How to Hide Your Real Name on PayPal (Using a Business Account) (2024)

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Written byNicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: November 19, 2022

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PayPal requires users to use their real names on personal accounts. If you don't want the people you exchange money with on PayPal to know your real name, you'll need to set up a business account. Although you'll still need to provide your real name to PayPal to set up your account, you can make your business name anything you want. This wikiHow teaches you how to switch to a business account to protect your real name on PayPal.

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  1. 1

    Create a new email address for your business. To create a business account, you'll want to make sure you're using an email address that doesn't have your real name attached to it. This ensures that nothing about your account will accidentally display your real name to the people with whom you exchange money.

    • Creating a new email address also allows you to keep your personal account open, which means you can continue using it with the people you don't mind knowing your real name. If you do use the same email address, PayPal will close your personal account and you'll only have your business account.[1]
    • Even if you haven't registered legally as a business, you are still allowed to create a PayPal business account.
  2. 2

    Sign in to https://www.paypal.com. Log in to the account for which you want to hide your real name.

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  3. 3

    Click the gear icon. It's at the top-right corner.[2] This takes you to your Settings.

  4. 4

    Click Upgrade to a Business account. It's toward the bottom of the left panel.

  5. 5

    Select Use a new email with your business account. It's the first option. This ensures you don't close your personal account.

    • Alternatively, you can choose Use your current email address to switch to a business account if you don’t mind closing your personal account.
  6. 6

    Click the blue Next button. It's at the bottom of the page.

  7. 7

    Enter your email address and click Continue. Now you'll be asked to provide details about your business.

  8. 8

    Follow the on-screen instructions to create your business account. During the setup process, you'll be asked to enter your business name (make sure it's something you don't want to hide), your contact information, and some basic information about your business.[3] Once your business account is created, you can use that to send and receive payments with PayPal instead of the account connected to your real name.

    • You will be asked for your employer ID or sole proprietor ID. This is for tax purposes. If you are not actually a registered business, just enter your social security number here.[4]
    • After creating your business account, you can link your regular bank account. Even though your real name is connected to your bank account, nobody you do business with will see your name or banking information.
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      About This Article

      How to Hide Your Real Name on PayPal (Using a Business Account) (26)

      Written by:

      wikiHow Technology Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 265,096 times.

      How helpful is this?

      Co-authors: 9

      Updated: November 19, 2022

      Views:265,096

      Article SummaryX

      1.Create a separate email address that doesn't contain your name.
      2.Sign in to your PayPal account.
      3.Click the gear.
      4.Click Upgrade to a Business account.
      5.Click Use a new email with your business account.
      6.Click Next.
      7.Enter your email address and click Continue.
      8.Follow the on-screen instructions.

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 265,096 times.

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      How to Hide Your Real Name on PayPal (Using a Business Account) (2024)

      FAQs

      How to Hide Your Real Name on PayPal (Using a Business Account)? ›

      Steps. Create a new email address for your business. To create a business account, you'll want to make sure you're using an email address that doesn't have your real name attached to it. This ensures that nothing about your account will accidentally display your real name to the people with whom you exchange money.

      How do I hide my name in PayPal business account? ›

      How to Hide My Company Name When Using PayPal
      1. Log in to your PayPal business account.
      2. Click the "Profile" tab and select "My Business Info."
      3. Click "Change" next to the Name heading, then click "Business Name Change."

      Does PayPal business account show your name? ›

      Your business name appears on all PayPal transactions and emails. Your Business account retains all of the transaction records and history from your previous account.

      Why does PayPal show your real name? ›

      Hello. When you send or receive a payment, the name registered to your PayPal account will show on the payment sender's account activity. It's not possible for PayPal to provide a false name in this regard, as do require all customers to provide their correct details when signing up with PayPal.

      Can I use nickname on PayPal? ›

      To change it, click "Update." 3. The update page gives you three options to change your name, each with its own requirements. You can ask PayPal to change your legal name, add a "nickname" to your account, or merely correct a typo.

      Can you hide your real name on PayPal without a business account? ›

      On personal accounts,PayPal users must use their true identities. You must create a business account if you don't want people you exchange money with on PayPal to know your true name. You can choose any name for your business,even though PayPal will still require your real name when you create an account.

      How to pay anonymously with PayPal? ›

      To make an anonymous online payment with PayPal, you'll need to register a payment card or bank account. When you make the transaction, your recipient will only see your registered name and e-mail address.

      How do I change my PayPal display name? ›

      How do I change the name on my PayPal account?
      1. Go to Settings.
      2. Click Change name.
      3. Select your type of name change.
      4. Follow the instructions on the screen and click either Continue or Update Name.

      What happens if I make my PayPal a business account? ›

      Business Account

      Operate under a company/group name. Accept debit card, credit card, and bank account payments for a low fee. Allow up to 200 employees limited access to your account. Access PayPal products such as PayPal Checkout.

