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Linked Accounts
 

Hi All,

I've been selling since March using a stealth account, started slow, built my way up and became a business seller, top rated, 220/7000 limits.
I had numerous phone calls with eB and PP, in which time all PP limits were lifted and seller limits raised to the numbers stated above.

I called last week to see if they could raise them again and I was given a manual review and linked to an old account. My guess is that my wife bought something from a website and used PP Guest checkout which linked our real surname to the IP.

I have now been given 21 days to resolve the old account, which I have thoroughly denied being associated with.

In this time I can sell items previously listed, buy, but not list new items - and after 21 days I will be suspended.

I have been processing orders still, processing refunds, paying my fees.

My question is, what are the chances of me calling, showing that i've been still processing orders, refunds, paying fees and them un-restricting.
My guess is that there is more chance of me winning the lottery, and I have already started a new stealth now using a VPN, but this account was doing so well - great feedback, great DSR, top rated...

Looking forward to some answers.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

Once accounts are linked, I don't see a way out of it. You can try to salvage them, but your chances are slim to nil.

Take a step back and understand what just happened so you don't make this mistake again.

Based on what you've stated so far, here are just a couple of mistakes you've made...

1. Calling into eB and PP - this puts human eyes on your account and led to the manual review. Every CSR agent is a mouse click away from shutting down your account. Kno this.

2. Using another account within your household with the same IP.


You say that you are using a stealth account, but you are not following basic stealth practices. My suggestion is to start anew with another stealth account, but follow the stealth practices to a tee.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

Thanks for your reply.

From starting the new account, to getting suspended we moved house - so I assumed the new IP would be fine at the new address.

From now on I won't be straying from the VPN, and the phone calls went fine the first few times, limits raised, restrictions lifted - lesson learnt I guess, just let the account grow naturally without requesting more listing limits.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

No. A new IP is only one aspect of it.

Since you didn't state it, then I'm assuming you used the same computer with the new IP? If so, then you co-mingled the new IP with the same old Windows user account. This is probably what flagged you.

When dealing with a new stealth account, everything must be new.

IP address
Physical address
Name & DOB
Email
Phone number
Credit Card
Windows User Account


Yes, that is an important lesson learned here. Let the accounts grow naturally rather than calling into eB and PP.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

IP started with a VPN, then used my home network when we moved.
Physical address was slightly altered. (this must have contributed)
Name and DOB were made up. (Mrs used same Surname when ordering from a website - this must have triggered something too.)
New £15 phone from a supermarket.
VCC from Entropay.
Created a new logon on my macbook.

I must have slipped somewhere else too, as the T&S person said it was a "strong link".

I bought the eBook about 8 months ago, just found it on my external hard drive, going to have another good read of it.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

Did you sell same things? Reused photos?

Re: Linked Accounts
 

VPN isn't the safest of methods. May be worth using a dongle or looking at BT Hub as they do provide a new IP regularly.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

Never reused photos, but they are used car parts, so inevitably some are going to be the same as I dismantle a specific car brand.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

I'm with Virgin, so i've been using my iPhone to tether and i've hooked a old wireless Belkin router up until my IP lease expires.

Just need to make sure the host name isn't the same when it renews.

Re: Linked Accounts
 

If your wife is using a paypal account or guest with the same ip address then there's your link