In as much as PayPal is a straightforward and easy platform to use, you are bound to encounter several challenges from time to time. Here are some of the most common ones and here is how you can overcome them.
- “We’re sorry, but we can’t send your payment right now.” This is PayPal preventing the exit of funds from your account due to unusual activity. Several causes can be the reason. For instance, your account is new and unverified, it’s the first payment you are sending, you have logged into your account from a new device/internet connection or you are using open WiFi. For the problem to go away, wait for a few hours and then request the person you are sending a payment to to send you an invoice. Avoid using WiFi and ONLY log in using your normal device.
- Verify your account. You do this by linking a debit/credit card. You can use your local Visa/Master card to do this. Make sure you have about Kes.300 in the card before linking it. After you fill the card details, a small amount will be charged. That transaction will appear on your card statement alongside a 4-digit code that you will then fill to complete the verification process.
- “Your payment has been put under review for…” The problem might be with the sender or it could be among the first payments you have received through PayPal. If the funds have been held for 24hrs, wait till 24hrs lapse. On most occasions, the funds will be released to you but on others it will be cancelled and returned to the sender. If the hold is for 21 days, go to that transaction and mark the order as processed. Talk to the sender and request him/her that you have already delivered what you were paid for. This way, you won’t have to wait for 21 days.
- “Your PayPal account is limited until…” This is every PayPal user’s nightmare. The reasons why your PayPal account can get limited are literally unlimited. So what do you do? Go to the resolution center or your primary PayPal email address and see what they are requesting from you. Normally they will request for stuff like your ID, bank statement, proof of business registration, explanation of your mode of business, utility bill etc. Get all this information and upload it within the given time. In most cases, your account access will be restored.
- “You need to confirm your identity.” This one is easy to solve. Log in to your account, go to the dashboard and upload the required information. In most cases, this will be your identity card and bank statement or utility bill.
- “Add a funding source.” This happens when you are trying to send more money than is available in your account balance. Ensure the amount you are sending is less than your balance. Secondly, the recipient’s account must be set to accept the type of currency you are trying to send. The default currency is USD. So if for instance you have CAD and the recipient only accepts USD, you will get this error. The other reason may be that your account is new and you first have to accept the payment you were sent for it to reflect in your account and be available for use.