Amazon account blocked

ABERDEEN_2

Hi

I used amazon for the first time last week to sell a DVD, I sent the DVD out the next day. Today I tried to log on to transfer my £15 funds but it said my account was blocked. I phoned and emailed to ask why and was told to wait for an email. I received this.



Greetings from Amazon.co.uk,

Your Amazon.co.uk seller account has been closed, as it has come to our attention that this account is related to a previously blocked seller account. While we are unable to provide detailed information on how we link related accounts, please know that we have reviewed your account on the basis of the information provided and regret to inform you that it will not be reopened.

Any funds that were in your account at the time of closure are on temporary hold pending the resolution of your sales. Funds are generally held for 90 days and will be released minus any unresolved chargebacks or A-to-z claims filed against your account.

Please understand that the closure of an account is a permanent action. Any subsequent accounts that are opened will be closed as well. Thank you for your understanding with our decision.

Regards,

Seller Performance Team
Amazon.co.uk




I have NEVER used amazon before, this was the first time. I now have £15 sitting there that they won't transfer to me.

Any idea what I need to do about this?

Scarpacci

The e-mail doesn't say they won't transfer the £15 to you, it says it's being held temporarily subject to any claims. That sounds like you will be paid, provided the buyer doesn't put it in a claim. This is undoubtedly covered by their terms and service and is often the typical procedure for new sellers - not just sellers whose account has been closed.

As for the matter of them closing your account, well there's really nothing you can do about that. They are perfectly entitled to select who does and does not sell on their platform, whether you agree with their process or their assertion.

CoolHotCold

Wait for 90 days?

pcombo

your lucky its not 180 days like paypal.

unholyangel

As above, it reads that they are holding the money in case your customer doesnt receive their goods/has a problem with them.


If you genuinely have never had an amazon account and no one has opened one (that you know of) in your name, you can make a subject access request to them, this is basically a request for all the data they hold about you. Under the Data Protection Act, they are obliged to ensure their records are accurate and up to date. Technically if you notify them that their records are incorrect, they should investigate to ascertain if their records are indeed wrong and if they are, correct them. You can find more information on DPA, subject access requests etc on ICO's website: http://www.ico.gov.uk

You can also request they delete information held about you but if they have a genuine reason, they can decline. If the previous account was blocked for fraud (for example) I would say this is a very good reason to keep the details, hence why a correction would be a better goal imo.

ABERDEEN_2

Thanks unholyangel. I am going to look into that. Last week was the first time I've ever used amazon and don understand why this has happened.

ABERDEEN_2

Now I'm worried someone has set up an account in my name. There is no one at amazon to speak to in that department today!

bod1467

Bear in mind that a company is allowed to charge up to £10 to service a Subject Access Request (SAR). Given that you're only talking about £15 then you'll need to judge whether it is worth it.

Did you previously have an account with Amazon for making purchases? If yes, did you use the same account for selling? It could well be that Amazon have your account mixed up with someone else (e.g. very similar names).

unholyangel

ABERDEEN wrote: »

Now I'm worried someone has set up an account in my name. There is no one at amazon to speak to in that department today!

I wouldnt worry. It could be something as silly as your IP address - and I say its silly because most people have a dynamic IP that will change. If you're on AOL servers (are they even still around?) you get your IP from a limited pool and its not uncommon to have thousands of people associated with that IP.


From ICO website:

Q: An organisation has inaccurate information about me. What can I do?

You should write to the organisation explaining what the problem is and where appropriate provide them with any evidence to show what the information should say. Keep copies of this correspondence. If, after a reasonable amount of time (we would recommend 28 days) the information has not been corrected, you can make a complaint under the Data Protection Act. Please ensure that you supply copies of your correspondence, evidence and, if applicable, any response you receive.

So you need to write to them (even email) detailing the problem and that under the fourth principle of the DPA, information should be accurate and up to date, so you are requesting they correct their records.

SuperHan

How long have you lived at your address? They could have linked you to a dodgy seller who used to live where you do...

ABERDEEN_2

SuperHan wrote: »

How long have you lived at your address? They could have linked you to a dodgy seller who used to live where you do...

I only moved house a few months ago, It's a new build property so no previous owners :undecided