Seller anonymity??

[Erin1993]

I am very new at Paypal (just signed up today!) and am confused about how the privacy of sellers is protected.

I am a uni student and have a ton of stuff I am selling and people kept wanting to use Paypal.

However, I advertise this stuff using a false name because I am paranoid about people cyber/real life stalking me if they find my info (I know its unlikely). I communicate with buyers through a different name/email, but I signed up for Paypal with my real name and personal email address. For somebody to pay me through Paypal, will they get this info?

What info exactly do I give the buyer to pay me? Do I have a paypal account number or what?

Thanks in advance! All you people seem so lovely/helpful on the other topics.

[snowshoe]

Just some thoughts to consider:

You can provide people with just your email address and they can send you funds (assuming they have a PayPal Account).  But be careful because you can be easily scammed and basically you don't have any Seller Protection using this method.

As a seller, you should either have a web page with item buttons or send invoices to your buyers or use eBay.  Sell items that are physical and can be shipped and tracked.  Don't sell intangible items or services, it's risky and there's no Seller Protection. 

You will need either a verified Premier or verified Business Account in order for people to pay you using a credit card and not be required to have a PayPal Account.  A Personal Account won't work. 

Protecting yourself is important and you can take steps to prevent issues by properly configuring your Account Profile.   If you have a Premier Account, both your email address and name are visible to the buyer on invoices.  Additionally your email address is displayed on the PayPal Checkout Screens but not your name.  If have a Business Account, then only your Business Information is displayed, no personal stuff.   

[minty1]

Hi Erin1993

Ok in order to receive payment the buyer needs your ppal email address nothing more

You must use your real name. address etc to sign up with ppal so you can verify your details

Remember dont accept a paypal payment for an item that needs collecting

Always check the payment is in your ppal account before you ship any items

Read up on payments/sellers protection etc before you start selling

There is a 21 day hold on payments for new sellers

However if you send your items tracked it might be released before can read up on this also on ppal website