Recovering Your PayPal Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

PayPal allows you to buy and sell merchandise and services online, through links to your credit card or bank account. Sometimes PayPal may suspect fraudulent activity on your account or may lock your account for security purposes. PayPal wants to know at all times who has access to your account. The company notifies you by email that your account is locked. Unlock a PayPal account by contacting the company and providing the personal information required to restore your account.

Step 1

Sign in to your PayPal account.

Step 2

Visit PayPal customer service (see Resources).

Step 3

Click "Call Us" and then click "Call Customer Service." Scroll down to see the customer service number.

Step 4

Call PayPal customer service and enter the web PIN number on your keypad. This is a six-digit PIN number you need for customer service.

Step 5

Follow all instructions from the automated PayPal system on your phone. Speak clearly when the automated voice asks you questions. It asks you why you are calling PayPal, and you must answer each question in order to speak to a customer service agent.

Step 6

Answer all of the questions the customer service agent asks. She will ask about account activity, such as the last time you made a withdrawal, or for personal information such as your Social Security number or current home address.

Step 7

Wait for the customer service agent to unlock your PayPal account. Log in to your account again to see if your have full access to your account.