Trying to create my first stealth account. Paypal asking for SSN on account creation

[finch]

Hi guys, I'm trying to create my first stealth account. Used a VPS in not-cheap and not overpopulated provider, got a random name with a random address from the city where the IP comes out, virtual phone number in the same city, freshly created gmail account.

As soon I created a paypal business account, it asked me for a SSN. Screen looks like this: screenshot

Anyone had any issues like this?

Thanks in advance.

[GoteBay]

I have never that screen. I thought it was optional.

[Omgoozle]

It is optional, there's small text at the bottom that says, "Skip this step, remind me later..."

[Ted123]

It looks like you have opened a business account which will ask for a SSN.

[finch]

Originally Posted by Ted123

It looks like you have opened a business account which will ask for a SSN.

So business accounts always asks for SSN? There is no way around it?

To everyone who said this is optional, I don't have a link to skip it. As soon I login I get roadblocked to that page. Another screenshot here

[GreenBean]

Not feasible to do 'random names' nor 'random addresses'.

You need to appear 'real' even if stealth.

Could you run thro' your steps, please.

[finch]

GreenBean, I used a variation of my name and real address. It was not entirely random. I chose the address of a bakery in the city where my IP comes from. The only problem is that this fictional person doesn't live there.

Here are my steps:

• Got a VPS in a low profile but not cheap provider
• Found out where the IP was coming out
• Found a bakery address in that city
• Come up with a name (variation of mine)
• Got a virtual phone number for that city, pointing to my google voice number
• Created an fresh gmail account (with the name I chose)
• Created business account in paypal thru the VPS VNC session

After confirming my email, I got the SSN is required screen, with no skip link.

Thanks for your patience.

[GreenBean]

Is the IP you are using now the same one for ebay/paypal?

[finch]

I haven't even touched ebay yet. All my interactions with paypal were done using the VPS IP, not my computer's IP. I never accessed the paypal account from any other IP address besides it.

[GreenBean]

Is this the same IP then?

[finch]

It's not. I'm accessing the forum from my laptop. And I'm not in the US at the moment.

[rsot]

New user account and make personal account rather than business - one option to consider.

Is your phone number a free service or cheap one? Keep in mind that the number could be recycled (just saying)

[finch]

Thanks for replying, rsot.

Yes, looks like if I create a personal account I would not be required to enter a SSN. But even so, it's strange they roadblocked me - I searched a lot and found no case like that in the forum. Yes some users got their accounts limited and received an email asking for the account owner's SSN, but that's not what happened to me. Still trying to find the issue.

Phone number is from a premium, paid service.

[newjerseymax]

Business account surely need something for tax purposes if going to business account from start. Any legit business with decent volume would have EIN in place

[novemberrain1970]

Same thing happened to me on my recently opened legit business account which I gave EIN on upfront. It must be a new thing. Can't seem to get around it so now it seems I have burned an expensive legit LLC because the name I gave was not the actual LLC owner and not sure how to get past that.

[mitanc]

Originally Posted by novemberrain1970

Same thing happened to me on my recently opened legit business account which I gave EIN on upfront. It must be a new thing. Can't seem to get around it so now it seems I have burned an expensive legit LLC because the name I gave was not the actual LLC owner and not sure how to get past that.

I am thinking about going the same route, any resolution?

[rsot]

Originally Posted by novemberrain1970

...I have burned an expensive legit LLC because the name I gave was not the actual LLC owner and not sure how to get past that.

Explain this a bit more please.

[Doer]

Originally Posted by newjerseymax

Business account surely need something for tax purposes if going to business account from start. Any legit business with decent volume would have EIN in place

Will they just ask for EIN and not SS?

[Doer]

Originally Posted by mitanc

I am thinking about going the same route, any resolution?

I'd like to know too if you don't mind.

[novemberrain1970]

Originally Posted by Doer

I'd like to know too if you don't mind.

No, not yet. I do have a friend willing to give their info - and PayPal gives the option of contacting them if you have given a fictitious name - not sure what the outcome will be but since the EIN is legit to an LLC we own, based on what I have read here and in the Stealth Book I don't think it matters whose "name" is on it as long as a person is on it who is real and checks out. I do think that PayPal is doing this to weed "us" out and not to comply with the government as they claim but what do I know?

[Mitsu]

Wow that's really annoying if they're requiring SSN's for business accounts now...

My 3 EIN business accounts are still safe, but ouchies that's going to hurt BAD if they make this global for all business accounts at one point.

I wounder how personal stealth accounts with established history would fair when switching to business account...

[turkeyhunt]

I don't know about this. I have switched over several personal accounts to business accounts with no issues. They haven't asked for ssn or any other identifying information besides the norm ( like company name,address, monetary sales, etc). They do have history on them as well though