A descriptor is what customers see on their bank statements when purchasing through merchants’ mobile apps or websites.
PayPal does not share card data in transactions, making external alert matching challenging when using only the amount and date range. However, merchants can accurately match transaction alerts using the dynamic function of PayPal descriptors, also known as soft descriptors.
Accurate descriptors reduce confusion and disputes and support efficient dispute resolution processes and reconciliation between an alert and PayPal transaction.
Effective alert matching
Facilitates accurate identification of transactions in external alert systems, enhancing risk management processes.
Descriptor structure
Every descriptor follows this format:
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Total length must not exceed 22 characters.
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PAYPAL *fixed, always 8 characters -
STATIC_PARTyour merchant or brand name set up in your PayPal account -
DYNAMIC_PARTcustomizable, generated uniquely per transactionTypically includes a product identifier and 4 random alphanumeric characters.
Configure descriptor
To set or change the STATIC_PART
- Log in to your PayPal account.
- Navigate to Profile > Account settings > Business information.
- Next to Business information, click on Update.
- Click on Edit to modify your Credit Card statement name.
- Click on Save to confirm changes.
The format of the descriptor must be followed according to PayPal requirements.