eBay Forcing you to give your checking account with routing number and Social Security number

[loriv8473]

Forcing you to give your checking account with routing number and Social Security number . I am not a big seller I just sold a few things I never used that I had then eBay locked my account AFTER selling some stuff saying I had to update my account. I refused to give my private information. I called eBay and of course I was tossed around from one person to another. I asked them why PayPal doesn’t ask you that kind of private information they allow you to use your bank card like a credit card and do two small deposits with one withdrawal to verify. If you are a business they only require your EIN number.  Never do they ask you for your private information. Brittany from eBay the last woman I was talking to said well PayPal is a Financial company and a eBay is a market place. Ok so that supposed to make me feel comfortable giving Them my private information? That is supposed to tell me it’s Secure to do so? I had to ship the stuff I sold to the people because I’m not a jerk but eBay won’t give me my money. I told Britney I was deleting my account she sent me the link. Once I know the people received what they purchased ( because I’m honest)  and want to make sure they got it even though it cost me money. I WAS a victim of fraud twice. My SS# was stolen and it ended up freezing my tax returns and the second time I had my bank account drained. I was told by the police to NEVER give your SS # out other than in person and never give your routing # out unless it’s in person or a government site which have very high security and Only if you need to exp: direct deposit tax return. I have never given it out since. There is NO good reason eBay needs that. They have documentation they took the sales tax out. Personally I think anyone that got ripped off by eBay and they will not give them their money back need to get together and sue eBay. 

[hurryagain]

@mam98031 

Hi again!

I have another question...

I am registering for MP and my address for everything is a PO Box...my bank...driver's license...everything has my PO Box...

MP is saying that I cannot use my PO Box for the address...how on earth are they going to verify anything?  They go to my bank, the address is my PO Box.  They ask for my driver's license...guess what???...PO Box again - my PO Box is on my DL too.

I am not sure as to how to proceed and I am hoping that you have a suggestion for me.

Thanks again in advance!

🏆😊

[mam98031]

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@hurryagain wrote:

@mam98031 

Hi again!

I have another question...

I am registering for MP and my address for everything is a PO Box...my bank...driver's license...everything has my PO Box...

MP is saying that I cannot use my PO Box for the address...how on earth are they going to verify anything?  They go to my bank, the address is my PO Box.  They ask for my driver's license...guess what???...PO Box again - my PO Box is on my DL too.

I am not sure as to how to proceed and I am hoping that you have a suggestion for me.

Thanks again in advance!

🏆😊

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The Anti Money Laundering federal laws won't allow MP to accept a PO box.  You can use your PO box as your return to address, but your primary address has to be a physical address.  There is no choice in this for you or for Ebay.

Common reasons for needing further verification on your MP account.  Sometimes it does take an MP team member to help fix this issue but sometimes it can be troubleshooted by the seller themselves.  Check the following. 

For any field you update, clear the field and retype the entire entry.  Don’t just adjust the field for any changes.  Clear it and start fresh.

1. Make sure you birth date is correct on your Ebay set up.
2. Your primary address can NOT be a PO box, it needs to be a physical address.
3. Your name on your Ebay account must PERFECTLY match your bank account you want to attach without the least little exception.  If you have a middle initial on one and not the other, that will be enough to cause you issues.  They must be perfectly matched.
4. Verify your routing number and account number before entering it.  Review it carefully on screen before committing it.  If you have the need to correct your routing number or your bank account number, clear the field FIRST.  Then re-enter the numbers.  Sounds unimportant, but it is something that can make the difference.
5.   The bank account you attach MUST be a checking account.
6.   Verify that your SSN, EIN or TIN is correctly entered, no dashes, just numbers.

@hurryagain 

[hurryagain]

Well...hopefully my address does not trip up the process since my PO Box is on everything.

Thanks again @mam98031  - you da bomb! 😊🥇

[mam98031]

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@hurryagain wrote:

Well...hopefully my address does not trip up the process since my PO Box is on everything.

Thanks again @mam98031  - you da bomb! 😊🥇

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Go into your Ebay account and change it right away on your primary address.  Put your physical address on it.  You have to do that as it just won't help you at all not to do the change.  MP has no choice, they can't process your money until you fix it.

Always a pleasure to assist you.  You are always so nice.  😍

[hurryagain]

@mam98031 

I just saw your post above and panicked and went into my selling account to change that.  The interesting thing is that when I went in there, it was already changed...?

