Comments on: Would you use a PayPal Virtual Debit Card?

By: Revisiting the Paypal Virtual Mastercard, er, now PayPal Secure Card? » Make You Go Hmm

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:55:19 +0000

[…] March a comment here by Nelson Hochberg pointed out how difficult and convoluted it was to contest charges for these virtual cards with PayPal […]

By: TDavid

TDavid — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:05:10 +0000

Great information Nelson, thank you for sharing.

By: Nelson Hochberg

Nelson Hochberg — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:54:47 +0000

I used the Paypal Virtual Debit Card for about two months, removed it from my system and would not use it again until they make some changes described below. I found it to be LESS SECURE than a standard credit card.

The Paypal literature states that a unique credit card number is generated for each transaction implying that the and is good for only one transaction. However each generated credit and is good for three months allowing unlimited transactions up to the total amount in all of the credit cards, debit cards and bank accounts listed with your Paypal account. I had two vendors charge my Paypal Virtual Debit Card for more than the one charge I authorized.

It took me one and one half hours on the phone with Paypal to find out I have to download a hard to find form, print it, fill it out and mail it to Paypal to contest a charge. All of my credit cards allow me to contest a charge over the phone. I am still waiting to find out if Paypal will refund the unauthorized transactions. (At the end of this post are the Paypal instructions for downloading and using the form to contest transactions)

It took me another hour on the phone to find out that I can cancel a virtual debit card through a supervisor. You have to call Paypal and request a supervisor to do this.

I would not recommend the Paypal Virtual Debit Card until it allows only one transaction for a set amount per card number And they provide a simpler means to contest a charge.

Instructions to locate the Chargeback Affidavit Form:

1. Log in to your account at https://www.paypal.com
2. Copy and paste this link: https://www.paypal.com/wf/f=dc_unauth in to your browser.
3. Click the “Affidavit of Disputed PayPal ATM/Debit Card Transactions”
link (This is the form used for virtual Debit Card disputes).
4. Complete the form. (You may leave the “ATM/Debit Card Number” field blank).
5. Click “Preview this form” at the bottom of the affidavit to view the completed form before printing it.
6. Click “Print Form”.
7. Once the form is printed, your signature is required.

By: How to receive 1% cash back bonus with PayPal » Make You Go Hmm

How to receive 1% cash back bonus with PayPal » Make You Go Hmm — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 20:42:52 +0000

[…] Not sure what took our business so long to get a PayPal debit card but shortly after writing about the PayPal virtual debit card recently, we filled out the short online form request and had our business account approved within a business day. […]

By: Addurobi

Addurobi — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 06:06:21 +0000

Wayne & TDvaid,

For the verification code thing, or what ever it is called, use a combonation of zeros. (000 or 0000).

By: TDavid

TDavid — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 22:55:20 +0000

“I just ordered one of their physical debit cards and use that now.”

Me too, Wayne. Waiting for them to send that out.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:40:49 +0000

I love the virtual debit card feature, but it only works if the store doesn’t require the 3 digit verification code from the back of the card. Last time I used it, Paypal had not added this as a feature and I could not complete my purchase.
I just ordered one of their physical debit cards and use that now.

By: TDavid

TDavid — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 19:05:18 +0000

Yeah that’s strange. Thanks for taking the screenshot. Maybe it is a US-only thing.

By: Candice

Candice — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 18:19:29 +0000

I have a verified Paypal account with 2 credit cards on file and still receive the error: http://nietha.net/paypal.jpg
Perhaps it’s because I’m Canadian (therefore won’t work with US sites?), or because I have no balance? Although I only receive the error after a pick a site or click on “Go”… maybe Paypal should work on having more accurate error messages if “heavy site load” is not the actual reason. I personally don’t care as I’ve no problem paying directly with my credit cards, it’s just kinda curious.

By: TDavid

TDavid — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 14:13:44 +0000

Hi Candice - I was able to select multiple stores and go further in the process (note the screenshot in the post) — still am this morning — no problem. Are you sure your PayPal account is validated? If you see a red text error message that means you have to do some things like I had to do first. This wasn’t the slashdot effect, this was me needing to add a credit card to my account.

Then again, maybe I got through the process and it’s denying other folks?