How does stealth protect you?

munkron · #1 09-30-2015

I was wondering but how do stealth accounts really protect you?

Your paypal is connected to your bank account. Even if the name on the paypal is ⊗⊗⊗⊗, it's still connected to your bank, am I wrong?

If you use a service like shipstation, that is also linked to you.

How exactly would it protect you? I'm curious, if the lawyers really want to go after you, wouldn't it be relatively simple? Or is it a matter of if it's worth going after you?

jeffweico · #2 09-30-2015

Stealth gets you back on eBay and it will hide your real; identity from eBay and PayPal, but it will NOT protect you from law enforcement.

slokor · #3 09-30-2015

If youre trying to pull any sort of illegal activity then yes you are NOT protected.
If youre the regular ebay seller who got banned by ebay for no good reason and are just trying to get back on there then stealth is exactly the right solution.

munkron · #4 09-30-2015

That's exactly what I figured, it's just the way that it's talked about like it protects you.

I imagine it doesn't even protect you from VeRO.

jeffweico · #5 09-30-2015

Well, here is the thing. Banks do not normally give your information out. They won't give it to eBay, to PayPal or even to a lawyer. But they WILL give it out to law enforcement, or if the information is subpoenaed by a court.

bjammin · #6 09-30-2015

The purpose of stealth is not to get away with illegal activities. It is to get back onto ebay as if you if were going to sell legit items and not foo-foos or Ver0. Creating a stealth account is not illegal. It is against ebay and paypal rules though. But they are nothing more than a company.

rsot · #7 10-01-2015

1. PP would really only see your name if you upload funds.

2. Court subpoena or police investigation can find out the info on the bank account and such

jeffweico · #8 10-01-2015

Stealth was not designed as a way to sell counterfeit merchandise without being caught. It was designed to get people kicked off of eBay or Amazon back on to eBay and Amazon. Counterfeits CAN bring in some quick money, but they are NOT a good way to build a long term business. Several years ago, nobody cared and many people were able to easily sell counterfeits for awhile. But they have been cracking down and it gets harder and harder and it has now reached the point that is just is not worth it.

swbluto · #9 10-01-2015

If you need to get away with illegal activity, I'd suggest stealing someone else's identity and start opening accounts in their name. I wouldn't suggest this tactic for everybody, but if you're a criminal already, what's the issue? I'm sure you've already got a couple russian/vietnamnese connections where you can buy personal info for pennies on the dollar.

(And if you don't, here's a hint: try carder forums.)

Btw, if you want to deter just lawyers (assuming you don't also have the cops after you for some criminal matter, just a civil matter like trademarks for example.), maintain "low visibility". Don't give off the impression you're running some $1,000,000 enterprise, that spells "BINGO" in the eyes of lawyers. Nothing dissuades lawyers more than a mom and pop making maybe $100/month at most.