At PayPal, we’ve spent many years building sophisticated backend systems to help us detect fraud. Our attention to detail has helped us build a reputation as a safer, and easier way for sellers to receive payments online.

Earlier this year, we successfully introduced a new risk reduction feature in North America that benefits eBay sellers called Payment Review. Payment Review will soon also be available to UK sellers.

What is Payment Review?

Payment Review is an automatic early warning system that alerts sellers to potentially fraudulent payments. It relies on the vast amounts of payment data in our systems, our experience in sophisticated fraud modeling and the collective expertise of our fraud agents.

How it works

If our systems spot a high-risk payment, we’ll send you an email alert within minutes to advise that payment has been interrupted, pending investigation. A Payment Review investigation typically takes up to 24 hours to complete.

If we determine that the payment is most likely legitimate, we'll let you know via email and on the Transaction Details page that you can send the item to the buyer. The payment may still be subject to a reversal or chargeback but it will remain eligible under the Seller Protection Policy, provided the transaction is eligible. (Learn more about standard eligibility requirements.)

If we determine that the payment is most likely fraudulent, the payment will be automatically cancelled.

Payment Review is automatic; there’s no need to opt in.

You probably won't see "Pending" payments often

While we think Payment Review will provide great protection for sellers, payments will only be interrupted in a small percentage of transactions.

You should still exercise good judgment when accepting payments.

Payment Review is an important step forward in helping to deliver an even safer experience for eBay sellers who accept PayPal; however, it's not a substitute for seller caution when accepting payments. We recommend that you also have in place a risk reduction strategy that suits your business. We look forward to helping you grow your business.

Regards,

The PayPal Team