Somehow MP changed my address in my account settings...I guess...?  Does that seem a bit odd or am I looking at the wrong area?

It is updated in this area...is this the area that I needed to update my address in?

[vintagecraze50]

They need your bank account info to deposit your payments, they need your SSN to be certain it is YOU and because they have to report to the IRS. Now, if you have an EIN that possibly could be substituted for IRS reporting. Most smaller Ebay sellers probably use their SSN for tax purposes. Have been in MP for nearly 2 years and have not had any major issues.

[loveyourimagination49]

Yes it was. Not mam, but...

They grabbed my middle initial from somewhere. 
Everyone saying middle initial is needed, if on your bank info, may not be needed for everyone.

[mam98031]

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@hurryagain wrote:

@mam98031 

I just saw your post above and panicked and went into my selling account to change that.  The interesting thing is that when I went in there, it was already changed...?

Somehow MP changed my address in my account settings...I guess...?  Does that seem a bit odd or am I looking at the wrong area?

It is updated in this area...is this the area that I needed to update my address in?

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I can't imagine Ebay would change that.  The only place you need to have your physical address for purposes of MP is in the first area "Registration Address".  The other addresses need to be exactly what you need them to be whether that is your PO box or something else.

And no need to panic.  You just need to to be correct.

@hurryagain 

[mam98031]

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@loveyourimagination49 wrote:

Yes it was. Not mam, but...

They grabbed my middle initial from somewhere. 
Everyone saying middle initial is needed, if on your bank info, may not be needed for everyone.

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You only need the middle initial on your Ebay account IF it is on your bank account you are attaching.  Both must PERFECTLY match.  It is always easier to change you Ebay account than it is to change it at your bank.

[readabouthorses]

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@hurryagain wrote:

@mam98031 

I just saw your post above and panicked and went into my selling account to change that.  The interesting thing is that when I went in there, it was already changed...?

Somehow MP changed my address in my account settings...I guess...?  Does that seem a bit odd or am I looking at the wrong area?

It is updated in this area...is this the area that I needed to update my address in?

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I've been trying to get to the bottom of what they will be using that physical address for. See where it says your main contact address? Contact how? I recently updated another account I have that is used for absolutely nothing and I was FORCED to change the address from a PO Box to physical address so I really really really would like to know in what context will the address be used for CONTACT. 

[mam98031]

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@readabouthorses wrote:

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@hurryagain wrote:

@mam98031 

I just saw your post above and panicked and went into my selling account to change that.  The interesting thing is that when I went in there, it was already changed...?

Somehow MP changed my address in my account settings...I guess...?  Does that seem a bit odd or am I looking at the wrong area?

It is updated in this area...is this the area that I needed to update my address in?

---

I've been trying to get to the bottom of what they will be using that physical address for. See where it says your main contact address? Contact how? I recently updated another account I have that is used for absolutely nothing and I was FORCED to change the address from a PO Box to physical address so I really really really would like to know in what context will the address be used for CONTACT. 

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payments_team@ebay 

I tagged your post as they are more knowledgeable on your question than I am.  My guess is that the physical address is a requirement of the identification process as set forth by the Anti Money Laundering law.

I did however think that it was only for the Registered Address.  Are you saying it is not for the Registered Address but for the Contact Address?  Or both?

@readabouthorses 

[readabouthorses]

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@mam98031 wrote:

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@readabouthorses wrote:

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@hurryagain wrote:

@mam98031 

I just saw your post above and panicked and went into my selling account to change that.  The interesting thing is that when I went in there, it was already changed...?

Somehow MP changed my address in my account settings...I guess...?  Does that seem a bit odd or am I looking at the wrong area?

It is updated in this area...is this the area that I needed to update my address in?

---

I've been trying to get to the bottom of what they will be using that physical address for. See where it says your main contact address? Contact how? I recently updated another account I have that is used for absolutely nothing and I was FORCED to change the address from a PO Box to physical address so I really really really would like to know in what context will the address be used for CONTACT. 

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payments_team@ebay 

I tagged your post as they are more knowledgeable on your question than I am.  My guess is that the physical address is a requirement of the identification process as set forth by the Anti Money Laundering law.

I did however think that it was only for the Registered Address.  Are you saying it is not for the Registered Address but for the Contact Address?  Or both?

