How to delete a bank account from PayPal
To remove a bank account from PayPal, go to your Wallet, select the bank account you want to remove, and click the delete or remove option. PayPal will ask you to confirm the deletion. The account disappears from your Wallet immediately, but PayPal keeps a record of it for their own fraud and compliance purposes — you cannot see it anymore, but they retain it in their system.
You can remove a bank account at any time, whether or not you have pending transfers. If you have money in transit to that account, the transfer will still go through; removing the account does not stop a payment that is already in motion. If you remove an account and then try to send money to it, PayPal will reject the transaction and ask you to add a new account or choose a different payment method.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from PayPal takes less than a minute and happens immediately in your Wallet settings.
- Transfers already sent to that account will still arrive, even if you delete the account before they land.
- You can add the same bank account back to PayPal later if you change your mind.
- PayPal keeps deleted account information on file for fraud detection and regulatory reasons, even though you cannot see it.
- If you are removing an account because of fraud or unauthorized use, report it to PayPal support at the same time you delete it.
Steps to remove a bank account on the PayPal website
Log into your PayPal account on a computer or mobile browser. Click Wallet at the top of the page. Under "Linked bank accounts," find the account you want to remove and click on it to open the details.
Click the three-dot menu icon (or More button, depending on your version) next to the account name. Select Remove or Delete. PayPal will ask you to confirm — click Yes, remove this account or the equivalent button. The account is now gone from your Wallet.
Steps to remove a bank account on the PayPal mobile app
Open the PayPal app and tap Wallet at the bottom of the screen. Tap Linked bank accounts. Find the account you want to remove and tap it to open the details.
Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Select Remove account. Confirm the deletion when PayPal asks. The account is removed immediately.
What happens to pending transfers when you delete an account
If you have sent money to a bank account and then delete that account from PayPal before the transfer arrives, the money will still go through. PayPal processes transfers based on the account information at the time you sent the money, not on your current Wallet contents. Deleting the account does not cancel or redirect the transfer.
If you need to stop a transfer that is already in progress, you must contact PayPal support before the money leaves PayPal's system. Once the transfer has been sent to your bank, PayPal cannot recall it — you would need to contact your bank instead. Transfers to bank accounts typically take one to three business days to arrive, so you have a narrow window to act if you need to stop one.
Removing an account because of fraud or security concerns
If you are deleting a bank account because someone else used it without your permission, or because you suspect fraudulent activity, delete the account and then contact PayPal support immediately. Go to the Resolution Center or call PayPal's fraud line to report the unauthorized transaction or account access.
PayPal will investigate the claim and may reverse fraudulent transfers. Reporting to PayPal is separate from reporting to your bank — you should do both. Your bank may also reverse the transfer on their end if they determine it was unauthorized. Keep records of when you reported the fraud to PayPal and what you reported; you may need this information if a dispute arises.
Adding the same bank account back later
You can re-add a bank account to PayPal after you delete it. The process is the same as adding any new account: go to Wallet, click Link a bank account, enter the routing number and account number, and confirm your identity. PayPal will send two small deposits to verify ownership, which usually takes one to two business days.
If you deleted the account by mistake, you do not need to wait or do anything special — just add it again when you are ready. PayPal treats it as a fresh link, so you will go through the full verification process again, including the two test deposits.
Why PayPal keeps deleted account information
PayPal retains information about deleted bank accounts for fraud detection, money laundering prevention, and regulatory compliance. Banks and payment processors are required by law to keep records of account links and transactions for a set period, even after you delete them from your view. This is why you cannot see a deleted account in your Wallet, but PayPal can still use that information internally to flag suspicious patterns or respond to law enforcement requests.
This retention does not affect your privacy or security. PayPal does not use deleted account information to send you marketing messages or to re-link the account without your permission. If you want to know exactly what PayPal has on file about a deleted account, you can request your data through PayPal's privacy portal, though the response may take several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a bank account if I have a pending transfer to it?
Yes, you can delete the account, but the transfer will still go through. PayPal processes transfers based on the account information when you sent the money, not on your current Wallet. If you need to stop the transfer, contact PayPal support before the money leaves their system — once it reaches your bank, only your bank can reverse it.
Will deleting a bank account affect my PayPal balance or credit?
No. Deleting a bank account only removes the link between PayPal and that bank. Your PayPal balance stays the same, and your credit is not affected. You can still use PayPal to send and receive money; you just cannot transfer to that specific bank account anymore.
What if I accidentally delete the wrong bank account?
Add it back by going to Wallet and clicking Link a bank account. Enter the routing and account number again. PayPal will send two test deposits to verify ownership, which takes one to two business days. Once verified, the account is linked again and you can use it normally.
Do I need to tell my bank that I deleted the account from PayPal?
No. Deleting the account from PayPal does not affect your bank account itself. Your bank will not know you removed the link unless you tell them. The account remains open and active at your bank.
Can someone else see that I deleted a bank account?
No. Only you and PayPal can see your Wallet and linked accounts. Deleting an account is private to your account. Other PayPal users cannot see which accounts you have linked or deleted.