Unknown account linked to mine--causing selling restrictions

[montessori-momandpop]

I only rarely sell on ebay.  This month, I listed two computer items worth a bit more money.  Both had to be cancelled due to payment issues (hard to believe, but true).  I relisted one of the items, but ebay did not allow me to list the second item because it says it would take me over the selling limit.  I have received $0 so far.  So I contacted the help chat to see if I could increase the limit.  

They told me that I had limits due to an account linked to mine in 2019 that I never set up (a person's name that I've never heard of).  Apparently this other link had lots of unresolved seller problems .   I told chat that I had no idea what this account was and it must be fraud.  I wanted this other account unlinked. 

They said the only way they can do this is if the other account responds and resolves their selling issues.  The other person has to agree to unlink.  What?!  It seems the person committing fraud here is getting the benefit of the doubt.  

I have 200 positive reviews and no negative reviews on my personal account and I feel that I'm being punished for good behavior...

I feel as if I wasn't listened to.  They kept telling me if I clear up the problems with this linked account everything would be fine.  I can't do that because I have no access to the account.  

Is there anything I can do besides giving up on ebay altogether?

Was any of my personal information available to the fraudulent linked account?

Does anyone have advice?  

[0reades]

My husband's suggestion is to close your current account. Then open a new bank account in your wife's name (if you are married), son, mother etc., then open another ebay account. He said it's a hassle but that's the only way you might be able to distance yourself from that other fraudulent account. Best of luck.

[pikabo-icu]

Has there every been anyone living or staying in your home that had an eBay account?

If on their phone or a computer if they were using your Internet, it would be associated with your IP address. 

From what I understand when eBay bans an account or limits one, it applies to the IP address to help prevent a person doing an end run around the sanction by opening another account.

I'm not suggested you did that but suggesting if it's possible somebody else could have had an eBay acct associated with your IP address. 

[lacemaker3]

---

@0reades wrote:

My husband's suggestion is to close your current account. Then open a new bank account in your wife's name (if you are married), son, mother etc., then open another ebay account. He said it's a hassle but that's the only way you might be able to distance yourself from that other fraudulent account. Best of luck.

---

This not good advice. This is how other people's accounts get linked to bad sellers. You would only be linking all of those other people to the bad account, and this may be how your account got linked ... it could have been done by a friend, a relative, someone who knows you, or knows someone you know or someone in your family.

[gracieallen01]

Did you ever use a public login? 

If you use a different bank account, computer, e-mail, and such, be aware that if you are using the same IP address, it is likely to get linked again. 

You might be better off trying to get a rep from Trust & Safety on the line to talk to or trying the 'ebay for business' on facebook.

[katzrul15]

---

@0reades wrote:

My husband's suggestion is to close your current account. Then open a new bank account in your wife's name (if you are married), son, mother etc., then open another ebay account. He said it's a hassle but that's the only way you might be able to distance yourself from that other fraudulent account. Best of luck.

---

This is really bad advice - never mind that e-bay will catch it from the IP address usually, regardless of what info you use to create a new account - especially, if you intend to sell.  These types of short-cuts just breed more problems and no offense, but posting this on a public forum is none too bright.  If the OP opens an account in someone else's name and sells, whose tax liability have they just created for someone else?  (welcome to my BBL)

OP - I would suggest you reach out to e-bay on Facebook - send them a message and see if anyone can assist you.  These type of T&S issues usually do not end well.  It could be an error, but usually, e-Bay gets this piece of the puzzle correct.  Work to correct this the right way.  If it truly is an error, someone will hopefully work to assist you in resolving.  good luck!

(4) eBay | Facebook

[femmefan1946]

https://twitter.com/askebay
https://www.facebook.com/eBay/

[montessori-momandpop]

No one would have had access to our home computers.  I guess I could have checked on a listing at a hotel computer at some point (ebay says it's been linked since 2019), but not that I specifically remember.  

I'll try reaching out to ebay on facebook.  

How do I get a rep from Trust and Safety on the line?  How do I find the number?

Thanks, all!

[katzrul15]

Have us call you | eBay

Click on this link (you can also go to the bottom of any page) and insert your phone number once logged into the account that is affected and have them call you.  Good luck - really hope you can sort this out.

[mtgraves7984]

No one would have had access to our home computers.  I guess I could have checked on a listing at a hotel computer at some point (ebay says it's been linked since 2019), but not that I specifically remember.

@montessori-momandpop 

I'm scared to death every year, but use my computer (for eBay, etc.) in the vacation condo. Good luck to you. To us.

[kds99]

That's how it happens. I don't know that it can be fixed.

[postingid7659]

Unfortunately you have to do the detective work yourself.  Do you know the handle of the account?  

This happened to me a very long time ago and to this day I have no idea what made them decide my account was linked to this other account.  It was in some eastern European country and the seller sold handbags, which I have never sold.  It took multiple calls before getting a US agent and some common sense applied and the selling limit was lifted.   Eventually I was given the excuse that it had to do with some bank information, which also makes no sense as my bank doesn't operate in this nation.  

I would get them to call me and I would demand from them the account handle, the state it's registered in, the type of items it sold, and demand they explain exactly how they have concluded this account is linked.  If the first phone jockey can't help ask them to escalate up the chain.  Calling before Noon PST may help you get to a US based agent and not the canned garbage.  Be prepared for the overseas people to lie to you - but because they are so inept that may help as they may tell you the details not knowing they shouldn't.