I have heard a lot about PayPal, one of the biggest service providers that allow online payments, transfers, and serves as an electronic alternative to traditional paper methods like checks and money orders.
I needed to test it out last week when a senior colleague instructed me to buy domain names from Godaddy. I tried using my GTB MasterCard, it didn’t work, and there was an option of paying through a PayPal account. I quickly set up a PayPal account, but it failed to integrate with my GTB MasterCard. That same card!
I pondered over this to know precisely why this happened. I decided to do some findings; I discovered that there were tons of write up online stating that PayPal doesn’t accept Nigerian cards. I became indifferent to such opinionated articles. At this point, it became time bound for me buy the domain names. I don’t want to stress much about the reason Godaddy rejected my GTB card because I am a bit sceptical if one of the largest domain sellers accepts GTB card, I don’t know.
I resorted to sending PayPal an email, stating unequivocally that my GTB card failed to integrate with my PayPal account.
Dear Justice Okamgba,
I hope you are doing well today. My name is Miles from PayPal Customer Service. I’m sorry to hear that you are unable to add your card. I’m here to clear things up for you.
We have been made aware that GTBank have already disabled their Naira cards to be used in PayPal, and it was not the PayPal system which blocked it.
The system PayPal relies on the response that we receive from your bank each time you link a card or make an update to your card. At this time, we always receive a response message from your bank saying “Invalid Date Provided” whenever the PayPal system request for the approval of validation of your card information. Please clarify with your issuing bank if you can use a USD denominated card in PayPal as an alternative option.
If you can use a GTBank card denominated in USD in PayPal, please try to add it to your account. Otherwise, you can add a different credit/debit card to your PayPal account with a Visa, MasterCard, Amex or Discover logo from other banks.
We’ll be glad to hear from you if you need clarification or assistance. Please don’t hesitate to email us again. You can also call us at (U.S. telephone number) Monday to Friday, [8:00] AM to [4:30] PM local Nigerian time.
Here in PayPal, security is our top priority. We are pleased to have you as a member of the PayPal community.
Sincerely,
Miles
PayPal
Now, the question is who is responsible for this, GTB or PayPal?
The response I got from PayPal shows merely that the rejection isn’t from PayPal but GTB. However, I am yet to find out if PayPal accepts cards from other banks in Nigeria.