| One of the most popular gift card questions online is | | | | Expanded Use verification process is designed to |
| whether one can link prepaid gift cards like the Visa | | | | protect you against fraud by verifying that the person |
| gift card to a PayPal account. The short answer is | | | | attempting to use the credit card actually owns the |
| Yes and No. | | | | card. PayPal will later credit the amount charged to |
| Now, the long answer: Yes, it is possible to link a | | | | your card to your PayPal account. |
| prepaid gift card like the Visa or American Express gift | | | | Now, here lies the problem with using prepaid or bank |
| card to a PayPal account but for this to happen, you | | | | issued gift cards. If PayPal is unable to verify your |
| need to pray and hope that PayPal does not require | | | | address with the gift card issuer, then you may be |
| you to go through their Expanded Use verification | | | | asked to go through the Expanded Use process. Since |
| process. To better understand why, you first need to | | | | most prepaid gift cards do not issue monthly |
| be familiar with the process for linking a credit card to | | | | statements or provide online access to gift card |
| a PayPal account. When you link your credit card to a | | | | transactions, it will be impossible to complete the |
| PayPal account, PayPal will attempt to confirm your | | | | Expanded Use process. Also, it is not a good idea to |
| address with your credit card company. If the credit | | | | call the credit card or gift card issuer to get the 4-digit |
| card company is not able to confirm your address, | | | | Expanded Use code. If PayPal receives a complaint |
| then you may be asked by PayPal to complete their | | | | from your card issuer that you called them to get the |
| Expanded Use enrollment process in order to activate | | | | 4-digit code, PayPal will close your account |
| your credit card. | | | | permanently. |
| Expanded Use verification means PayPal will charge | | | | So, the first step to attempting to use a prepaid gift |
| your credit card a small about. Next to the charge will | | | | card on PayPal is to make sure the name and |
| be a unique, randomly generated 4-digit Expanded Use | | | | address (billing address) on your PayPal account |
| code. If you have online access to your credit card | | | | matches the name and address on file with the gift |
| activity, the charge and code will appear on your card | | | | card issuer. If you just purchased your prepaid gift |
| activity in approximately 2-4 business days. If you do | | | | card, call the card issuer and add your name and |
| not have online access, you must wait until you receive | | | | address to the card. If your information (name and |
| your statement in the mail to get the 4-digit code. If | | | | address) has changed since you registered your card, |
| you are adding a debit card to your PayPal account, | | | | call the card issuer or go online and update your |
| your 4-digit Expanded Use code will be printed on your | | | | information before you use the card on PayPal. |
| bank statement next to the charge. | | | | Once this is done, you just have to hope that PayPal is |
| Once you get the 4-digit code, you have to return to | | | | able to successfully verify your address with the gift |
| your PayPal account to enter the code per instructions | | | | card issuer. If they are able to verify your address, |
| from PayPal. Once completed, and PayPal confirms | | | | then you are all set. If they cannot verify your address |
| that you entered the correct code, you will now be | | | | with the card issuer, then you probably will not be able |
| able to use the card for PayPal transactions. The | | | | to use that gift card on PayPal. |