Permanent suspension after first-ever listing, from a new device — has anyone seen this reversed?
Summary: bouzoglade reported that their wife's eBay account, which had never listed items before, was permanently suspended shortly after posting a used backpack cooler from a new device. They suspect that the combination of a first listing, a new device, and a high-value item prompted an automated security response. Despite appealing, they found no resolution and sought advice from other community members. Responses suggested that permanent suspensions are rarely reversed, and some speculated on possible triggers, including security concerns or missing bank details. Alternatives such as legal actions were briefly mentioned, but overall, participants expressed skepticism about reversing permanent suspensions without a clear appeals process.
Posting on behalf of my wife. Her account (buyer only since 2025 ~3 purchases, 100% feedback, no violations, no fees owed) was permanently suspended within weeks of her first-ever listing.
The listing: one used Yeti backpack cooler, a gift to us, described as used once, priced slightly above market. Our own photos, taken at home. One item, nothing else ever listed.
The one thing that stands out: she created it on our iPad, which she'd never used with eBay before, because she wanted the better camera. So from eBay's side the account showed a brand-new device, a first-ever listing, and a brand-name item in a single session. I'm guessing that lit up an account-takeover model.
Notice said "recent account activity has raised security concerns." No policy named, no listing referenced. Appeal came back "we have confirmed our decision" fast enough that I doubt a human looked. Phone support asked knowledge-based ID questions, including one about a bank account — she's never linked a bank, only a credit card.
Two questions for anyone who's been through this:
Does the new-device-plus-first-listing pattern match what you've seen, or does "security concerns" usually mean something else?
Is there any way to get the actual reason code, or to find out whether a payout method was added to the account? If someone did get in, that changes everything and I'd like to know.
Not looking for sympathy, looking for the right door to knock on. Thanks.
grand-and-glorious-purpose
·6 days ago · EditedThere are so many secret rules and double secret rules you probably won't ever know why.
Was the ipad previously owned?
Another thing that could have triggered it is your wife using the ipad or accessing ebay from some other wifi the owner of which was doing an ebay no-no often enough they got booted and everyone else who signed into ebay on that wifi got booted too.
Or someone is using your wife's SSN to do some cyber badness.
kensgiftshop
·6 days agoDon't be surprised if your account also gets suspended.
inhawaii
·1 week agoPermanent suspensions are not reversed, otherwise they would not be permanent.
mkaczorsee
·1 week ago"she's never linked a bank" -- this may have been the trigger. How did she expect to get paid?
bouzoglade
OP1 week agoI thought ebay would hold the funds until the bank account was connected.
mam98031
·6 days agoThey have no choice but to hold the funds when you don't have a bank account attached. So yes they hold it. Forever, no. How long have you left it this way? Why haven't you resolved it long before now?
bouzoglade
OP6 days agobecause she never sold anything before.
duffy4444
·1 week ago · EditedNo matter what triggered the permanent suspension, permanent means permanent, not temporary. Sorry...
Cheers, Duffy
bouzoglade
OP1 week agoWithout any lower level of suspension or warning first? And no recourse or appeal path? That seems very unfair, but certainly possible.
grann-4629
·6 days agoI don't think eBay has an appeals department ... sorry.
mam98031
·6 days agoNo if their perceived infraction by you is that serious. No warning, they will just shut you down.
grand-and-glorious-purpose
·6 days agoYou can get a court order. Ebay complies with those.
momtoabeautifuldaughter
·6 days ago@bouzoglade this account you are posting from will probably be banned soon as well.