Why is the identity verification process so completely awful?

[-6]

To preface, I don't have a bank account or credit card, I'm a 19 year old student living as a dependent with my parents. Yesterday I saw something I wanted on eBay, so I figure **bleep**, I can buy a prepaid Paypal card and not have to do the bank and cc stuff. i mean that's what they're for right? So I buy it, set up and account, give paypal my name, address and SSN. But somehow they can't verify my identity with those three things. What the **bleep**? And to verify my account, they need a drivers license less than 6 months old? I don't drive, I don't need to to get around. A utility bill less that six months old? I'm not the head of household, I don't get utility bills sent to me. An SSN card or tax form issued/sent within the last 6 months? Wtf?

[kernowlass]

then you can't open a paypal account.

[-6]

Lol. Fantastic. Wish I would've known that before I gave them my ssn. Well better go get a lisence, become head of household and get a new ssn card to get a crummy **bleep** paypal account.

[PayPal_Andy]

Hi -6!

Sorry for the obvious frustration this situation has caused that has brought you here to the forums. I'm happy to try and address your concerns as much as I can through this forum.

Certain actions taken within PayPal require verification of your identity in accordance with government regulations. You can read more about that process here if you'd like. Use of the PayPal Prepaid card would be one of those actions. However, use of just about any other type of prepaid card would most likely avoid this type of identity check (as that card issuer should be doing these steps on their end).

The most likely reason we're unable to verify your identity is because of your age; very rarely will a 19 year old show up in public databases for identity verification. We do have the option to work around this lack by requesting physical documents, but I can totally understand not having a driver's license. However, do you have any government issued ID? Because in many cases we can accept that.

I hope this clarifies a bit what has happened on your account. Please let us know if there are any other questions or concerns!

- Andy

[-6]

I have a state ID and an SSN card, both issued more than 6 months ago.

[PayPal_Andy]

Hi -6 -

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Your State ID and SSN card don't need to be issued within the last 6 months. Sorry if the email we sent was confusing on that. Realistically very few people would have those documents issued within the last 6 months. 🙂 The only document we'd really need to be within the last 6 months would be proof of address as that would really be the only information that could change in a short amount of time.

Hope that clears everything up!

- Andy

[-6]

So, I can use my State ID and ssn card? What about proof of address? I don't have any utility bills addressed to me.

[PayPal_Andy]

Hi -6 -

Yeah, you shouldn't have a problem with your ID and SSN card. Proof of address can be a bit more nebulous, so really any 'official' document you can provide verifying you live at the address on your account may work. Outside of a utility bill, maybe a cellphone bill? Paycheck stub? Car registration? Tax documents? Those are just a few off the top of my head.

Hope this helps!

- Andy

[-6]

Closest thing I have to official is probably my voter registration card. It's still not cut out. The card itself has my address and issue date.

[katybeauty]

If your address is listen on your i.d and you just got your i.d issued in the mail and is still attached to the dmv paper can that be proof of address? I just got out of jail, do not have a job I live with my dad only medical bill I have is for iop and they do not accept itI tried calling customer service and they could not answer my question and it frustrated me so I asked for her supervisor then she hung up on me! I opened a PayPal acct so my boyfriend in D.C. could transfer money to me easily with a PayPal cash card and cuzmost cabs only take PayPal besides a bank acct. Please let me know if my i.d which I just issued for will be enough! Thanks. Also my phone is prepaid and i do not have a bill and they say they do not take prepaid bills