Why Can No Longer Get a PayPal Key?

[KelvinM40]

For months I’ve been successfully using PayPal keys to buy things online using the virtual MasterCard number associated with my PayPal key.  Occasionally I would delete the key after using it with a merchant that I don’t trust and then apply for a new one.  This always worked before, but after the last time that I deleted the key the option to get a new one disappeared from my account and when I use the direct link to sign up for a PayPal key that is in the “Help” section I get a message saying that the feature is “coming soon”.  I’ve done all the “wild goose chase” things that PayPal support will usually say to do when a problem arises – clear the cache, try logging on from other devices, use a VPN, don’t use a VPN, etc.  but not dice.  Is this a known issue, and is there any way that I can restore this feature?

[KelvinM40]

I'm not sure if this is the definitive answer, but I called PayPal and the customer support rep told me that the reason for this is that they are discontinuing PayPal Key.  I asked if there had been an announcement about that and they said that they aren't sure if an email went out but the information is on their website. 

[3rdGenOdyssey]

edit: posted twice sorry

[JimBob99]

Like you I had been successfully using this feature for some months.

yesterday I could no longer create a new Key/virtual CC number.

I called tech. support and they told me that I had to wait for an email invitation to "join" the Key program.

Once the system determined I was "qualified".

I explained I had already been using it for months and that I have a clean/stellar PP record for ~10 years.

He was unable to "re-instate" service and said I would have to wait for an automated invite e-mail.

His hands were tied.

I am not happy about this ... not one bit....

I'll likely have to get a 'real' CC that allows creation of virtual acct. numbers  (Citi Bank offers one).

ok ... rant over ... I'll shut up now ..........

[JimBob99]

@KelvinM40  ... I'm wondering why you got a story that was different from mine?

If the Key / virtual feature is being eliminated ... I'd have liked to have known that ...

I really would not appreciate being ghosted.... with some ...

"We'll e-mail you later... "  wave-off if it is truly being decommissioned...

[KelvinM40]

I think that it’s part of PayPal’s business model to give customers the run-around when they have problems that are already known to the company.  Other companies in other industries do that too – what you do is you give customers access to minimum wage employees trained in how to send a customer on a wild goose chase, let the customer take their frustrations out on them, and that gives higher ranking people in the company more time before they need to address the actual issue.

The customer service rep that I talked to knew right away what I was talking about and exclaimed “Oh!” as soon as I said “PayPal Key”.  Whether or not what she told me is true – that PayPal Key is being discontinued – is something that I can’t assess.

[3rdGenOdyssey]

I can confirm what @KelvinM40 said. I deleted my Paypal Key, which I've had since October 2020, in order to get a fresh card number and found that I couldn't do so. I contacted chat support first and they told me to call the support number for the Paypal Cash card. So did that and told the rep that I deleted my key and couldn't get a new one. She checked some things and then informed me that the reason why I can't get a new key was because they are going to remove the Paypal Key feature, and the date she gave was April 21, 2022. I asked if anybody who still has a Paypal Key number will lose the feature on that day and she said yes. So unfortunately everybody will eventually lose their Paypal Key in around a month or so from today. The rep told me that I could get myself a Paypal Cash Card to essentially replace it if I wanted to.

RIP Paypal Key: August 2020-April 21, 2022. It was great while it lasted.

[JimBob99]

Thanks @3rdGenOdyssey 

Not sure why they would not tell me that................

If that is the case ... I will have little use for PayPal in the future since I can no longer use them for eBay transactions.....................

[JimBob99]

Thanks for the reply ...

I guess this forum is not moderated by anyone from PayPal...

We'll just have to wait and see...

😑

[JimBob99]

Well ... I guess we're done here.  I just got this e-mail from PP:

PayPal is discontinuing the PayPal Key virtual card feature. Starting April 20, 2022, you will no longer be able to use your PayPal Key Virtual Cards. This includes the ability to see the virtual card number, and any attempted online purchases will be declined. Please be sure to update any saved payments before then.

They suggest using the PP Debit card but that just won't work for me.