Paypal Asking for EIN and SSN...

FrancisK · #1 01-27-2011

Hello everyone, it's been a while, been very busy lately business wise. I guess just more testament to Aspkins and other senior members advice!

I received a notice last night from paypal of the IRS requirements. I already had my EIN on file but I guess they are asking me to confirm it.

I logged into Paypal and it had a header asking me to confirm my info, I clicked on it and clicked I use an EIN. On the next screen it's asking for an EIN, authorized representative, AP date of birth, AP ssn and AP name and home address.

I've been using a DBA on my Paypal account, now I guess I have to input my real name and info, including my SSN? My real name and info is in good standing with paypal but not ebay. I'm not sure if I were to input this info that it would be immediately relayed to ebay and my account suspended or since my account now belongs to a business if my personal dealings are not related? I've been using this ebay/paypal account for 3 years and I am NOT willing to lose it and start all over. I've come a long way from selling borderline VERO and ebay violations in the past to becoming a legitimate business in very good standing.

Does anyone have any advice or experience about this? Should I call Paypal and kinda come clean, saying I was using a DBA for internet purposes and the business is separate from any of my past personal dealings?

Thanks in advance, nice to see everyone again!

jeffweico · #2 01-27-2011

Are all of those fields REQUIRED fields? This goes above and beyond what is contained in the IRS rules for verification with the IRS.

noteveragain · #3 01-27-2011

So far I clicked remind me later, hope that doesn't limit my account

jeffweico · #4 01-27-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by noteveragain

So far I clicked remind me later, hope that doesn't limit my account

I don't think clicking that will limit the account, but at some point you will have no choice but to provide the information if you want to keep using the account.

GreenBean · #5 01-27-2011

Hello,Francis!!!! Long time no speak.

Look at this thread and let us know if your request was similar. We are looking out for what is going on

http://www.aspkin.com/forums/paypal-...ng-ssn-us.html

FrancisK · #6 01-28-2011

Hey GB, yea it has been a while. I owe that to you, Aspkin and a couple other very very helpful people who shall remain nameless.

It's similiar to the one in that link, the difference is I have an LLC so they are asking for my EIN. Although they are also asking for the authorized representative information. Here are the fields they are asking for, none of them are marked as required so I would assume all are required:

First Name
Last Name
DOB
SSN
Home Address (NOT BUSINESS, THAT IS ALREADY FILLED IN)
Home Phone Number

I'm not exactly sure what to do here. I don't think I can put in my DBA info obviously. I'm considering calling Paypal and kinda coming clean, like I said I never had a problem with Paypal under my actual info and SSN but I did with ebay. I would hope they would recognize a corporation being seperate from an individual but with paypal/ebay you never know. I'm not some jackass operating out of my house anymore, I'm a legitimate business selling legitimate inventory. I'll go the lawyer route if I have to but I CANNOT lose my ebay and paypal that are connected to my entire business. I would basically have to start all over and I would just run into this problem again. I don't sell VERO, I don't violate any policies whatsoever, I haven't since I opened my LLC last year and a few years before that since my last suspention.

I knew this was coming eventually but I was hoping I would squeak by since my LLC EIN has been on file with them for over a year and I've had my accounts for around 3 years and been an upstanding member of both ebay and paypal. I thought maybe I would have to add an official DBA or something of that nature to my business to circumvent giving my real info which is connected to an ebay account suspended over 5 years ago but obviously that won't work now.

Tell me what you guys think? I hate the thought that I am the guinea pig but it's looking like that isn't it.....

GreenBean · #7 01-28-2011

No way do you offer paypal any info about your past ebay life as an individual.
paypal are after the here and the now and future tax requirements. Give them ammo about your past and there would be consequences, most unpleasant.

Will get back to you

FrancisK · #8 01-28-2011

Thanks GB, I'm a little nervous to say the least...

FrancisK · #9 01-28-2011

Thanks GB, I'm a little nervous to say the least.

I can't think of any way around this, the name on my paypal doesn't match the name on my LLC and it has to for the 1099 right. I'm certainly not going to volunteer information but hopefully paypal recognizes that the whole reason why people create corporations is to protect their business from their personal life.

Melissa1971 · #10 01-28-2011

Francis if it is ok to ask, what State are you in? because it does make a difference pertaining to your options, especially if you are in California

We have a law here regarding Paypal that passed addressing Paypals user agreement specifically. Also corporations are owned by more than one person, so you cannot offer them your SS anyhow, nor any information pertaining to it beyond the EIN.

Also I just went thru Paypals website and no where does it say anything about requesting SS numbers when becoming verified for you to accept monies. It only says that if you are not, a 500 limit is in place.

