As a small business owner who heavily relies on PayPal to operate, I‘ve learned that keeping your phone number updated is critical. Your phone number acts as an additional security layer that helps protect your account. In this article, we will walk through the step-by-step process to change your phone number, using examples and tips I‘ve picked up managing my own PayPal account.
Why You Should Change Your PayPal Phone Number
PayPal reported having over 429 million active accounts in 2021. With growth exploding, it‘s no wonder small businesses like mine depend on PayPal for convenient digital payments.
But with reliance comes responsibility – you need to keep your PayPal account security tight. Here are three key reasons why you should change your phone number:
- Increased account security – Your phone number helps protect against unauthorized access. Keeping it current ensures you receive vital security notifications from PayPal via call or text.
- Better communication – PayPal may need to call you to verify transactions or help resolve account issues. An updated number guarantees you don‘t miss these important service messages.
- Restoring lost access – If you lose access to your old number, updating your PayPal phone number allows you to securely regain access to your account.
Step 1: Log Into Your PayPal Account
First, access the PayPal website via your computer or mobile app. Sign in using your email and password credentials.
If you‘ve forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" to reset and regain access. Once logged in, you‘ll see your PayPal account homepage.
Step 2: Access Account Settings
Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. This will open up a drop-down menu.
In the drop-down menu, click on "Settings" to access your account settings.
On the Account Settings page, click "Phone numbers" in the menu on the left side of the screen.
This will open the page where you can manage the phone numbers associated with your PayPal account.
Step 4: Update Your Phone Number
On the Phone Numbers page, click the "Edit" button next to your current phone number. This allows you to change your number.
Delete your old number and enter your new phone number. Once entered, click "Link Number".
Step 5: Confirm Your New Number
PayPal will send a 6-digit confirmation code via text to your new phone number. Input this code on the PayPal website to verify your new phone number.
And that‘s it – your phone number is now updated in PayPal! To ensure security, PayPal may ask you to re-verify your number periodically.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter issues changing your number, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Contact PayPal customer support – they can provide dedicated assistance getting it changed.
- Try signing in on a different device or browser – this may help bypass verification prompts temporarily.
- Confirm your current number is verified under account settings – unverified numbers can‘t be changed.
- Wait an hour or two and attempt the number change process again. Sometimes changes take time to fully process in PayPal‘s systems.
Key Takeaways
Changing your phone number on PayPal is an easy process that adds an extra layer of security. Follow these key steps:
- Log into your PayPal account via website or app.
- Under account settings, navigate to the Phone Numbers page.
- Edit your number, enter the new one, and click "Link Number".
- Input the verification code texted to you to confirm the change.
Keeping your PayPal phone number up-to-date helps protect your account and ensures you receive important service messages. As a small business owner, it gives me peace of mind knowing my account is more secure.
