Total CFPB complaints
1,603
All-time across CCDB intake
This data comes from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database and reflects consumer complaints, not proven violations.
2026 CFPB data Public-data reference. FDCPA reference 1,603 complaints
Paypal Holdings, Inc — Debt Collector Complaint Profile
CFPB complaint profile across 52 states. Updated as new federal complaint data lands in the upstream Consumer Complaint Database.
Complaints by issue type
What consumers report about Paypal Holdings, Inc
- Attempts to collect debt not owed
Attempts to collect debt not owed
846 complaints
- Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed 122
Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed
122 complaints
- False statements or representation 106
False statements or representation
106 complaints
- Written notification about debt 95
Written notification about debt
95 complaints
- Communication tactics 81
Communication tactics
81 complaints
- Took or threatened to take negative or legal action 38
Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
38 complaints
D
Grade D · 56.7/100 composite
This collector has a poor complaint record with above-average complaints and below-average response rates.
What do CFPB complaints reveal about Paypal Holdings, Inc?
Paypal Holdings, Inc has accumulated 1,603 total CFPB complaints across 52 states, with 222 filed in the most recent 12 months against 1,381 historical complaints before that window. The trailing-12-month volume represents 13.8% of the full complaint history, a rising pattern that suggests escalating consumer friction rather than a legacy book of disputes.
The dominant consumer grievance logged with the CFPB is "Attempts to collect debt not owed", narrowing to "Debt is not yours", which aligns with FDCPA-regulated conduct and signals the operational area most likely to trigger regulator scrutiny. The company posts a 100% timely-response rate against a 16% consumer-dispute-after-response rate, a pairing that calibrates how well its complaint-resolution workflow holds up once a consumer pushes back.
Complaints have been recorded across 52 states, led by California with 251 and Florida with 132, which matches a multi-state collection footprint rather than a regional operation. Normalized against the full CFPB collector database, the reputation score of 56.7/100 places Paypal Holdings, Inc in grade band D, a tier reached by blending complaint volume, response timeliness, dispute rates, and issue severity into a single comparable metric.
Complaint Summary
Last 12 months
222
13.8% of total history
Rising ↑
States active
52
Distinct state filings
Timely response rate
100%
Within CFPB SLA window
Consumer disputes
16%
After company response
Reputation grade
D
56.7/100 composite
Response-quality profile
How Paypal Holdings, Inc performs on CFPB resolution-quality metrics versus a fleet average benchmark drawn from the full debt-collection vertical.
Timely response within SLA 99.6%
Vertical avg
CFPB requires companies to respond within 15 days for most complaints; 60 days for credit-reporting.
Consumer dispute rate (post-response) 31.6%
Vertical avg
Lower is better. The percentage of consumers who flagged the company's response as unsatisfactory.
State coverage breadth 92.9%
Share of US states + territories with at least one filed complaint against this collector.
How does Paypal Holdings, Inc compare to its peers?
Paypal Holdings, Inc National average
Complaints (last 12 mo)lower is better
Timely-response ratehigher is better
Consumer-dispute ratelower is better
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Complaints reflect consumer reports, not proven violations.
Complaint Trend (24 months)
2024-04 2026-03
Top Consumer Issues
Attempts to collect debt not owed846 (%)
Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed122 (%)
False statements or representation106 (%)
Communication tactics81 (%)
Written notification about debt95 (%)
Took or threatened to take negative or legal action38 (%)
Electronic communications33 (%)
Most common issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Know Your Rights
If this company is contacting you, you have rights under the FDCPA. They must stop contacting you if you send a written cease-communication request. You can also request written validation of the debt within 30 days.
Issue Detail Breakdown
| Issue | Sub-Issue | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Attempts to collect debt not owed | Debt is not yours | 470 |
| Attempts to collect debt not owed | Debt was result of identity theft | 282 |
| Cont'd attempts collect debt not owed | Debt is not mine | 122 |
| False statements or representation | Attempted to collect wrong amount | 106 |
| Attempts to collect debt not owed | Debt was paid | 94 |
| Communication tactics | Frequent or repeated calls | 81 |
| Written notification about debt | Didn't receive enough information to verify debt | 64 |
| Took or threatened to take negative or legal action | Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged | 38 |
| Electronic communications | Frequent or repeated messages | 33 |
| Written notification about debt | Didn't receive notice of right to dispute | 31 |
Where do complaints against Paypal Holdings, Inc come from?
The states where consumers have filed the most CFPB complaints against Paypal Holdings, Inc. Every figure is the company's own complaint count in that state — not a national baseline.
Top states by complaints against Paypal Holdings, Inc
Across 52 states with at least one filing
- California
California
251 complaints
- Florida
Florida
132 complaints
- Texas
Texas
102 complaints
- New York 97
New York
97 complaints
- Illinois 64
Illinois
64 complaints
- Ohio 63
Ohio
63 complaints
- New Jersey 57
New Jersey
57 complaints
- Pennsylvania 54
Pennsylvania
54 complaints
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common complaint against Paypal Holdings, Inc? ▼
The most common issue consumers report about Paypal Holdings, Inc is "Attempts to collect debt not owed", specifically "Debt is not yours". This is based on 1,603 complaints filed with the CFPB.
Are complaints against Paypal Holdings, Inc increasing or decreasing? ▼
Complaints against Paypal Holdings, Inc are rising. The company received 222 complaints in the last 12 months, indicating an upward trend in consumer issues.
What is Paypal Holdings, Inc's reputation grade? ▼
Paypal Holdings, Inc has a reputation grade of D (score: 56.7/100). This collector has a poor complaint record with above-average complaints and below-average response rates.
Does Paypal Holdings, Inc respond to consumer complaints? ▼
Paypal Holdings, Inc has a 100% timely response rate to CFPB complaints. Consumers disputed the company's response in 16% of cases.
In how many states does Paypal Holdings, Inc operate? ▼
Paypal Holdings, Inc has received CFPB complaints from consumers in 52 states, with the most complaints from California (251 complaints).
What can I do if Paypal Holdings, Inc is contacting me? ▼
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to request written debt validation within 30 days of first contact. You can also send a cease-communication letter to stop calls. If Paypal Holdings, Inc violates the FDCPA, you may be able to sue for damages up to $1,000 plus attorney fees.
Consumer Guides
Primary source data
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCollector Editorial
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database |