3 ways to activate PayPal Prepaid Mastercard (with steps)

Prepaid cards can prove to be a great option for parents who want to provide their children with limited spending power. Or for folks who do not like carrying their debit or credit cards everywhere they go. With the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, there are no risks of spending more than a specific amount or damaging credit scores. However, you do have to pay a specific monthly fee of $4.95 for using the service.

Offered by NetSpend and Bancorp Bank, the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard can be directly linked to your PayPal account once the card is activated. Even though having a PayPal account is not mandatory for using the prepaid card, doing so will allow you to access all the features the card has to offer. Additionally, you do not have to pay any fee for direct money deposits into the card balance.

How to Purchase a PayPal Prepaid Mastercard?

There is only one way to purchase a PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, and that is by visiting a retail location to obtain a temporary card. However, the card will only be activated and converted to a permanent PayPal Prepaid Mastercard when your identity is verified.

If you are a resident or a resident alien of the United States, aged over 18 years, and have a valid Social Security Number (SSN) and a US street address that is physically verifiable, then you can purchase the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard. Also, as of the current date, PayPal prepaid cards are not offered to residents of Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, or other US-based territories.

Do note that a minor cannot independently purchase a PayPal Prepaid Mastercard. However, the primary cardholder of a PayPal Prepaid Mastercard can request a secondary card to be used by a minor at no additional cost. Additionally, the primary cardholder should be a parent or legal guardian of the minor. Not to mention, the minor must be at least 13 years old.

When you will be purchasing your PayPal Prepaid Mastercard prepaid card, the following information will be required: your name, your physical street address (no PO Boxes are allowed), your date of birth, and your Social Security Number.

When you purchase a temporary PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, you will have a time limit of 120 days from the purchase date to activate it by verifying your identity. Once your identity is verified, you will receive a personalised card within the next 10 business days.

How to Activate PayPal Prepaid Mastercard Online

If you have already bought a temporary PayPal Prepaid Mastercard from a retail location and are looking for ways to activate it online, then follow the below-mentioned steps.

1. To start the activation process, first, you have to visit the official website.
2. Proceed to click on the Activate Your Card link.
3. A new web page will open where you have to enter the temporary card number as well as the security code present on the back of the card.
4. Once done, you will be required to provide your identity details. These include your name, verifiable street address, date of birth, and Social Security Number. You also need to create a 4-digit PIN which will be used when making purchases with the card.
5. After your identity is verified, your temporary PayPal Prepaid Mastercard will be activated, and you will receive a permanent, personalised prepaid card within the next 10 business days.

How to Activate PayPal Prepaid Mastercard via Phone

To activate your PayPal Prepaid Mastercard with the help of PayPal’s 24-hour automated toll-free phone number, proceed to follow the recommended steps below.

1. Begin the activation process by calling the automated toll-free number at (866) 753-6440.
2. Navigate through the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) menus and select the option to activate your temporary PayPal Prepaid Mastercard.
3. You will be required to enter your card number as well as the security code present on the back of the card.
4. In the next step, you have to verify your identity by providing your Social Security Number, date of birth, name, and verifiable street address. Additionally, select your 4-digit PIN for using the card for purchases.
5. Once your identity is successfully verified, your temporary card will be activated for usage. Additionally, a permanent PayPal Prepaid Mastercard will be mailed to your address within the next 10 business days.

How to Activate PayPal Prepaid Mastercard Offline

If you want to activate your PayPal Prepaid Mastercard offline, then visiting nearest NetSpend locations would speed up things. Here are the steps to follow.

1. To locate a nearby NetSpend location, head over to the official website here.
2. Enter your city name, state name, or ZIP code, and the online system will suggest relevant locations around you.
3. Head over to your preferred location with your temporary PayPal Prepaid Mastercard and thereby proceed to ask the store representative for assistance.
4. Proceed to provide your card details as well as details for identity verification.
5. Once your identity is verified on the spot, you can start using your temporary prepaid card right away. However, do note that a permanent PayPal Prepaid Mastercard will be mailed to you within the next ten days.

Reach out to the customer service at prepaid@paypal.com if you have any other questions about your PayPal Prepaid Mastercard.