I'm a streamer. Why does PayPal put all the tips I get on hold?

[Famixofpower]

I'm a streamer. I get donations from people who like my streams and want to support my content, both directly through paypal and through streamlabs website, which goes through paypal. For some reason, Paypal puts all of the money I get on hold, which is a real nuisance. I've talked to other streamers I chat with on my streams and collaborate with, and they have never had this issue. What gives? Also, Paypal has been wanting me to give them shipping information, but since they're tips and donations, I can't do that, as making shipping information for tips would be fraudulent, as no good is being recieved for the transaction aside from more of my content. 

[ali_3]

Hi @Famixofpower,

Welcome to the PayPal community! I understand that the streaming-related payments you get have been put on hold. Please be aware that the payment type you receive is for goods/services, which is why the funds are being held. In an effort to create a safer online payments community, we may have placed the money from your payment to one side, in your pending balance. This may be because there's a higher-than-average risk associated with this payment. If you receive personal payment you directly have it on your PayPal balance.

Please review this help center link to learn more about why payment is held. Also, here is the help center article which has information on how to get the funds released sooner. 

I hope this helps!

- Ali

[Famixofpower]

That's the setting for Streamlabs, and there is no possible way to change it. However, no other Streamlabs users report having this issue, and a direct tip given to me with a direct paypal link has also been put on hold. 

Also, usually there's something saying when it will be taken off hold, but I fail to see that on my paypal page. 

[PayPal_Olivia]

Hi @Famixofpower,

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing something other streamers you know of are not experiencing. Funds availability holds are done to reduce risk. Risk is assessed based on a large number of factors, and sometimes there is something that is different in the circumstances of one account or transaction that differs from another account or transaction, that requires the step of funds availability holds. This may possibly be a temporary situation, and it's always possible that even one of your other streamer friends may also encounter it at some point. 

The holds are consistently 21 days, unless you mark the service as complete and the sender then marks that they received it. In situations where that does not occur, the funds are released after the full 21 days elapses. 

I am sorry for the inconvenience, and I wish you all the success possible in your streaming!

Olivia