PayPal is the fastest way to get money back if you have an account
If you are owed a refund or payment and you have a PayPal account, the sender can transfer money directly to your account in minutes. You do not need to provide a mailing address, wait for a check, or give out a credit card number. The money lands in your PayPal balance, and you can leave it there, transfer it to your bank account, or use it to pay for things online.
The catch is that the sender has to know your PayPal email address — the one you use to log in — and you have to have already set up your account. If you do not have PayPal yet, creating one takes about five minutes and requires only an email address and a password.
Key Takeaways
- You need a PayPal account and must share your PayPal email address with the sender before they can send you money.
- Money sent to your PayPal account arrives within minutes and sits in your PayPal balance until you move it or spend it.
- You can transfer money from PayPal to your bank account, but the transfer takes one to three business days and may have a small fee.
- If money is sent to the wrong PayPal account or you do not recognize a payment, you can report it and request a refund through PayPal's resolution center.
Create a PayPal account if you do not have one
Go to paypal.com and click "Sign Up" in the top right corner. Choose whether you want a Personal or Business account — Personal is fine for receiving refunds and payments. Enter your email address, create a password, and add your name and date of birth. PayPal will send a confirmation email to the address you provided; click the link in that email to verify your account.
You do not have to link a bank account or credit card right away. You can receive money with just an email address verified. If you want to transfer money out to your bank later, you will need to add that information then.
Share your PayPal email address with the sender
Your PayPal email is the address you use to log in — not necessarily your main email if you chose a different one during signup. Log into PayPal, click your name in the top right, and select "Account Settings." Under "Email," you will see your registered email address. This is what you give to the person or company sending you the refund or payment.
Double-check that you are sharing the correct address. If the sender uses a slightly different spelling or an old email you no longer use, the money will go to the wrong account and you will have to contact PayPal to recover it.
Confirm the money arrived in your PayPal balance
Once the sender processes the payment, it usually shows up in your PayPal account within a few minutes. Log in and look at your home page — you will see your current balance and a list of recent transactions. If the payment is there, you are done receiving it. The money is now yours to use.
If you do not see the payment after 30 minutes, contact the sender and ask them to confirm they sent it to the correct email address. If they say they did, contact PayPal's customer service and provide them with the transaction details the sender has.
Move money from PayPal to your bank account
If you want the money in your actual bank account instead of your PayPal balance, you have to link a U.S. bank account first. Log into PayPal, click your name, select "Account Settings," and go to "Banks and Cards." Click "Link a Bank Account," enter your routing number and account number (found on the bottom left of a check or through your bank's website), and confirm the link.
Once your bank is linked, go to your PayPal wallet, click "Transfer Money," and select "Transfer to your bank." Choose the amount and the bank account, then click "Transfer Now." The money will arrive in one to three business days. PayPal does not charge a fee for standard transfers, but some banks may charge you a small fee on their end.
Report a payment you did not recognize or sent to the wrong account
If someone sent money to your PayPal account by mistake, or if you received a payment you did not expect, you can report it. Log into PayPal, go to "Resolution Center" (under "Help" at the bottom of the page), and click "Report a Problem." Select the transaction, explain what happened, and PayPal will investigate. If the money was sent in error, you can request a refund and PayPal will walk you through the process.
Do not spend money you believe was sent by mistake. If you do and then report it, PayPal may hold you responsible for returning it. If you are unsure whether a payment is legitimate, contact the sender first to confirm before you move or use the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for money to show up in my PayPal account?
Money sent via PayPal usually arrives within minutes. If it has been more than an hour, ask the sender to confirm they used the correct email address. Occasionally payments take a few hours if PayPal's system is processing a high volume of transactions.
Can I receive money on PayPal without linking a bank account?
Yes. You can receive and hold money in your PayPal balance with just an email address. You only need to link a bank account if you want to transfer the money out to a checking or savings account.
What if I gave the sender the wrong PayPal email address?
Contact PayPal's customer service right away and explain the situation. Provide them with the correct email address and the amount sent. PayPal can sometimes redirect the payment, but the faster you report it, the better your chances.
Is there a limit to how much money I can receive on PayPal?
PayPal does not set a limit on receiving money. However, if you receive large amounts regularly, PayPal may ask you to verify your identity or account information. If you are receiving a refund or one-time payment, this is unlikely to be an issue.
Can I receive money on PayPal if I am under 18?
No. You must be at least 18 years old to open and use a PayPal account. If you are younger, ask a parent or guardian to open an account and receive the money on your behalf.