Can't sell due to my number being voip?

[tralow-7]

So I signed up eBay using my telephone number and now going through the process of wanting to sell something on eBay I was blocked due to my number being VoIP. Then the rep tells me that I can purchase things on eBay having the VoIP number but I can't sell anything on the platform. Where I'm confused I guess is where for security purposes eBay sent me Verification codes to the exact number I signed up with and verified me but blocks me at the same time because I can't be verified according to the eBay rep. Can someone please enlighten me where I can't be verified due to my number but they sent me verification codes to my number.

[devon@ebay]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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devon@ebay wrote:

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@rfmtm wrote:

devon@ebay  What if the VOIP phone can receive SMS text messages for the authentication?   That is what I use on numerous other websites. 

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@rfmtm For accounts that are being used for buying only that will work. For accounts that are wanting to sell we can only have them verified through mobile numbers that receives SMS. We no longer use VoIP numbers for verification for selling accounts. 

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Hello devon@ebay 

For these types of newly implemented policies like  use mobile numbers from a cell phone carrier to begin selling  are they officially declared anywhere in help? I have run across this a few times for 2 step verification.  I do not own a cell phone due to severe arthritis. Voice command is a non starter. Many others are in similar situations. Being a long time seller would I be able to create a new account without a cell phone? Sounds like a policy implemented without grasping the negative ramifications!!!

-Lotzofuniquegoodies

@readabouthorses 

Other half has a cell but account was registered in my name using a landline which we still use along with an AOL email address. 

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@lotzofuniquegoodies We will make sure to get this passed along to our Help Pages team and if there are any updates from them I will be sure to let you know!

[devon@ebay]

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@clemowbooks wrote:

devon@ebay 

For any new sellers they will be required to have a mobile phone number to verify in order to sell. 

What alternatives do you have for those of us with landlines?

Surely a landline, which is anchored to a physical address is more verifiable than a wandering machine run off a cloud?

I fully understand why a VoIP number would not be verifiable, but how about passports? driving licenses? firearm licenses?

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@clemowbooks For now any new sellers will have to have a mobile phone number that can be verified through our system via SMS. As our security system evolves we will be sure to share any updates to all of our members.   

[readabouthorses]

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@yuzuha wrote:

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@readabouthorses wrote:

So does that mean eBay is ASSUMING everyone has a cellphone and has good enough cell service to use it? We all know what happens when you ASSUME.

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I would venture to guess that these days 99% of people have a cellphone, even if it's just a cheap prepaid one. Let's put it this way: I know a great number of people who do not have a landline phone. I don't know a single person who doesn't have a cellphone-- the people I know have either a cellphone and a landline or a cellphone in place of a landline. I don't know anyone who only has a landline and NOT a cellphone as well.

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I have a landline and a useless cellphone because service where I live is spotty at best.  There are sections in my county where you can't even get one bar ... I can get one bar if I go outside and hold phone up in the air. This is an old old flip phone. Here would be the problem: yes, I could go buy a brand new top of the line cellphone and still not get service good enough for eBay to be trying to contact me.

I would like to see the information in the seller policies about this cellphone policy. Does anyone know where to find this?

[nocoolnamejane]

Why do I get the sinking feeling this thread is basically teaching would be scammers to just use a burner?

[chapeau-noir]

I use VoIP.  This may help explain things a little.  Basically, VoIP is not able to be traced back to the owner.  We simply transferred our old landline number to VoIP, but it was quite a while ago.

[lepke1979]

Try signing up for a Google Voice account and see if that works. I can't recall if that's what I used to initially sign up. But it's what phone number is there now. And has no trouble with Two-Factor at least.

[lepke1979]

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@nocoolnamejane wrote:

Why do I get the sinking feeling this thread is basically teaching would be scammers to just use a burner?

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Only the dumb ones wouldn't. Or what they might do is try to get you to send them a code via Facebook or Craigslist when you're trying to sell something. Plenty of times they'll message you feigning interest and try to get your phone number. To then send you a code because "I'm sending you a code to verify you're not a scammer" or something dumb like that that apparently people fall for.

[clemowbooks]

Plenty of times they'll message you feigning interest and try to get your phone number.

True, but the question here is what eBay and Managed Payments are using to confirm the identity of sellers and to confirm that MP will have a  matching checking account to use both to transfer funds from payments and to collect monthly fees, such as Store subscriptions.

So the intention is to use a mobile phone which accepts texting (and landlines don't) as confirmation of identity. 

I just don't see how something as unreliable as a cell phone which has to be powered up constantly and also in range of  some service should be that confirmation.

I am admittedly a technodolt.

[amsze]

this is

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devon@ebay wrote:

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@rfmtm wrote:

devon@ebay   I have VOIP phones as do many others I know that sell on ebay.  Never was a problem in the past.  So now you are saying the VOIP phone has to receive SMS?   Although many do, many do not, so does that now mean none of those users can sell on ebay?  Ebay can't just call with the verification code like other venues do?

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@rfmtm ... For any new sellers they will be required to have a mobile phone number to verify in order to sell. 

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that is untrue.  I have had a VoIP number with SMS for a decade and I have been selling occasionally on my eBay account since the 1990s.  Although, I only sell a few items each year, I mostly buy items.  Anyways, suddenly my verified VoIP number is no longer valid according to the phone rep I spoke too.  I have to switch to a Mobile number with SMS to now sell.

[nycamo77]

Devon,

I provided my VoIP (Google Phone) while setting up seller account and was able to receive verification codes. I prefer not to include my main mobile number due to the following: SPAM/CRANK/CREEPY calls as well as an additional outlet for potential ID theft. It would be in the individual seller's best interest, not to mention SAFETY, if Ebay reconsiders this policy.

[nycamo77]

devon@ebay 

I provided my VoIP (Google Phone) while setting up seller account and was able to receive verification codes. I prefer not to include my main mobile number due to the following: SPAM/CRANK/CREEPY calls as well as an additional outlet for potential ID theft. It would be in the individual seller's best interest, not to mention SAFETY, if Ebay reconsiders this policy.

[ckimodog]

@nycamo77 

Good morning

This thread is over 4 months old.  My guess is that Devon isn't going to reply, as he has already replied in September.  What I would do would be to created a new post concerning your question and add Devon's @ address.  He's usually pretty good about responding.  Good luck.

[soundfx4]

You think you're making some sort of point?  

[soundfx4]

Devon, I want you to very carefully read these words because you don't seem to be paying attention to other's words.  THIS.IS.INSANITY.  VOIP is a 100% legit service used for businesses and personal lines everywhere for MANY reasons.  Many of those reasons are the features that come with them.  Basically what you're telling us is that despite having our legal business name, our legal business address, our social security number, our business EIN number, our personal address, our email and literally EVERY OTHER PIECE OF INFORMATION....you can't verify because the number isn't a land line number or cell number.  Say that out loud and then really concentrate on it....It's pure insanity.

[soundfx4]

yeah but that doesn't matter.  They ask for TONS of information that can confirm your identity.  Their entire means for ID verification shouldn't fall apart with just one piece of information missing like that.  It's just mind blowing 😕