In what cases does ebay need to ask for past addresses?

[grislybear]

Had one of my stealth accounts indefinitely banned today because when I called in to verify a MC999 they said that they weren't able to verify my information. Very vague answers from the rep who was nasty. She asked for me to provide an old address but I said that the one on file was my only one. She then said there was nothing she could do to lift the limit unless I provided that information. I thought that was a very weird request seeing as no other account has had to jump through that hoop. I sold 1 used book with no problem, then listed a used Virgin Mobile dongle and got the MC999 an hour later.

I realize the electronic listing was high risk, but is that what prompts the need to ask for past address? The one I used on the account was the physical address of a PO BOX.

I also realize I should have been more prepared with an address on hand to tell them in case of this question, it just caught me off guard.

This is the email I received after the phone call:

"Your eBay account has been suspended because recent account activity has raised security concerns. We've taken this precaution to protect our members while we make sure that the activity doesn't cause harm--even unintentionally--to the eBay community.

Unfortunately, you won't be able to use eBay in any way. This includes using another existing account or registering a new account.

Any outstanding fees will be due immediately, and any amounts that you haven't previously disputed will be charged to the billing method currently on file."

[slapped]

There is no Concrete anwser to you question,,the questions that Ebay asks you in order to verify an account are based on information that Ebay gets from Public records based on the information that you used in order to create the account in the first place, sometimes they ask about a Home Mortague, sometimes a car loan, Past addressed, relatives,ect, ect,,,it is ALL part of the Game

[grislybear]

So what happened today to me, in the larger scope of things, is just a casualty and byproduct of the game we have to play? Basically hit or miss right? Some accounts will be created using information that doesn't draw a red flag to ebay and will be able to remain stealth and not be questioned, while others just so happen to contain personal info/address that ebay wants to know more about?

For the more experienced stealthers here: out of 10 accounts how many are you able to keep long term without ever having to jump through hoops like this? I'm not talking about the standard "what are you selling and how are you going to ship it" MC999, but the more complicated, deeper questions like past addresses, loans or mortgages, etc.

[slapped]

Irreguardsless to what others say, SOME MC999 (ID Requests) are indeed triggered by what you sell,,,MOST are RANDOM,, so you really need to give some thought to this issue and deal with it as best you can so that the account is somewhat prepared to deal with this issue BEFORE you actually create it

[grislybear]

Thanks for the insight. So let's say I were to sell very low risk, used clothing for the first 2 months. Then if I were to list a dongle, does that noticeably lower my chances of a MC999?

[Artann]

I really have a sickening feeling that eB bots run some kind of identity check on most of the accounts whenever you list somethings. MC999 is probably triggered right away when there is no match of the info or mismatch and this is the 99% of the stealth accounts.
Anyway a friend of mine had to open one a few months ago and had to verify the models of all 3 cars that he owns. It was none stealth so he passed.

[rsot]

Havent run into that car question in the few MC999 I solved recently...wow hmm trying to decipher some pattern but difficult to pinpoint

[GreenBean]

What color is the hamster wheel!!!!

It is red.

Yay!!!

Account restored

[jeffweico]

I believe that eBay is pulling their data from public record databases - in most cases - and not from the credit bureaus. Mortgage records are usually publicly available and in many states car ownership records are too. Ditto for airplane and boat ownership.

The SAFEST answers for a stealth account is that you do NOT own a car and that you do NOT have a mortgage. Since your stealth identity does not exist, how could it have a car or a mortgage? If asked for a past address, eBay could check public records to see if there is a record of that name at the previous address, but that would also be dicey. If I were asked, I would just have the address of a large building available to give them, preferably located near a large university.

Many people are easily able to pass these questions because it is impossible to verify either way. eBay knows this, so they give a lot of leeway. I always suggest using common names for stealth accounts, especially the last name. In a large building with hundreds of units, it is very likely that someone with a common last name like Johnson, Jones or Smith DID live there at one time. I also like my stealth identities to be younger, because they would not be expected to have a ton of information out there in public record databases like a 45 year old would.

All we can really do in these situations is to answer the questions in the smartest possible way and hope that eBay accepts them.

[jeffweico]

Oh, yes, to answer your other question it is ALWAYS better to stick with low-risk items until you build trust on a new account. I always start with cheaper items and the lower the risk the better. In my business, I pick up a lot of cheap books that I don't want in order to get the more expensive ones that are my bread and butter, I use the cheapie books as fodder for new accounts. eBay/PayPal/Amazon are not likely to question a 99 cent book listing with a $3 shipping fee. My goal during the first couple of months is NOT profit, it is building trust.

Once I have some good feedbacks and account history, then I start listing the more profitable items.

[GreenBean]

@jeffweico

Your advice can not be stressed enough.

Hope it is heeded

[john456]

ebay is able to verify a lot of the information that you enter for your accounts. If something seems odd, bots trigger a MC999 to verify who you are with a ebay rep.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by john456

ebay is able to verify a lot of the information that you enter for your accounts. If something seems odd, bots trigger a MC999 to verify who you are with a ebay rep.

Besides address and some public info, eBay is unlikely to have a LOT of info...past cars? past mortgage? Just made up to catch ppl unaware....it has a lot to do with luck of the draw.

[Sandy D]

Originally Posted by rsot

Havent run into that car question in the few MC999 I solved recently...wow hmm trying to decipher some pattern but difficult to pinpoint

You seem to post that you get a lot of MC999s.

You need to follow the advice that Jeff and myself have been posting about for a long time and list low end, low risk, yard sale, household type items on a new account to avoid getting so many mc999s.

Also, it has been posted before that one of the questions a few have been asked is the make/model of your car. You need to be aware that DMV records can be researched as well in the USA.

Remember my saying. Baby steps on a baby stealth builds a strong long lasting super stealth account.

[newjerseymax]

I have been asked car question before. I go with most recent model as people are more likely to buy a newer model vs older model. They do give you the year within the question itself...

[rsot]

True on the low end, low risk, yard sale, household type items to sell.

Didn't run into the car question so was just wondering what might trigger that part of the process...was only asked 1) do you have the items in stock? 2) how will you ship? 3) anyone else on the account?

[GreenBean]

rsot,
Then why or what made you say it was just made up?

Others have most certainly been reporting this over the past years.

Have they been making up a story?

confused.com

[rsot]

I did have few mc999's but did not run into the car question is all.

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by rsot

Besides address and some public info, eBay is unlikely to have a LOT of info...past cars? past mortgage? Just made up to catch ppl unaware....it has a lot to do with luck of the draw.

I see.

Hamster's mate typed this.

Fine then.

As you were.