I have made a point of not having my bank account linked to paypal for purchases, only my credit card. But this morning I was doing some online banking and discovered they have had their greasy mitts in my bank and taken a purchase from there instead of my credit card. I'm furious, they have no right or authorisation to be accessing my bank account.
So if I'd purchased something and wanted to be covered by the fraud protection offered by my visa card, I wouldnt have it.
Banking ombudsman will be hearing about this for sure.
I've sent complaints to both Paypal and FOS. This makes me madder the more I think about it. After I verified my bank account so I could withdraw funds to it, I immediately revoked their access to it for other purposes. It even shows on my paypal account as still needing to be set up. I also put in writing at the time they were denied permission to withdraw from my bank account.
I've never trusted paypal and this is why. Luckily its just a small amount, but the amount is not the point. Its the unauthorised access.
Funding always defaults to balance, then bank account, then credit card. Saves them from chargebacks and probably credit card fees.
Never in all these years have they used my bank account though, after I used it to verify my account I immediately removed it and its been there unconfirmed ever since. It even has a red flag next to it reminding me to confirm so that I can use it for funding purchases.
At the time I removed it I also emailed them a letter expressly forbidding them from accessing my bank account.
Having spent a few years giving advice on the paypal board back when we had one, the last thing I ever wanted was paypal sticking their filthy fingers into my bank account. Its so much harder to recoup money fraudulently taken from an account than it is from a credit card.
They replied to my complaint with a list of FAQ's 
Gotta love the FOS, have already had a reply from paypal lol.
Aparently they say I cant stop them withdrawing from my bank account unless I remove the account or change funding source at time of purchase. I have reminded them that my account is uncorfirmed and has been for the last 8 years at least and has never been used as a funding source. I have asked for an explanation of their ability/right to access an unconfirmed account because if thats the case I could link anybodies bank account and start spending someone elses money.
Paypal and FOS have certainly not heard the last of me on this issue. I agree that it cant be legal and I did mention that to paypal. I'll be visiting my bank on this issue too and making sure they can somehow block paypals access to my accounts.
