Option 2: Using a Nickname

If you don’t have access to a friend or family member’s name for an account then your next best bet is to use a nickname or variation of your OWN name.

Now I say your OWN name for a couple reasons. The first is because SOME banks have been rejecting electronic transfers (deposits) that are not in the account holder’s name. They simply do not like it and will sometimes shut your account down (including PayPal) if for example your name is Bob Thornton and you have deposits coming in under the name Tom Brady. A way around this is to use a nickname. If your bank account is in the name of Bob Thornton, then open a Paypal account under Robert Thornton or Bobby Thornton. If you don’t have a nickname then use a different first name on PayPal but keep your last name the same (do not misspell your name). Most banks don’t care about mismatch names however, I’ll list known banks that have issues with names in the bank account section.

Let me add that you WILL NOT be linked to another eBay or PayPal account by name alone. As mentioned at the beginning of the guide it takes something specific to link you, and a name alone just won’t cut it.

If you’re outside the US, using a nickname or variation of your name is a great option. If you’re in the US, it may be better to go with a friend or family member’s name.

Note: As far as verification goes, using a nickname means if you become limited by PayPal you won’t have supporting documentation to lift your account (don’t get limited if this is a problem for you). We’ll talk about selling limits and account verification later in the guide. While more challenging, it’s not an impossible to overcome. If this is an issue for you then going with the first option and using a friend or family member to open an account would be the best option. If you’re in the US and PayPal requests a SSN, you have a few options available to you. I’ll explain these options later in the guide… for now keep reading.

What about taxes? As far as taxes goes, I personally go with a business account and use EINs which are easy to acquire (talked about later).

Why not make up a name? Personally I like to use bank accounts with sub-accounts and those require a nickname over a complete mismatch name. Other then that there is little benefit to a mismatch name but if that’s your thing go for it!

There are arguments against going with a nickname and simply using a mismatch name instead, but in reality, a name alone will NOT link your accounts. It’s simply not a linking factor, so my choice is a variation of my own name for a majority of my accounts. That said it’s a personal preference. If it’s not an issue for you than use a nickname otherwise go with the option that works best for your setup.

Next we’ll discuss ’email accounts’ before moving on to a new address!