Locked out of eBay account while traveling in another State. Please improve this system!

[computerperson777]

I tried to log in to my eBay account as usual while traveling to a different State, and I got a message saying that I had to call eBay support, so I did. They wanted to send a phone confirmation code but I couldn't access that away from home. So the support person did the thing where I have to tell them about what vehicles I own. I guess they get that information from the State or insurance. Well one vehicle color is not a regular color so I got that wrong and there was no going back. So I was permanently locked out until I got home, at which time everything worked fine and there was no phone confirmation needed, nor was there any notice that someone somewhere else had tried to log in to my account using my correct password. Vehicles are a bad identity verification method because someone could just find vehicle information by looking at Street View, and some of the online insurance quote websites.

All eBay needs to do is mail a list of one time use passwords. I could take the list with me and use it to verify my identity if needed. It is a very reliable and sure method. I'll even pay for the postage if they want me to.

I could have also been given limited access to eBay until my account was verified. Such as being able to read eBay messages, buy items and have them shipped to my regular address, remove listings, and participate in the eBay community. But I couldn't do any of that.

[mam98031]

It is a security measure.  One we should all support.  I do find it interesting they ask about your car.  As far as I know Ebay has no idea what kind of car I drive.  At least it isn't information I've given them.

[Anonymous]

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@mam98031 wrote:

  I do find it interesting they ask about your car.  As far as I know Ebay has no idea what kind of car I drive.  At least it isn't information I've given them.

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@mam98031 

Most likely one of the security questions that was previously setup

[krazzykats]

Shut off your GPS location.  It could be detecting your location and eBay matches that info. 

[wrong66]

Don't be too sure.

[domin-tomas]

They get it through Motor Vehicles. They did that to me many years ago when you could talk to real C.S. people. They asked about cars from my teen years in which I asked where did you get this and he said Motor Vehicles. It took me several tries because I owned many vehicles and I got one of them right. It never happened again. I thought they did away with it.

[brightlightbookseller]

eBay has no access to your GPS location.  It's generally locating you based on your IP address.

[readabouthorses]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@mam98031 wrote:

  I do find it interesting they ask about your car.  As far as I know Ebay has no idea what kind of car I drive.  At least it isn't information I've given them.

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@mam98031 

Most likely one of the security questions that was previously setup

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I think one of the security questions was what was your first car. I remember filled out that question a long time ago but I didn't think they were still using that information.

[dbfolks166mt]

Don't be too sure.

     You can take that to the bank. EBay has your name, address, SSN and phone number. There are enough data mining software programs out there that will provide more information than what you can even imagine. They could probably even diagram out your family tree. 

[simply-the-best-for-you]

Is this common?  I've traveled & never been locked out.  I used to travel extensively (as in every week) & never had an issue.  Not on my own laptop, nor on hotel, library PC or PC of people I'm visiting.   

[carolynnq]

eBay does have access to that information somehow. Years ago I listed an rv for a friend. Before I could list it, I had to answer all kinds of questions about previous addresses and related people. They were questions like which of the following addresses did you live at, which of the following people do you know... The addresses were going back 30 years.

You can get information like that about somebody just by paying $30-$50 or so. (I'm not sure what the price is now).

[luckythewinner]

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@mam98031 wrote:

It is a security measure.  One we should all support.  I do find it interesting they ask about your car.  As far as I know Ebay has no idea what kind of car I drive.  At least it isn't information I've given them.

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"You authorize us and our Affiliates to check information you provide to us, including by verifying the existence of your bank account and obtaining reports from, or comparing your information to, third-party sources. Such third-party sources may include without limitation, banks, credit agencies, data brokers, and other service providers."

[stephenmorgan]

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@carolynnq wrote:

eBay does have access to that information somehow. Years ago I listed an rv for a friend. Before I could list it, I had to answer all kinds of questions about previous addresses and related people. They were questions like which of the following addresses did you live at, which of the following people do you know... The addresses were going back 30 years.

You can get information like that about somebody just by paying $30-$50 or so. (I'm not sure what the price is now).

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This is exactly the kind of information a Credit Check will pull up.

[gamersbaystore]

This is why you tie a cell phone to your online accounts, not a home phone. You can easily receive a text with the confirmation to your cell.

What more than likely set off your account being locked was the use of an alternate IP address and the change in location. Many platforms lock accounts and demand confirmation codes like this, its not just ebay.

Even gaming platform Steam will initially block their users from logging in from any other city/IP address without some sort of email or phone confirmation first.

[mam98031]

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@domin-tomas wrote:

They get it through Motor Vehicles. They did that to me many years ago when you could talk to real C.S. people. They asked about cars from my teen years in which I asked where did you get this and he said Motor Vehicles. It took me several tries because I owned many vehicles and I got one of them right. It never happened again. I thought they did away with it.

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I have never had Ebay ask me any questions about my car or anything remotely close to that.  I'm just stating my experience.