Implications of doing my father-in-law a 'favour'

psychic_kitten

My father-in-law has been selling designer goods on eBay as his sole source of income since losing his previous job. He was banned after a buyer claimed his stock was fake, although he insists it isn't and that eBay are notorious for taking the side of the buyer without conducting a proper investigation first (don't quote me on that, I've never sold anything on eBay so I don't know), and so now has no income.

He has asked to use an eBay and PayPal account in my name to start selling again. I am very reluctant to do this as I work myself although I do feel guilty as he is relying on the income.

Could someone please give me some advice on this as I don't fully know what would be involved/my responsibility and if I do decline, at least want to have a reasonable explanation.

Thank you

Andy_L

Worst case is you get prosecuted for fraud and, if your in-laws isn't declaring income to the tax man, tax evasion

psychic_kitten

Andy_L wrote: »

Worst case is you get prosecuted for fraud and, if your in-laws isn't declaring income to the tax man, tax evasion

This is probably a stupid question but presumably it is fraud because he would be selling something in my name (although would it be me/him/both that would be done for allowing that?).

Also, would it be his responsibility or mine to declare the tax, as it would be going through my account initially even though I'd then transfer it to him?

McKneff

Yes................

Money put into your account is yours to acccount for which includes decalaring it to the tax man....

If you then gave it to him,,,,,,well...........remember though, if you put the money in your account, it is legally yours, you could just tell him to do one.....

Ask your self this.....'Why is he not asking his wife or his daughter (your wife) to do this.)
Because its breaking the law

psychic_kitten

McKneff wrote: »

Yes................

Money put into your account is yours to acccount for which includes decalaring it to the tax man....

If you then gave it to him,,,,,,well...........remember though, if you put the money in your account, it is legally yours, you could just tell him to do one.....

Ask your self this.....'Why is he not asking his wife or his daughter (your wife) to do this.)
Because its breaking the law

He is single and my husband has the same name, which he claims eBay would assume was him and shut down instantly.

I'm not disagreeing by the way, just pointing out why he asked me - he's not doing it maliciously or to get me into trouble, I just don't think he's thought through the implications for whoever he asks and so I'm trying to understand myself so that I can inform him.

lincroft1710

The reasonable explanation is that it is dishonest as he is pretending to be someone else. Suppose he was selling fakes, even unknowingly - you'd be the one in trouble!

xapprenticex

Basically you came here to see if it was shady or could get you in trouble..

Answer: YES it can.

So don't do it.

Tricky situation though, when family is involved...

Annisele

I agree Ebay is too quick to take the buyer's side. But that means it'll also be quick to rule against you - and you'll be the one liable. Ebay will not be impressed by "it was my banned FiL that did it".

Do you have a term in your employment contract that says you can't take outside work? Many people do, and it might be enought to persuade your FiL that you can't take the risk of your employer finding out you have an Ebay business on the side.

makeyourdaddyproud

Annisele wrote: »

I agree Ebay is too quick to take the buyer's side. But that means it'll also be quick to rule against you - and you'll be the one liable. Ebay will not be impressed by "it was my banned FiL that did it".

Do you have a term in your employment contract that says you can't take outside work? Many people do, and it might be enought to persuade your FiL that you can't take the risk of your employer finding out you have an Ebay business on the side.

I think the main concern was whether there was a risk to the DiL if she capitulated to idea of persisting the trading behaviour through her account and evidently here it appears to be a no-go - not merely being allowed to have a side business by the employer, which would be a questionable and possibly unenforceable contract term in its own right.

Annisele

makeyourdaddyproud wrote: »

I think the main concern was whether there was a risk to the DiL if she capitulated to idea of persisting the trading behaviour through her account and evidently here it appears to be a no-go - not merely being allowed to have a side business by the employer, which would be a questionable and possibly unenforceable contract term in its own right.

Oh, I agree that if there is such a term it might well be unenforceable. I just think it might be useful to an OP who doesn't actually want to do the favour

dacouch

Ebay log the IP addresses of banned customers, if the OP allows the FiL to use her account and he inevitably logs into her account from his home address. Ebay will shortly after shut her account down