In fact, it states the limits are endless upon becoming verified. I pretty much cut and pasted alot of their website

noteveragain · #11 01-28-2011

Hey guys strange thing happened today, After clicking remind me later the pass two days.... Today it just said account access fully restored thank you for taking the time etc... But I didn't do anything.

slapped · #12 01-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by noteveragain

Hey guys strange thing happened today, After clicking remind me later the pass two days.... Today it just said account access fully restored thank you for taking the time etc... But I didn't do anything.

Really???,,,,Interesting,,,,

FrancisK · #13 01-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melissa1971

Francis if it is ok to ask, what State are you in? because it does make a difference pertaining to your options, especially if you are in California

We have a law here regarding Paypal that passed addressing Paypals user agreement specifically. Also corporations are owned by more than one person, so you cannot offer them your SS anyhow, nor any information pertaining to it beyond the EIN.

Also I just went thru Paypals website and no where does it say anything about requesting SS numbers when becoming verified for you to accept monies. It only says that if you are not, a 500 limit is in place.

In fact, it states the limits are endless upon becoming verified. I pretty much cut and pasted alot of their website

Hello Melissa, I'm in Michigan. I also didn't think they would be asking for SSN and personal info but they cetainly are.

FrancisK · #14 01-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by noteveragain

Hey guys strange thing happened today, After clicking remind me later the pass two days.... Today it just said account access fully restored thank you for taking the time etc... But I didn't do anything.

Did you already have you EIN on file? Also did the name you had on paypal match the one on your business? I don't even think paypal is giving me the option of "remind me later".

FrancisK · #15 01-28-2011

Alrighty....new developement!

The notice no longer appears in my paypal account and everything is back to normal. I can't believe this is the end of it as eventually they will discover the name on my account doesn't match the name on my business but the request to "confirm" my info has vanished....

cherrqell · #16 01-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrancisK

Alrighty....new developement!

The notice no longer appears in my paypal account and everything is back to normal. I can't believe this is the end of it as eventually they will discover the name on my account doesn't match the name on my business but the request to "confirm" my info has vanished....

I wouldn't get too excited. Probably just a glitch in this new requirement. I really hope this is the case with the "ask me later" option, but im inclined to believe that once the system catches up, we will be twisting in the wind as usual!

FrancisK · #17 01-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherrqell

I wouldn't get too excited. Probably just a glitch in this new requirement. I really hope this is the case with the "ask me later" option, but im inclined to believe that once the system catches up, we will be twisting in the wind as usual!

Yes, I dont think it's the end of the problem either. Although there was no "ask me later" option for me. What I'm thinking is perhaps they saw that my EIN was already on file but a flag will just pop up again when they see the name on the account doesn't match the name on the business.

GreenBean · #18 01-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melissa1971

Also I just went thru Paypals website and no where does it say anything about requesting SS numbers when becoming verified for you to accept monies. It only says that if you are not, a 500 limit is in place.

In fact, it states the limits are endless upon becoming verified. I pretty much cut and pasted alot of their website

You are being naive about the SSN not being stated. paypal has loosely worded their T&S to do whatever they want. They will do what they want/

Until such time as a class action suit gets a ruling on the matter, then we must accept that paypal are calling for a SSN.
Try to avoid telling users paypal have no rights, please.

Melissa1971 · #19 01-28-2011

Yes they will do what they want.

Just because they can do what they want

does not mean we should follow suit.

The agreement is the basis for the contract

Melissa1971 · #20 01-28-2011

Amazon and Ebay often refer to the contract as the basis for their procedures or decisions, or at least they have with me. I ask " where can I find this info?"

Often the wording can be interpreted two ways. Sometimes the Reps aren't sure then just give in to your requests if you are polite about it

Melissa1971 · #21 01-28-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

You are being naive about the SSN not being stated. paypal has loosely worded their T&S to do whatever they want. They will do what they want/

Until such time as a class action suit gets a ruling on the matter, then we must accept that paypal are calling for a SSN.
Try to avoid telling users paypal have no rights, please.

You've misunderstood. I never said any such thing

GreenBean · #22 01-29-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melissa1971

You've misunderstood. I never said any such thing

I have not misunderstood. You inferred that there was no mention of SSN. I countered with paypal have written their terms to cover using the SSN, viz:

2.3 Identity Authentication. You authorize PayPal, directly or through third parties, to make any inquiries we consider necessary to validate your identity. This may include asking you for further information, requiring you to provide a taxpayer identification number, requiring you to take steps to confirm ownership of your email address or financial instruments, ordering a credit report, or verifying your Information against third party databases or through other sources.

So if they decide on an SSN, it's implied they will.

I spend just as much time as you reading T&S which is why my posts have been worded as they were.