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Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

Hi Guys,

Unfortunately, a few days ago my 3 main Stealth accounts were all closed within a few hours of each other, with no reason given.

It certainly seems like they have been linked, although I'm really confused how, as I played everything by the book; using new user accounts, 24vc IP, VPNCheckPro to counter VPN drops, firefox portable, removing flash cookies etc.

I never sold the same items on the accounts, never sent money across accounts, nor verified the bank account on any of the accounts, so the only thing I can think of that may have linked them is that they all have the same sort code (But different account number).

I used to withdraw from each account on a regular basis, and withdraw from each one on the same day, about 15 minutes apart. I (naively) presumed that this would not be enough to link the accounts, although I guess if this was repeated every week for a fair few weeks then it may be enough to link them?

Have any of you guys experienced any problems using the same sort code? Would you imagine that the problem was to do with the sort code, or would it just be due to the regular withdrawing from the accounts (Or a mixture of both)?

I have a few accounts left with that same sort code (But much lower volume, so I didn't withdraw at the same time as the others). Do you think that these accounts will be ok if I 'randomise' my withdrawals from now on, or would you imagine that my sort code is now a problematic issue, so it's just inevitable for those accounts to be closed too?

Thanks :)

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

Which bank was it? I use Halifax generally as the Sort Code relates to Head Office rather than the local branch.

Also if you had three VPN from 24vc, then the IP might have been very similar?

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

if the bank sort code is the same.....and account numbers are identical except for the last 2-3 digits (which happens when you open savings accounts within minutes of each other) then that may flaf=g up those accounts as being linked

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

That wasn't his question though.

Fact is OP that sort codes alone will not link accounts.

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

Having the same sort code is fine

Thousands of accounts use the same sort code. Its not an issue

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

So back to the issue in hand.. you say that the accounts were all closed with no reason? So what was in the message Ebay sent to close you down?

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

OP, you say you are using Firefox Portable. Did you disable the relevant setting in that before setting up the accounts?

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

Have seen quite a lot of users using firefox portable have this happen to them, where they get a bunch of accounts limited all at once out of no where. Portable FX can be a great & convenient option but if not used properly its easy to mess up and get all your accounts linked as ebayorbust alluded to

I would highly recommend using vmware instead from now on, much safer & a more robust overall option

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

The message PayPal sent said:

"We recently noticed an issue with your account.

For reasons relating to the safe use of the PayPal Service we need some
more information about some of your recent sales.

To see what you can and can't do while your account is limited, please go
to the Resolution Centre.

You'll be able to withdraw money from your account within 180 days. We'll
email you when it's available. We just want to make sure that you have
money in your account to cover any payment reversals.".

The way they worded it sounded like they just wanted some documents, but upon logging on to the accounts they all said they were closed and I should receive the funds in 180 days. After contacting their executive team I managed to get it changed so I can send in some documents to potentially get them unlimited, although I'm not very confident about my chances.

I disabled flash cookies and disabled images on gmail; I'm not aware of anything else I'm meant to do? I used different user accounts, so didn't bother disabled the cookies (I read that it makes the account look more legit to keep your cookies).

Not sure if I missed anything?

Thanks.

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure I look into it for future accounts.

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

That is just a standard template message, like many of ebays'. There will be nothing specific to your account in there.

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

Sort code isn't the problem.. it's something else that linked the accounts.

The IP address.. is IP address a similar range?

Example: 123.343.33.12; 123.343.33.11; 123.343.33.15 ?

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

I doubt it was sort codes, especially considering how well you took precautions i.e. not selling same/similar items across the multiple accounts.

My inclinations are as Aspkin said above, IP range, or perhaps the killswitch you have in place may have failed, leaking the IP.

I dont know how great that killswitch is, considering the website hasn't been updated since 2011, the software might be a little out of date?

Also are you using Windows 10 as your main OS?

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

The IPs are all quite different, so I wouldn't expect that it was that.

It's entirely possible that VPNCheck Pro failed, although I tested it about 5 times for peace of mind and it cut my network connection every time.

And yeah, I am using Windows 10.

Re: Can The Same Sort Codes Link Accounts?
 

hmm.. I spoke to a reputable VPN company recently who mentioned with Windows 10 constantly updating regularly, it affects the VPN configuration/connection.

Now how true that is, I actually dont know as I am no expert. But worth noting.