PayPal credit card payments

A few people have recently reported problems making their pledge towards a project with their credit card using PayPal. There are many possible causes that can result in such credit card errors, and PayPal doesn’t give specific explanations on how to  make the payment go through processing again, with the same or different credit card.

Here are some causes for credit card rejections and possible solutions:

The Credit Card Is Linked or Associated with a PayPal Account

Mostly the reason a credit card is not accepted by PayPal when using it without signing into a PayPal account is that the credit card is already linked to a specific PayPal account. If you’re using a credit card that is linked or assigned to a PayPal account, try login to PayPal during the payment process. You can change the source of funding to make the payment with after you are logged in. You can opt to use your credit card instead of your PayPal balance.
The Credit Card Is Previously Used in PayPal Account or Assigned in Closed PayPal Account

PayPal remembers a credit card’s details even when it’s already been removed from the account. The information will also be remembered even if the PayPal account which linked to the credit card is closed and deleted. In this case, try another credit card, or assign the credit card to a PayPal account, and pay with the account by logging in.

PayPal Limit on Non-Member Credit Card Usage

According to PayPal, there is a limit based on the number of times, the amount of the transactions, the type of merchandise being bought, that a credit card can be used within the system without having to verify ownership by opening an account. The restriction is for security and fraud protection reasons. There is no workaround to this limitation, but you should be able to use another credit card. If there is problem, try using another email address. Or else, register a PayPal account.

Credit Card or Email Address Raises Flag in the Transaction

Closely linked to reasons above, some part of the transaction raises a flag on the server that stops the payment. Two possible flags are on credit card or email address. Try changing either the credit card or e-mail address or both when attempting to pay again.

Cookies Problem

Try using another web browser and/or delete cookies and attempt to pay with the PayPal gateway using your credit card again.

Credit Card Is Not Confirmed in Account

Contrary to some of the reasons above, if the credit card has been linked to an account, but not yet confirmed, try to complete all credit card information such as Card Verification Number or Security Code, and confirm the card by entering the PayPal code shown on the credit card statement on special refundable charge by PayPal.

In all cases, the problem won’t arise if you add the credit card to PayPal account, and use it as funding source to pay the transaction through your PayPal account.

A Country is not supported
Paypal regularly expands the countries it serves. However, lately also a few countries have been removed from the supported lists. In this case backers should use a card issued in a supported country or contact us for a wire transfer.