Major privacy and security issue with eBay

[sodium419]

Here's how eBay could be used right now for criminals to find homes with known expensive items and break in and steal those items.

Starting many years ago, eBay started showing the title of all items you sold on your feedback page.  The feedback is very useful for buyers, but showing the items sold is a huge privacy and security concern, which I'll explain how it can be used against you.

Let's say you're fairly well off and collect expensive jewelry.  You like to buy new jewelry and sell jewelry on eBay you no longer wear.  Sounds harmless.  But the problem is a criminal can use this information against you.

A criminal lists a bunch of items for sale on eBay at cost.  You (and many others) buy something from him.  He now has your address.  He then creates a list of addresses and uses your selling history to compile a list of homes and probable items that could be in each home.  You filter to the top of his list as you're only 60 miles away, it shows you've been selling expensive jewelry for years, and you happen to have an $15,000 piece being sold right now (so he knows it's in your possession).   He scopes out your home and breaks in, stealing not only the $15,000 piece that was for sale, but the rest of your collection.  This can be made far worse if there's a criminal network setup across the country doing this, as it maximizes the chances of finding someone local and easier to target.

I know you can hide ALL your feedback, which also includes hiding items sold.  But you really need to be showing feedback if you're selling something (it may even be required).  What I suggest is eBay add a new feature to hide all items sold but still show feedback.  I've had an eBay account for 24 years and have 100% positive feedback.  I never want to hide my feedback.  But hiding the items I've sold is a huge security and privacy concern of mine.  As shown above, this could easily be used to target eBay members.  And a network of criminals could really create a nationwide (or even worldwide) problem.

I currently turn off displaying feedback when I'm not selling something, then turn it back on just for when I have something for sale, then turn it back off.  That only minimizes my chances.  The only current way to totally prevent this is to turn off all feedback forever and only use eBay for buying.  Probably not what eBay wants.

So, eBay, please add a feature to hide items sold.  I see it as a major security and privacy issue.

[1tuna]

theft of valuable merchandise is a problem ebayers shoud be aware of.

whether its left in the home or a buisness its shoud be locked up securely

I like ISM safes.they are the best you can get suposedly

I do not worry about my house burning down or getting burgled if I am not home

most of the dealers who get robbed are robbed on the highway.......parking garages or coming and going between shows and airports and hotels.

[sodium419]

Still, if there's a security issue that can easily be fixed, it should be.

[forward-motion]

Just choot em"

[nobody*s_perfect]

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@sodium419 wrote:

The solution is for eBay to add a feature to hide items sold and still show feedback.

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That solution has been available for many years: that's how Private listings work.  Here's an example of the feedback of a seller who uses it in her listings:

 https://www.ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_profile/pumpernickledollclothing4u?lb=1

[sodium419]

First off, eBay doesn't say anything about Private Listings being hidden on the seller's page.  All of the documentation says it hides the bidders and buyers.  Also, setting a listing as private has negative connotations.  And, you can't go back and hide items you've sold many years ago.  Further, while you can hide all items you've sold, you also hide all feedback.  Why not allow showing all feedback, but hiding all items sold for privacy and security reasons?

I'm not suggesting that eBay hides it for everyone, it's just a switch giving some users that control if they want to use it.  Those that want to show what they've sold can leave it as-is.

[sextons-sweet-deals]

The O.P. does bring up a good conversation for eBay security to discuss. Seems everyone wants to jump on the O.P.!

I don't have all the answers and never will, but everyone needs to think security / protection during a transaction. 

I had two recent issues with potential buyers.

1. had a ND hat lot listed. Potential buyer was only interested in one of the hats. Said they lived close for pick-up. Then added, do you have any other ND stuff? Duh! Hello!

2. Potential buyer interested in some hubcaps. Lived about an hour+ away. Told them if they win the auction, they can pick up. Potential buyer did not bid, but after listing they contacted me and said they were still interested at a whole $5 less than listing and can come pickup.

I will not deal outside of eBay and especially invite people to come to my place with no traceability through eBay. My inventory is located in a climate controlled storage unit.

Advise to those who have expensive items for pick up, do it at your local police station! Don't even tell the buyer what your driving. I think just about all police stations offer this service. Contact your local police to get full details. 

[sodium419]

Outside of eBay, I sold an expensive item locally.  I arranged the transaction at my bank, where I then made the deposit in my account.  As the item was small, I handed him the item to inspect, he handed me the cash, and it got deposited right on the spot.  If they don't show, you know what they were planning.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@maxine* 

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@maxine*j wrote:

And they might hesitate to post long, step-by-step, helpful guides to thievery for those who might not have come up with the ideas themselves.

I agree, OP you just gave 1,000 bad people ideas. I have a police officer right next door and one in the back of me, a dog a gun and two fists.

( hey that could be a movie!)

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[creativecrisis]

OP, if you sincerely want to make suggestions to eBay, come to a weekly chat, held every Wednesday at 1 pm PDT. There you can express your concerns to some eBay employees, who will promise to share your feedback with the "appropriate team." There's no one from eBay reading this discussion board, just other sellers who already have their own opinions about security and privacy on the site.

[gracieallen01]

Frankly, one is just as likely, if not more so, to have a break-in by the casual 'local' casing the street or neighborhood, as they are from someone using ebay to compile a spreadsheet and then traveling 60 to 600 miles to target their house(s).  That's why some people, like me for example, have little signs beside the door that say, "This door is locked for YOUR protection", right next to the alarm company sign.  And, not having children or grandchildren or many visitors at my home (being somewhat of a recluse), I have no reason not to have 4 loaded weapons readily available, just in case.

[new_haven_toys]

mary, go on line and do a simple search on how to steal on ebay. There are so many links to this that it will make your head spin. Believe me , this poster did not just give away the jewels! The crooks already know how it's done. Just read the posts on the forums and you'll find new angle on scamming the sellers are popping up all the time. It had become well known and sadly, it is being done every day.

[pikabo-icu]

The really ironic thing is:

Thieves don't have to come to your house to steal your stuff on eBay..

There are means & methods to do it from the comfort of their own lair..

/just sayin'

We have enough to worry about.. I'm 5'6" and 125LBs with 10 pounds of it being knee length hair, I dare anyone, any size to bleep around and find out.. 

I actually own a shirt that says: Yeah underestimate me that'll be fun. 

One MUST take control of their own destiny and NOT live their life in a manner dictated by bad guys..

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

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@gracieallen01 wrote:

I have no reason not to have 4 loaded weapons readily available, just in case.

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Dang Gracies packin big time. Did they teach that in clinicals where you went to college? They did me.

[greatstuff80]

First, I have a PO Box for online sales.  

Second, I set listings to private.  

Third, I have an excellent camera/alarm system.

Try to find a neighborhood in today's world where there is not at least one, if not several homes with cameras and alarms. Crooks like easy targets. Protect yourself. 

It is difficulty in today's world to go most anywhere that there is not a camera. They may take the risk and they will get caught at my home.

[forward-motion]

Only 4?