The name others see

[thebirdee]

I have seen a few people ask about this, with no solution listed.  I do not want my first and last name shown to everyone I use paypal with.  Sometimes I just want to show my first name and email address.  The only way to change the "contact name" paypal uses for you (usually first and last name) is to show your name has legally changed.  Even when you make your account a business account it still shows your first and last name as the contact name and lists it on your transactions - you can't change it (under current options I see) to just a business name.  I have emailed customer service and will post what they say when/if they answer.  If anyone sees this and has more info, please reply.

Thanks

[MDX]

Please do update us on what you find out!

I've been through the boards and have yet to see a proper, definitive answer to this question, so I hope you have more success than those who have asked before.

[PayPal_Adrian]

Welcome to the boards!

When you send or receive a payment, the name that the other party sees is dependant on the type of account that you have.

If you have a Personal or Premier account, the name the other party sees is your personal name, as these accounts are designed for individuals.

If you have a Business account, the name the other party sees is the business name, as these accounts are designed for businesses.

I know when you first log in, it may still show your name and this may be a bit confusing.  Even if you're a business account, you want to start out putting your actual name (we need to know who's running the account for the business, after all).  The option to enter the business name is provided later during sign up and can be changed at any time by going to Profile > Business Information > Change Name > Business Name Change (business name) > Continue.   The alternate route if this one doesn't apply is Profile > Update (in the business information section) > Change Name > Business Name Change (business name) > Continue.

Hope this helps,

Adrian

[MDX]

Thanks for the reply, Adrian! Forgive me though -- your response seems to only touch on changes in business name, rather than business *contact* name -- two entirely different things.

With a merchant account, it automatically sets your personal name as the business contact name. While you can change the business name, the *contact* name cannot be changed unless it falls under specific conditions (legal name change, marriage, etc.).

My concern, as I think is many others', is that eventhough my business name is set, my personal name is being/may be revealed via the "business contact name". My name is unique enough that, if revealed by PayPal, it would be easy for anyone to Google me and find out details about what area I live in, education, past companies, accomplishments, etc. I would prefer that my personal name isn't publicly linked to the current business venture for which I use PayPal.

I've read several conflicting posts about this, and would like a clear answer as to whether or not "business contact name" is revealed to customers alongside the business name at any stage in the transaction process.

[PayPal_Adrian]

Ah, my bad.  So many names associated with businesses.   

And no, the business contact name is not revealed to your buyers.

Adrian

[MDX]

Perfect -- exactly the answer I was hoping for! Thanks, Adrian!