      What's the difference between PayPal and PayPal business? ›

      FAQs. What is the difference between a PayPal Business and Personal account? A PayPal Business account is different from a personal account in that the Business account able to be your merchant account when using digital means to receive online payments or donations.

      Does PayPal business show your address? ›

      PayPal prints your address on your invoices. If you don't want your home address exposed, rent a business mailbox from a private company like Postal Annex.

      Can I hide my real name on venmo? ›

      We understand that you may not use your legal name or not want others to see it on your profile, so you'll also be able to use a display name of your choosing on Venmo.

      Can you have 2 names on PayPal? ›

      No, no one is allowed to create two personal PayPal accounts. However, yes, you may own one personal and one business PayPal account (both of which would rely on the same personal name and street address). - HTH … Why has my PayPal account been locked after being paid by the business option?

      Does a PayPal business account cost money? ›

      How much does it cost to open a PayPal Business Account? It's free to sign up for an account. PayPal merchant account fees only apply to transactions—which means you only start paying when you start selling. There are no set-up costs, monthly fees, or cancellations fees.

      How do I know my PayPal name? ›

      How do I find my paypal name ?
      1. Log into your Paypal account.
      2. Click on the gear icon on the top right hand of the page.
      3. Your PayPal name will show up under the Profile section (as shown in the image below)

      Can I link bank account to PayPal with different name? ›

      What if the name on my PayPal account and bank account are different? The name registered on your PayPal account must match the name registered on your bank account.

      Can I change my PayPal to a business account? ›

      Here's how to upgrade from a Personal account to a Business account:
      1. Go to Settings.
      2. Click Upgrade to a Business account.
      3. Enter all of the information and follow the steps on screen.

      Can I hide my address on PayPal business account? ›

      How to Hide Your Address When Sending Money on PayPal (Answered)
      1. Create a Second Dedicated PayPal for Anonymity. ...
      2. Create a PayPal Business Account. ...
      3. For Added Privacy, Use Digital Currency. ...
      4. Use Prepaid Gift Cards. ...
      5. Use Virtual or Masked Credit Cards. ...
      6. Prepaid Debit Cards. ...
      7. Paying With Cold, Hard Cash. ...
      8. Conclusion.
      Oct 31, 2020

      How can I receive money on PayPal without showing my name? ›

      You can hide your details by turning off your PayPal.Me link at any time in your PayPal settings. When turned off, your page will not be publicly visible or findable so you won't be able to receive money through it.

      How can I send money without my name showing? ›

      11 Ways to Send Money Without Revealing Your Identity
      1. Cash.
      2. Bank Account Deposit.
      3. Wire Transfer.
      4. Money Order.
      5. Mobile Payment Services.
      6. PayPal Business Account.
      7. Prepaid Cards.
      8. Gift Card.

      How can I receive money without giving my name? ›

      Safest Anonymous Payment Methods
      1. Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are popular ways to anonymously pay online. ...
      2. Masked Cards. There are a number of credit card companies and banks that offer a masking service. ...
      3. Prepaid Cards. ...
      4. Anonymous Payment Apps. ...
      5. PayPal. ...
      6. Skrill. ...
      7. Google Pay. ...
      8. Apple Cash.
      Jul 20, 2021

      How do I change my PayPal profile information? ›

      To view or update your personal information, such as phone number, email address, street address, or language setting, please go to Settings and edit your information.

      What are the disadvantages of PayPal Business account? ›

      Cons of using PayPal for small business
      • High chargeback fees.
      • Higher fees than a typical merchant (credit card processing) account.
      • Account suspension for terms and conditions (T&C) violations that can freeze your funds for months.
      • May take 2 business days to get your money.
      • Customer service can be hard to reach.
      Dec 7, 2020

      Is it better to have a PayPal Business account? ›

      These accounts have slightly higher rates than those from other top payment processing companies like Square and Stripe. But PayPal Business's ease of use, ubiquity and transparent fixed fees make it a solid choice for new businesses or those with fairly low transaction volumes.

      Should I create a separate PayPal account for my business? ›

      Generally if you're doing business and using PayPal as payment option, you must separate your personal account to your business account to avoid mixing of transactions. It will lessen your worries on how to track your finances and at the same time you'll be able to know if your business is making a profit.

      How do I know if my PayPal account is personal or business? ›

      How do I know what type of PayPal account I have? If there isn't an option to upgrade your account on the left-hand side near the bottom of your interface, you currently have a Business account. If there is an option to upgrade to PayPal Business, you have a Personal account.

      What business type should I put in PayPal? ›

      Enter your PayPal business type.

