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Anonymous Payments (Complete 2023 Guide)

By: Author Jeremy Davidson

Posted on Last updated:

Categories Financial Apps, Crypto

Disclaimer: This content is not intended to be financial advice and is for informational purposes only. aTimeforCash is reader-supported. We may earn commissions if you buy through our links at no cost to you.

If you’re one of those people who really doesn’t want to be tracked or at the very least, have anyone knowing what you’re spending your money on, you’re probably interested in knowing what payment platforms offer anonymous payments.

Is PayPal anonymous or can you at least make it anonymous? What about Venmo or Cash App?

What are your best options for making an anonymous payment if you want to?

In the article below, I’ve researched several payment platforms and how anonymous they are.

In This Post:

Is PayPal Anonymous?

PayPal is an e-commerce platform owned by eBay Inc. PayPal allows users to pay for goods and services online via credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks.

 Users need to sign into their accounts with their email addresses; however, they can remain completely anonymous when making purchases. All information about the transaction is kept confidential. 

For example, if you purchase something from Amazon, you would enter your payment credentials into the website. Once the order has been placed, Amazon sends out an email containing a unique reference number to your PayPal account. Your PayPal account is linked to your bank account, so you can withdraw the amount of money you paid for the item.

Can PayPal Be Anonymous?

PayPal is not completely anonymous, it is semi-anonymous, but you can get away with paying anonymously. There are many ways to do this, but here are some tips on how to stay anonymous while buying things online:

  1. You must create a new email address for your PayPal account.
  2. Log into your PayPal account and click “Send Money” under the “More Options” tab.
  3. Select “Create New Account” and follow the prompts.
  4. Add a new card to your PayPal account and wait until you receive the code from your new card.

Now, go back to the site you wish to buy items from and enter the code on your card. You won’t be identified as long as you haven’t used your original email address.

It is vital to note that this process is done only on the site; therefore, one must be online. Additionally, your recipient will only see your name and email id. They will never know who sent them the money.

Can You Send Money Anonymously on PAYPAL?

Yes, you can send money anonymously on Pay Pal. You can do so by;

  1. On PayPal, you can establish a modification email address.
  2. Money transfer services are a wonderful choice…
  3. A third party should deliver the cash.
  4. You can make an anonymous donation to a Gofundme account 
  5. A blank check is printed.

Additionally, you will need a virtual credit card to fund your account. People also use prepaid cards to avoid using their debit or credit cards linked to their bank accounts. Hence your bank information is not disclosed at all.

You can also opt to register your account as a business account, in which case you will be able to accept credit cards. As a result, you can configure your business mail as your pseudonym, which will be visible in transactions. It may appear to be a hassle, but it is necessary if you wish to donate money anonymously.

Another method is to use a prepaid card. A prepaid card is like a gift card that allows you to buy things with cash instead of a credit card. These cards are available from grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, etc. Some of these cards even allow you to withdraw cash directly from ATMs.

The last option is to create a new Bitcoin address every time you purchase. When you create a new Bitcoin address, you won’t need to provide any personal information. As long as you keep track of your addresses, you should be safe.

The best thing about sending money online is that you don’t need to worry about getting scammed because transactions are done via secure platforms. Therefore, if you are looking for a way to send money anonymously, you can try any of these methods.

Can You Receive Money on PayPal Anonymously?

Yes, you Can Receive Money on PayPal Anonymously. You can do so by;

  1. Setting up a new email address for receiving funds
  2. Using a prepaid card
  3. Using a third-party service
  4. Create a new Bitcoin address wallet every time you make a transaction.
  5. One can attempt to hide the IP address using Tor or VPNs.

Is Venmo Anonymous?

Venmo is a social payments app that lets you send money to friends easily. It was launched in 2009 by Facebook and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. The company claims that its privacy policy ensures that no personal data is shared. 

However, there have been reports about the company’s lack of transparency regarding user information. Users’ payment details are stored on the company’s servers.

Venmo is anonymous only if you use the app without sharing your real name or phone number. If you share your identity, you might be identifiable through other means, such as your email address or phone number.

It is important to note that as Venmo incorporates friends- friends, privacy settings and payment options are limited. Therefore the user must be careful since it’s even possible to make the completed transaction public.

Is Cash App Anonymous?

Cash App is an easy-to-use mobile application that allows you to send money to anyone within seconds. It works just like Venmo, except it doesn’t require you to share your real name or phone number.

Moreover, you can transfer money using distinctive identities known as $Cashtag, which eliminates the need for banking information.

However, there are some drawbacks associated with this app. For example, without verification of identity, it has a limit of $250 per day.

You can make a payment request by providing someone’s email or phone number. After receiving the request, both parties must confirm their banking details before the transfer can proceed.

This service is non-restrictive and gives you more options for transferring your wallet. When buying items, it provides an appropriate barrier to your privacy. It even allows for Bitcoin trading.

Is Zelle Anonymous?

Zelle is a peer-to-peer electronic cash system developed by LLS. It enables individuals to send and receive money instantly from each other. This feature makes it easier for people to pay bills, buy goods, and donate money.

