PayPal and You - Is Verification Really Necessary?

When I first heard the freelance veterans drop the term "PayPal verification," I wanted to know why everybody's making such a fuss over it.

Isn't having a PayPal account enough? Why do I have to verify my account anyway? What does PayPal verification mean?

Verifying your PayPal address is synonymous to confirming your identity as the holder of the account. The verification process includes linking your PayPal account to a valid bank account, credit card or approved debit card (such as your Unionbank EON debit card).

If you've just commenced your freelancing career and your intention is to merely receive payment for your work, an unverified PayPal account should suffice. In the long run though, you will feel compelled to complete the verification process. Here's why:

PayPal and Unionbank EON - 8 Steps They're Not Telling You

Some people think that once you already have possession of an EON debit card, you can immediately verify your PayPal account and transfer your PayPal funds to the EON account. This isn't true. You must do a bit more work (and brace for more waiting) to make that happen.

Link love - PayPal and your bank.
(photo credit: clarita)

Amidst all the excitement and buzz, there are about 8 necessary things to do prior to verification. To sign up with PayPal is one.

The rest are like "open secrets." You are expected to figure them out by yourself. Nobody's talking about them. Freelancers aren't writing about them.

People just assume that the pre-verification stage is a matter of using your 25 percent. I say the pre-verification stage is a matter of preparedness. For a wrinkle-free PayPal verification experience, don't skip the following: