How to access money in my paypal account without connecting a bank account?

[Luara8]

Hello,

I was paid through paypal for something, and I'm trying to gain access to the money. I don't feel safe connecting my bank account to paypal for a number of reasons (one of which being that it's so difficult to access paypal customer service when I've encountered problems in the past). I'm trying to use the option to have a check mailed to me, and I've been trying since September. Every time, I get the error message, "Things don't appear to be working right now." I've used multiple computers and multiple browsers, but the error always pops up. Every time I've asked paypal directly when their website will be working, they tell me to connect a bank account. I don't see what that has to do with receiving a check (which I only want to do to avoid connecting a bank account).

How do I fix this error and order the check?

[PayPal_JonK]

Hello @Luara8, 

Welcome to the PayPal Community! I'm sorry to hear you've run into some speed-bumps transferring funds by check. Hearing how hard it's been to reach Customer Support when an issue comes up, I understand why you wish to transfer your funds out of your PayPal account by check and not add your bank. However, before you withdraw money by check, you must confirm an address or become Verified by adding and confirming a bank account. 

With that in mind, I can confirm we do offer the ability to reach our Customer Support through chat (where available), Facebook PM, and Twitter DM. Also, if you run into any unauthorized activity, it can be reported through our Resolution Center. I hope that puts your mind at ease when adding and confirming a bank or card. 

If you're unable to transfer via bank or check, you may wish to see if the option to Transfer via card is available as well. 

Good luck with your transfer!

 - Jon K

[Luara8]

That doesn't make sense. The error message I'm getting says that something is not working on your website. When will it be fixed?

Again, I don't see paypal as secure and will not give it my private bank information. I'm requesting a check for this very reason. To require me to give you personal financial information in order to access the only option that isn't a direct transfer to my bank account proves my point exactly. Paypal is intentionally tricky.

Please fix your website so that I don't get this error reporting that something's not working right now.

[kernowlass]

@Luara8 

Nothing to fix, ''something is not working'' is because you have not verified your paypal account yet.

Verify it by adding and confirming a bank account and you will get your cheque.

If you did not want to verify then you did not have to use paypal to accept payments, you're call.

[Luara8]

Why would it say something's not working if that's not the case?

Why would I have to give them my bank account details if I'm actively trying the only method of getting my money that doesn't involve them having direct access to my bank account? That doesn't make any sense! So, they're going to hold my money hostage until I give them access to my bank? How is this legal??

What is the point of having the option to receive a check, then? Why, when you get to the page that asks you to verify your bank account, does it invite me to order a check INSTEAD? Not in addition, INSTEAD.

Trust me, I did not have a choice in receiving this money this way. It was the sender's choice.

Again, you're proving my point in how insecure this company is.

[kernowlass]

@Luara8 

It won't work will it if you have not verified your account that is why it says NOT WORKING.

Its legal because paypal have the right to verify your account by requiring you to add a card or bank account (country dependent).

Some folks have bank accounts linked but still request a cheque in the post occasionally for whatever reason.

Company is not insecure, if they were they would allow you to withdraw your funds withOUT you verifying your account, they are not they need you as a legal requirement to verify your account first.

Your call, verify or leave your funds there, up to you.  

[Luara8]

The error message, "Things don't appear to be working right now" indicates a temporary problem on the part of the website. If the issue were that they needed my bank account info, why wouldn't it ask for that info as part of the form? Why would it act as if it's temporary ("right now")?

During no part of the process to order a check does it even ask for your bank information. It simply asks for the mailing address. This is, of course, after asking you to sign in and verify using your phone. I'm sorry, but I don't think your information is correct. There are two many counter arguments.

[kernowlass]

@Luara8 

*whatever*

Your call, verify or leave your funds there, up to you.  

[Luara8]

I'm sorry you're angry. I'm just trying to fix this error messages I keep getting about the website being temporarily broken.

[kernowlass]

@Luara8 

You have had replies from myself and a paypal moderator, if you don't want to accept the advice given then we move on to other folks needing advice.

Not angry just haven't got anymore time to waste on this thread.