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Random address in my area
 

I have a question regarding using a unlinked address.
What if I used a random address in my area

Will this constitue as mail fraud.

re: Random address in my area
 

Do much research

re: Random address in my area
 

You can use a random address, but it must be a real address. If you use an address that does not exist, eBay/PayPal will know. They have a list of every deliverable address in the USA, which they use to verify that an address is valid. They cannot use the list to verify that a specific person lives there, but they know if the address is phake.

re: Random address in my area
 

If you use it as an address to register a stealth eBay. I wouldn't think so. I would still prefer to use an invalid address on a real street etc, than try to steal a good one.

However, if you do it right and never have anything mailed there you should be ok. I would always advise using a invalid or "twiner" as I like to call them. Than ever using somebody's else real address.

If you go stealth in most cases at-least in the U.S. you are pushing the limits of what is legal and what really isn't. Any way you slice it. For me with stealth. It is all about never getting friends, family, or other real people involved. If that means on A Street there is House 598 and 600 and my stealth account is house 599. I will make it work. I will do all other necessary things when selling and shipping etc, to make sure it works out.

Anytime you get into things like this you are walking on a tight rope.

re: Random address in my area
 

And avoid having stuff sent or returned to this other real address that you have no access to...

re: Random address in my area
 

Yes, always suggest having a company name at a Mail Box or P.O. Box all things considered. You use as the return address for multiple stealth accounts. Personally black out the return address on all my stealth labels and tape over my company name & return address.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Yes, using a ⊗⊗⊗⊗ name and address is mail fraud, but if you aren't performing any actual fraud, you will go unmolested. Mail fraud is one of those things the government will get you for as a topping on their prosecution sundae, or as a last-resort if they can't get you for anything else.

They cannot use the list to verify that a specific person lives there, but they know if the address is phake.


Jeff, USPS now has a digital database of addresses and who officially lives there. eBay and PP will most definitely have access to this, if they decide to take a closer look.

Re: Random address in my area
 

@ovidu

That's an assumption. You should not answer for the behavior of others.

What if this is a toerag seller who turns and burns accounts? You implied it's OK to implement this method.

Bad bad bad

:mad:

Re: Random address in my area
 

@Greenbean:

my apologies; that is definitely not what I implied.

What I mean is that as long as no illegal or unethical activities are taking place, it's OK to use a ⊗⊗⊗⊗ name on a REAL address. Not technically legal, but no one will get fried for it. I don't endorse the use of made up addresses, or using turn & burn accounts to perform illegal or unethical activities, to be clear.

Re: Random address in my area
 

I would have to disagree. I would much rather use a real street and a non existent address than use somebody's address who I have no access to. Simply select your accounts to make sure you don't receive any mail promos from eBay and never use the registration address as a return address. Get a P.O. Box with a Biz name and tape over it.

There are people on here who have hundreds of stealth accounts. Unfortunately due to the 1099k laws implemented in the States here a few years back. Many of us have had to change our stealth practices.

You are making quite the assumption about using accounts for illegitimate purposes.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Apartments and complexes have so many fictitious numbers open :d

Re: Random address in my area
 

Yes, and high turnover rate of residents. I probably shouldn't give away my secrets. But I love to register stealth accounts in college towns.

Re: Random address in my area
 

With the occasional party over there as a...scouting trip? :FF:

Re: Random address in my area
 

20 year old trying to sell a few things to make a few bucks. Kinda fits into that "stealth identity" I would say you want to have. Unless you are selling antiques or items like Sandy. But for me it has been golden.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Here we go again.

Last year after this got bandied around, the users who tried the variation got MC999.

Why bother with what is now out of fashion.


The adding of a phake number flops.

:nono:

Re: Random address in my area
 

Now eBay probably automatically checks the address for validity and demands ID when you try to sell something on an account with a made up address.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Making lots of assumptions there. Do you work for eBay? How many years have you been running stealth accounts? How many have you created?

Re: Random address in my area
 

I think it's wise to assume the worst when dealing with eBay, don't you? Been running stealth for over 8 years. They use databases to confirm stuff now, it makes sense they would actually USE those databases to do a quick and easy address check. That certainly explains all the failed brand new stealth accounts.

Re: Random address in my area
 

What ovidiu saying is absolutely true. Even if eBay doesn't check you right after you register, they will check when something raises concern on your account.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Thread closed - get back to work!

