series of steps to create the button. The choices include: Shopping Cart, Automatic Billing, Buy It Now, Donations, Gift Certificates, Installment Plan and Subscriptions. The most common option is 'Buy Now' for selling products.
4. Follow the outlined steps on the page to continue. Enter the item being sold and its price in correct currency. Customizing the button for drop-down menus is an option but not necessary for basic function. Enter the shipping cost and tax rate for your area. The final option in this step is choosing to show your merchant ID or email address to buyers.
5. Click the section titled 'Tracking Inventory, Profit and Loss' on the PayPal site. Most of this section is optional, but it does include the option to save a particular button for future use. Click Step 3 to access 'Customize Advance Features,' which provides options for allowing a buyer to change quantities and to leave a message for the seller. Click on the appropriate options.
6. Click 'Create Button' and PayPal will bring up a different page with your generated button code. Copy the code, then paste it into your website. Once it's on the website, click the PayPal button to ensure everything works properly.

How to Create an Online Store With PayPal

1. Set up an account with an online storefront provider such as Pro Stores, QuickEStore, Shop Site or Cube Stores. You will generally have to pay a monthly fee to create and maintain your storefront. The exact fee per month will vary by storefront provider. You can find a listing of all of the third party storefront providers that can be integrated with PayPal on the PayPal website.
2. Log in to your online storefront account with the username and password you created during the account setup process.
3. Begin customizing the look of your online storefront. You will be able to select the template, colors, and layout for your online store.
4. Click the upload button to begin uploading pictures of the items you will be selling in your store. Depending upon the storefront provider, you may be able to arrange your uploaded items into categories, such as shirts, pants, jewelry and shoes. As you upload each item to your online store you will also be able to set the price for your item.
5. Click on your account 'Settings' option for your online store. Select 'PayPal' as your preferred payment option. You will be able to enter the email address that is connected to your PayPal business account.
6. Click 'Save' to save your the changes to your preferred payment option.

About the Pros amp; Cons of Using PayPal

Significance
To get started with PayPal, a bank account and email address are necessary; the payment processor also allows payment with credit cards.
Disadvantages
There are a few inconveniences for users of PayPal. For example, according to flyte.biz, which specializes in Internet marketing, once an item is added to PayPal's shopping cart, a new window opens, which hides the merchant's website and makes additional purchases more difficult.
Benefits
There are no set up fees, merchant accounts, or gateway processors needed to use PayPal. Further, this payment processor only charges between 1.9 and 2.9 percent, plus an additional 30 cents per transaction on purchases.
Warning
Flyte.biz, warns that PayPal clients do not have the same rights and protections as with credit-card companies. Additionally, PayPal occasionally shuts down a client's account without warning.
Considerations
PayPal is generally recommended for people getting started with e-business or those who desire flexibility and simplicity. Those planning on doing a lot of business may consider looking into other options.

How to Use Account Now Debit Cards on PayPal

Establish Account Now Account
1. Visit the Account Now website (see Resources). Click on the “Get My Card” button to sign up for a free card. Upon completing the sign-up process, you will receive your Account Now card in the mail within five to seven business days.
2. Go to the Account Now website to activate your new card. To activate the card, click the “Log In” button at the top of the page. Click the “Activate Card” button. Once your card has been activated, go back to the homepage and click the “Log In” button. Enter your last name, Social Security number and zip code to access your Account Now account.
3. Click on the “Add Money” tab. Select the “Paycheck” option. You will then see a direct deposit form you can print out. On the bottom of the direct deposit form, you will see the bank's routing number as well as your account number. Write down these two sets of numbers so you can reference them later.
Establish PayPal Account
4. Visit the PayPal website (see Resources). Select the option to “Sign Up” for a new PayPal account. You will need an email address in order to sign up. Once signed up, go back to the PayPal homepage and log in to your PayPal account using the email address and password associated with your new PayPal account.
5. Click on the “My Account” tab. Select the “Profile” link. Click on the option labeled “Add or Edit Bank Account.” Click the “Add Bank” button.
6. Ensure that the “Checking” option is selected. Enter the Account Now routing number and your Account Now account number you previously wrote down. Click “Continue.” PayPal will then send two small deposits to your Account Now account. It can take up to 48 to 72 hours for the deposits to hit your account.
Connect the Accounts
7. Log in to your Account Now account. Look in your transaction history to find the two deposit amounts from PayPal. Write down these two deposit amounts.
8. Log in to your PayPal account. Click on the “Confirm” button to confirm your Account Now account. You will be asked to enter the amount for the two small deposits. You will have the option of making your Account Now account your “Primary” account to be used with PayPal.
9. Transfer money from your PayPal account onto your Account Now debit card. To do this, log in to your PayPal account to view your “PayPal Account Balance.” If there is money in your PayPal account, click on the “Withdraw” link located under the “My Account” tab.
10. Click on “Transfer to Bank Account.” Select your Account Now account from the drop-down list.
11. Enter the amount of your PayPal balance that you would like to transfer to your Account Now debit card. Click “Continue” and “Submit.” It can take two to three business days for the money to appear in your Account Now account.