A message for ebay

[intheshadows247]

Why all of a sudden is ebay asking to upload a photo ID after already forcing me to give my social security number? This is an online store, there is no effing reason to require that much personal information. They now notified me that they will hold my funds until I update that information. Okay eBay. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. I'm officially done with this crappy website. Customer service is trash with no one who speaks English and you can't even contact them directly because they don't want to deal with anybody. Robbing people blind with their outrageous selling fees.

[house*of*paws]

Hi @intheshadows247 

Sellers have been asked to produced photo IDs for quite some time now.  It wasn’t eBay’s idea.  I believe eBay was required to obtain that information by our government for tax purposes … so you’ll probably find other venues requiring that information as well.

[redmodelt]

Well guess because it is eBay site and if you did want to continue selling here, you would need to upload the asked for information, some of which is required by federal law now. 

All fees are published and you agree to them when you signed up and listed your items. 

If you are done, you should pull your current listings and close your account, especially as you don't want to give asked for information and payouts will continue to be held. 

Good luck finding a marketplace with as much traffic as eBay and does not ask for same information and maybe charges higher fees. 

Or?

Is there something the people here might be able to help you with or offer advice? 

[a_c_green]

---

@intheshadows247 wrote:

Why all of a sudden is ebay asking to upload a photo ID after already forcing me to give my social security number? This is an online store, there is no effing reason to require that much personal information.

---

The photo ID is presumably issued by a government organization (e.g. passport, driver's license), so eBay wants to see it as an indication that your ID has been verified. i.e. The government has already done the work of verifying you and your address, so just show them that ID and you should be all set.

For that matter, there's nothing on my driver's license that's a big secret: birthday, home address and DL number; that's about all, but showing it to eBay shows that the info is genuine because the State of Illinois says so.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@intheshadows247 

Whoa whoa where did this all come from?

My goodness this isn't new, just upload the photo and be done with it. Nobody's going to see it.

[maxine*j]

If you have a message for eBay, send it to eBay.  This forum is peer-to-peer, just other sellers and buyers like yourself. 

As for the ID required, between changes to IRS rules and the introduction of the INFORM Act, eBay is fulfilling federal government requirements. 

Since you do not care to provide the ID, do not do so.  No one can force you to.  Just close your accounts here.  Better get those two listings down pronto, because account closure takes awhile.

-

[krazzykats]

In answer to your first question. Why?  To prevent criminals from selling their bounty on eBay.  To tighten up income tax laws.  To know who's who.

You can no longer sell anonymously on the Internet.

[fashunu4eeuh]

It sounds like you may be unaware of the changes afoot in the retail landscape. It has become standard business practice on eBay for sellers to provide proof of who they are. 

There are reasons behind the requirements. eBay must have your SS# so it can meet the new IRS laws.  All online sellers with $600+ in sales must receive a 1099K from the venues they sell on.

In addition, there is also new legislation that requires online marketplaces to verify sellers with high value sales. (This is to minimize fraud and illicit fencing of stolen goods.) Smartphones fall in a high fraud category and eBay may scrutinize those sales more carefully.

[maxine*j]

---

@intheshadows247 wrote:

... They now notified me that they will hold my funds until I update that information...

---

Just  a head's up:  If you fail to provide the requested information to eBay, which is your right, the funds will eventually be transferred by eBay to your state's unclaimed money unit.  In New Jersey, that's the Unclaimed Property Administration, NJ Treasury Department.  To retrieve your money from that agency, you will have to provide any and all identification that the agency demands.  So, rest assured, that in six to 18 months, and after meeting all the NJ requirements, you will get your funds.

-

[inhawaii]

Dear ebay,

I'm asking this for another member.

Why all of a sudden are you asking to upload a photo ID after already forcing them to give their social security number? 

Siincerely,

inhawaii

[richard1rst]

Because Big Brother is watching and doesn't take no for an answer.

[krazzykats]

Because you agreed to it.  (I am a kat, not eBay)

Registering as a seller | eBay

[inhawaii]

Sorry, I was trying to reach ebay.    😉

[ms.rodriguez*]

How would ebay know that you are a you?  Supposed you died or were in jail or ill and a friend or ex-girl took over your account and started selling and ripping off buyers.  Don't laugh, this has happened hundreds of times.  What if you used your dead grandfathers social security number or a stolen social security number and sent that to ebay?  Don't laugh,that  too has happened.  Your ID must match your social security number and it must also match the name on the account.  Ebay is doing this to keep Ebay safe.   ALL other online sites that take online payments are also doing this.   The only people that object to this are the ones without the valid social security numbers, the valid  IDs and perhaps those wanted for crimes.   Give ebay what they ask and they will leave you in peace.   Frankly, this requirement should be done every year or so to make sure that the rightful owner of that account is using the account.   Goodluck on your sales.

P.S.  Ebay fees have actually not risen that much in 10 years.  Now postal rates,  those are sky high and will likely increase a bit more in the next month or so.

[dnasilver]

Postal rates are still cheap compared to you delivering an item to the middle of nowhere North Dakota.