Re: Random address in my area
 

As an FYI, the USPS does NOT verify any type of personal information. They will only verify if an address exists or not. However, once the address is verified and standardized, eBay can use public record data to see if they can match on a name. This is not perfect, because such records are not 100% accurate. If someone moves into a new house or apartment, and does not apply for credit, their name may not show up in the public record databases for months or even years.

If you want to see what types of things are available from the USPS, one of their vendors, Melissa Data has a product called Mailers+4 (and a few others) that contain the national database:

Mailing Software | Data Management Software | Address Verification

Re: Random address in my area
 

jeff,

what I see there is that every frigging piece of information is available on an address. Even software to parse gender information.

And yes, the USPS does have this information in databases same as any other government agency and many private companies. When I moved about 2 years back (I rent a room in a house), the post office gave the carrier a list of names that were supposed to reside there, and he taped it inside the mailbox. Just because they don't match it up here and there doesn't mean that most people aren't in it. That's the reason eBay gives you the option to call them to verify ID, in case there is a database mix-up.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Most people don't understand how to make stealth accounts. They are impatient and don't follow the system that has been outlined on here over and over again. Most notably by Sandy.

You can keep doing what you are doing. I will keep doing what has worked for me since 2008.

Re: Random address in my area
 

No argument man. If it works stick to it. We all have different levels of tolerance for stress and such. All I am saying is that made up (that is, addresses that don't actually exist) are a ticket to trouble.

Re: Random address in my area
 

By default that MUST include a random address.

No one has the right to use an address that does not belong to them

Someone may have access to the mail box of that address.

Different names on mail turning up are simply asking for issues.

:mad:

Re: Random address in my area
 

Greenbean,

I agree for myself.

I would never use an address I don't legitimately have access to. Apart from the name on my accounts, everything else is totally legit and I run the accounts as such. As for others, well someday there might be consequences when they step in the wrong beartrap.

Re: Random address in my area
 

All I know is, the GreenBean is wise, and her advice I recommend everyone follow.

Re: Random address in my area
 

He's not being negative towards anyone. Everyone has their own stealth plans derived from the standard procedures, and this is his plans. Whether to follow it or not is your decision.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Dude, chill out. I said I *disagree* with your method; I didn't say you CAN'T do it. I, personally, am less of a risk taker in this area because I hate making a stealth account and having it fail for whatever reason. I don't have the stomach for it and admire you, and others, for having that stomach. I have no control over what you do or don't do. Last time I looked, this was a forum where people can have different opinions about things without coming to blows.

Handshake?

Re: Random address in my area
 

USPS might have this system, as you say, but do you really thing they would give that info out to non-gov agencies?

Re: Random address in my area
 

The USPS DOES sell info to private companies. Combined with all the other databases like the ones Intelius/etc combs, eBay and PP can find out in about 2 seconds who is really there.

My opinion is that they don't care too much if a couple stealthers get past their system.

Re: Random address in my area
 

This was actually confirmed by a user a few years back, when one of the Paypal supervisors revealed to him that they know his Paypal info doesn't match to his address because they checked into USPS's database. In another word, Paypal and USPS does have an information sharing contract of some sort.

Re: Random address in my area
 

Please read the T & C of paypal.

They imply what they do to check accounts.


Using databases from other companies are therefore included in their actions.

=}

Re: Random address in my area
 

This was actually confirmed by a user a few years back, when one of the Paypal supervisors revealed to him that they know his Paypal info doesn't match to his address because they checked into USPS's database.

Just one more reason to avoid talking to a PP/eBay thug if you can help it!!

Re: Random address in my area
 

Once again, who cares? As long as you have an active account. Simply get a P.O Box or Mail Box with a biz name. Blackout and tape over any stealth name and address. Also make sure you log into eBay and tell them not to mail you anything. If you do that you will be fine. USPS for the most part does not care. It more important that you don't steal someone's real address that you don't have access to than have an invalid one. That can always be explained by some kind of human error.

ovidiu.... Your problem is you think eBay is the Federal Gov't. They are a for profit company that want's money as long as you play by the rules and make their customers happy. Remember that. If you phake your address but get lots of good feedback. No complaints, nothing suspicious. They don't care. That is an asset to them. John Donahue wants your money.

What most Stealthers on here. Especially newer ones don't understand. You have to go through the initial relationship to get to the end. I don't mean to offend anyone especially the females on this site, I have to say it hasn't been my experience.

But they say you have to get to the third date. With stealth it is the exact same thing. You have to go through the period of being a new member, you have to go through the period of buying some junk and getting history, then you have to go through the period of getting a selling account and listing household under the radar items. Once you do that you get to the point you can unlock the true potential of the Stealth Account.