Why PayPal needs credit card to finalize purchase w balance?

[mcameronboyd]

Hello! 

New here, stupid question: I may be paranoid but trying to pay retailer ($15 purchase) from my PayPal balance ($200 balance) but PayPal says I must enter my credit card info "TO COMPLETE MY PURCHASE!" 

How can I be sure my credit card WON'T be charged if I enter C.C. number, expiration and security code? 

Why won't PayPal be TRANSPARENT and guarantee my payment WILL COME from my balance?

Has anyone on here experienced their credit card actually being charged instead?

Many thanks.

M.C.B.

[kernowlass]

@mcameronboyd 

You can use a paypal balance without adding a bank account or card for a short while. 

But then paypal will step in and ask you to add a bank or card to verify your account and act as a back up funding source.

Normally Paypal will take the funds from the option you select in checkout however there are some circumstances when they may use your back up card instead.

Make sure you do this and you should be able to use your balance as long as they are cleared and not pending and in the correct currency that the recipient accepts.

Click on the profile tab (icon next to log out) > Click on payments third option along on the thick blue band top of page > second down click on update next to your preferred way to pay and put a dot in the balance option.