@readabouthorses 

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See under the Registration Address section where it says Your main contact address: it forced me change the Registration Address which then changed the Contact Address on the Personal info section ... changed it to my physical address. So again ... since it says CONTACT then what does that mean? Contact at this address? How? See how absolutely dumb and misleading this can be. All I can say is if this is how eBay ran Billpoint then I can see why it failed so miserably (they still owe me money LOL)

[lueckegirl]

Since eBay allowed my account to be hacked a few years ago, I will not be giving them my SS #.  I’m a big seller and I’m outta here. 

[mam98031]

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@lueckegirl wrote:

Since eBay allowed my account to be hacked a few years ago, I will not be giving them my SS #.  I’m a big seller and I’m outta here. 

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@lueckegirl 

Ebay doesn't "allow" an account to get hacked anymore than PP does.  Individual accounts get hacked does not mean there is a Site issue.  My PP account was hacked a few months back.  Pretty scary stuff to be sure.  But PP didn't do anything wrong.  Sometimes hackers get ahold of your information via other means.  Sometimes it is an individual we share too much with.  Or maybe doing too much with an unsecure or mobile device or wifi connection.  It can be a multitude of reasons why an individual account can be hacked on ANY site.

[lacemaker3]

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@mam98031 wrote:

Back in 2011/2012 you were required to give it to PP because of new IRS rules regarding 1099Ks.

Let me know if you want more information.

https://mollaeilaw.com/blog/paypal-ssn-information/

https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/why-do-i-need-to-provide-my-social-security-number-when-...

https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/paypal%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%99s-customer-identification-progra...

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I read through those links, and from what I saw, the IRS and PayPal both require the SSN when a seller reaches or exceeds the thresholds for the 1099. Some states have set lower limits (and it seems like more states are doing that all the time), so logically, the SSN would be required when a seller reaches or exceeds their state's thresholds as well (if they are lower than the IRS thresholds).

The first link says that buyers don't have to give PayPal their SSN (and advises them not to). Buyers normally open a personal account, not a business account. This suggests that:

• PayPal does not require an SSN for a personal account.

PayPal does allow personal accounts to receive money, and they can be used for selling. This explains how and why some sellers have not been required to provide their SSN to PayPal. This is consistent with the information provided by some sellers, who showed screenshots of their PayPal accounts without an SSN. Some of those sellers have also mentioned that they don't have a PayPal cash account either. I believe that an SSN is required for that. Of course, virtually all PayPal accounts have a bank account attached, and if the taxman or law enforcement need to trace the individual or the money, the bank account will have an SSN on record.

Logically, PayPal can do that, because PayPal only allows one personal account per person. (They also allow an individual to have one business account, and one micropayments account. But those are both business accounts, so they require a SSN for those.) If an individual's personal PayPal account gets close to the 1099 thresholds (whether the IRS or their state's thresholds), then PayPal can request the SSN, and they can stop the account from receiving any more payments if that would put the account over the threshold and there isn't an SSN on file. 

So, that is how PayPal can get away with not requiring an SSN for all accounts, unless the account gets close to the 1099 threshold. It's because they only allow one personal account per individual, and they do require an SSN if an individual has more than one account, or just a business account.

However, eBay does not put any limits on how many accounts an individual can have. A 1099 is required when an individual's total sales reach or exceed the thresholds, so if the sales are divided up between multiple accounts, eBay has to be able to link the accounts together with 100% reliability in order to be able to calculate the total sales over all accounts. Otherwise, an individual who didn't want to receive a 1099 would simply use multiple accounts so their sales on any one account would not reach the thresholds.

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/fees-credits-invoices/ebay-form-1099k?id=4794#section1

Until now, eBay has not had any way to be certain that they can positively identify all accounts that are owned by an individual. They have relied on matching names, addresses, IP addresses, etc., but it is possible (by being very careful) to defeat those methods. eBay's existing methods for linking accounts are good, but not 100% reliable.

To comply with the IRS requirement to file 1099s, eBay has to have a way to link accounts that is 100% reliable. In practical terms, probably the only way to do this is to require a TIN (tax identification number) for all selling accounts. The TIN can be either an SSN, or an Employer Identification Number. 

So, eBay requires all accounts to provide a TIN or SSN, because eBay allows individuals to have as many accounts as they want. eBay needs to have a way to link all the related accounts, so that they can calculate the total sales over all the accounts, to determine when the total sales reach or exceed the 1099 reporting thresholds.