      You'll choose either Sole Proprietorship or Company. You can choose Sole Proprietorship even if you don't have a registered business, while the Company option encompasses LLCs, partnerships, corporations, and nonprofits.

      What do you need for PayPal business account? ›

      To open a Business account, you'll need to provide your full legal name, email address, a password, your tax ID or social security number (SSN), business description, and your business bank account details.

      Can people on PayPal see my phone number? ›

      If you send a personal payment from personal account they do not see address or phone. Just your name and and email.

      Can other people see my PayPal transactions? ›

      In general, the payment history and activity in your PayPal account is private and can only be viewed by you. Only you have access to your account and the transactions that have been made through it. However, it is possible to share your PayPal transaction history with others if you choose to do so.

      Why is PayPal better than Venmo? ›

      A key difference is that Venmo users can only make payments through the app, while PayPal can be used to make payment both online and through its app. Another difference is that Venmo is available for use only in the United States, while PayPal is established in more than 200 countries and 25 currencies.

      Does cash App hide your name? ›

      Does the Cash app show your name? Yes, Cash App'll show'ur name that you've set as'ur display name. Your name is visible only to the other person involved in the transaction with you. However, even if'ur account has to be linked to a bank account, credit card, or another account, they're not publicly available.

      How do I remove my name from Venmo? ›

      To remove a friend on Venmo (from the app or web), all you need to do is navigate to your friend's Venmo profile. On the web, click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner and select "Remove as Friend".

      What is the difference between a personal and business PayPal account? ›

      What is the difference between a PayPal Business and Personal account? A PayPal Business account is different from a personal account in that the Business account able to be your merchant account when using digital means to receive online payments or donations.

      How do I remove my address from PayPal business account? ›

      Tap the profile icon. Tap Account info. Tap Addresses.
      ...
      Go to the Addresses section:
      1. To add a new address, click + Add New. Enter your details and click Add Address.
      2. To change an address, click Edit. Make your edits and click Update.
      3. To remove an address, click Remove.

      Can you remain anonymous on PayPal? ›

      To make an anonymous online payment with PayPal, you'll need to register a payment card or bank account. When you make the transaction, your recipient will only see your registered name and e-mail address.

      How do I change my PayPal name to a nickname? ›

      Go to Settings. Click Change name. Select your type of name change. Follow the instructions on the screen and click either Continue or Update Name.

      Can you hide your business address? ›

      Sign in to your Google Business Profile account and choose your business's listing. Click “info” at the top of the page. Click “address”. Check the box that says, “I deliver goods and services to my customers at their locations,” and make sure that you have cleared your address.

      Why does PayPal business need my address? ›

      Although the vast majority of unconfirmed addresses are not fraudulent, PayPal offers confirmed addresses as an additional layer of fraud protection. Confirmed addresses help guard against stolen credit cards and identity theft and decrease your chances of receiving a chargeback.

      Does venmo show your real name? ›

      We understand that you may not use your legal name or not want others to see it on your profile, so you'll also be able to use a display name of your choosing on Venmo. Learn more about identity verification here.

      Does PayPal business cost money? ›

      How much does it cost to open a PayPal Business Account? It's free to sign up for an account. PayPal merchant account fees only apply to transactions—which means you only start paying when you start selling. There are no set-up costs, monthly fees, or cancellations fees.

      What are the disadvantages of PayPal business account? ›

      Cons of using PayPal for small business
      • High chargeback fees.
      • Higher fees than a typical merchant (credit card processing) account.
      • Account suspension for terms and conditions (T&C) violations that can freeze your funds for months.
      • May take 2 business days to get your money.
      • Customer service can be hard to reach.
      Dec 7, 2020

      Is it better to have a PayPal business account? ›

      These accounts have slightly higher rates than those from other top payment processing companies like Square and Stripe. But PayPal Business's ease of use, ubiquity and transparent fixed fees make it a solid choice for new businesses or those with fairly low transaction volumes.

      What does a business account do on PayPal? ›

      Your business can accept payments for goods and services through PayPal. Using a PayPal business account, you can accept online payment via PayPal, as well as in your store or business office, through a mobile card reader, and by phone. Many people, especially those shopping online, prefer to pay using PayPal.

      Why won't PayPal let me remove my address? ›

      PayPal does not allow you to delete address information that has the "Home" status. The only way to delete a home address is to add another address and click the "Make Home" link in the status column. You can then delete the previous home address information.

      Why can't I delete my PayPal business account? ›

      PayPal warns you won't be able to delete your account if there are unresolved issues or a balance. PayPal also sometimes places limitations on accounts if they detect suspicious activity, rendering a user unable to delete their account.

      How do I change my PayPal business account? ›

      How do I change the type of PayPal account I have?
      1. Go to Settings.
      2. Click Upgrade to a Business account.
      3. Enter all of the information and follow the steps on screen.

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