The app is free to download and offers many features, including the ability to make transfers between bank accounts.

There are two ways to send money:

  1. Payment requests allow you to send money to another person’s account.
  2. Transfers – These enable you to send money directly to another person’s bank account.

Both methods are completely private and secure.

Unlike PayPal, however, Zelle does not provide any form of anonymity. Therefore, if you want to remain anonymous while making payments, you should consider using another method. Since using Zelle you must have a registered email address to make a transaction, hence your identity is revealed.

Best Anonymous Payment Methods

When it comes to paying anonymously, it is essential to find a way to do so that is convenient, secure, and cost-effective. Here are some best anonymous payment methods:

1. Bitcoin

Bitcoin is a digital currency that uses cryptography to control the generation of currency units and verify transactions. Satoshi Nakamoto created it in 2008.

To purchase bitcoins, you will first need to create an online wallet. Afterward, you can trade bitcoin with others or convert them into fiat currencies.

Pros:

•It is very secure because no central authority controls its supply.

•It is fast and cheap.

•It is decentralized, which means there is no single point of failure.

Cons:

•It isn’t easy to use without having technical knowledge.

•It requires advanced hardware such as a computer and an internet connection.

2. Prepaid debit cards

A prepaid card is a plastic card that contains funds that can be used at ATMs. You can easily withdraw these funds from ATMs worldwide.

These cards come in various denominations and offer great flexibility regarding spending. They are ideal if you don’t want to reveal your personal information.

Pros:

You can spend the money on anything.

They are easy to use.

You can withdraw the money from anywhere.

Cons:

You cannot use them for purchases made online.

3. Virtual Credit cards

Virtual credit cards are anonymous payments. They are credit card numbers that allow you to make purchases with your actual credit card without divulging your original credit card account information.

This method works like a regular credit card but is only available to those who have access to virtual terminals.

Pros:

No one needs to know about the transaction.

The transaction costs are low.

There is no risk involved.

Cons:

You cannot get refunds.

4. Prepaid Gift cards

Gift cards are prepaid card that allows you to purchase items online. The gift card number is linked to your bank account, and you can use it to make purchases.

Gift cards are an anonymous payment method in that they require no personal identification/credentials. However, they are limited to physical stores and online retailers.

Pros:

They are easy to buy and sell.

They are safe since they are linked to your bank account.

Cons:

They are expensive

5. Google Play

Google Play is an app store where you can download apps for free. Google Play also offers services such as cloud storage and messaging.

Using Google Play is simple and easy. You need to sign up for an account and then search for the app you wish to download.

It works well as an anonymous payment method since you can add bank information, credit card details, and other sensitive data. If you are using an app, you will need the recipient’s address, so ensure that you include this information before making purchases.

6. Cash

Cash is a form of currency that is not electronically stored or transferred. It is usually carried around in small/large amounts by individuals.

Cash transactions are anonymous in that no personal information is required. It makes cash perfect for people who prefer to keep things private.

Pros:

It is ideal for smaller purchases.

It is easy to carry.

Cons:

Not available for online payment transactions

7. Paysafecard

A Paysafecard is a prepaid debit card that gives users access to funds. You can load money onto the card, which is then used to make purchases.

Paysafecard is an anonymous payment app that allows users to find stores that offer prepaid Paysafecard vouchers. Consumers can then purchase the vouchers with cash and make anonymous online payments using the Paysafecard 16-digit PIN. They brag about being the most popular online prepaid payment option globally.

Pros:

You don’t need any personal information to use the card.

You can use it to make both online and offline purchases.

The card comes in different denominations, so you can choose how much you want to spend.

Cons:

Some stores may refuse to accept the card due to security reasons.

8. Third-party private payment services

These are third-party companies that provide secure ways to make payments. These services are ideal for those who like to remain anonymous when shopping online. However, it is advisable to perform thorough research on these services before choosing them.

How to Receive Money Anonymously?

To receive money anonymously here is one of the best payment methods one can choose from however; you should always perform thorough research on how to use these methods;

  1. Cryptocurrencies
  2. Virtual cards
  3. Cash
  4. Paysafecard
  5. Cash App
  6. Google pay

You should note that cash is the best option for an offline anonymous payment method.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, while making anonymous transactions, it would be best to research the methods mentioned above thoroughly. Using cash is the best; however, it doesn’t allow online payment transactions.

On the other hand, all of these tactics are difficult to attribute to you directly. You may, for example, receive money in cryptocurrencies, convert it to currency, and then deposit it into your bank account. Alternatively, if you use Cash App, neither the receiving nor sending parties are aware of one other’s identities, making receiving funds a safe and anonymous choice.

References

  1. https://cybernews.com/resources/the-ultimate-guide-to-safe-and-anonymous-online-payment-methods/
  2. https://www.ictsd.org/can-i-receive-money-anonymously-with-paypal/
  3. https://techcrawlr.com/how-to-anonymously-send-money-on-paypal/