PayPal: Authenticating your transactions

Due to a recent piece of EU legislation - the second Payment Services Directive (PSD2) - all online payments within the EU (also, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) need to go through an extra step of authentication.

Whether you're using your computer, mobile phone, or another device to complete your PayPal purchase, you may be guided through an additional security check to verify your identity. This will help Paypal know it's really you making that purchase and, therefore, protect you against fraud.

If PayPal can recognize you're accessing your account from a trusted device, you'll be able to log in simply by entering your email address/username and your password.

But from time to time, PayPal may ask you for a One-Time Passcode that you'll receive via SMS on the mobile phone number registered to your PayPal account.

If you've registered a direct landline phone number in your profile, PayPal will place a call to that phone and ask you for the One-Time Passcode displayed on your device. If you encounter this extra step, just follow the on-screen instructions to authenticate your transaction.

Do you need to update the phone number that is registered to your PayPal account? Then, follow these steps:

1. Login to PayPal account
2. Go to the 'Settings' icon next to 'Log Out'
3. Select 'Your Profile'
4. Choose 'Update' next to 'Phone'

In case you have questions about the specific technology PayPal is using, please get in touch with PayPal directly. You can find more information on Paypal and PSD2 on this page.