EBay managed payment

small_print_reader

Having just tried to help out an older neighbour I am very angry on their behalf and wondered if anyone had any ideas?  

As part of its move to the new managed payments system Ebay has abruptly blocked sales service users from making any sales via the Ebay site unless they provide a passport number or driving licence number.  No alternative ways of proving identity are permitted and if one or the other number is not produced Ebay sellers who have used those services for as much as 20 years+ in the past (and so are already well known to Ebay) are abruptly blocked from continuing to use the sales services of the site.   

Older persons are significantly less likely to possess a passport or driving licence and so by insisting on this specific and very narrow form of identity documentation only, Ebay is being indirectly discriminatory*  to older people who may rely on the income from ebay sales.    Getting a passport costs money an older person may not have and getting a driving licence is often not possible for an older person who no longer is safe to drive.    A call to ebay customer services was entirely unsatisfactory with no scope for discussion and no scope to take the issue further.    Has anyone any ideas on where to go next?   My neighbour cannot be the only older person in this situation.   

*"Indirect discrimination is when there's a practice, policy or rule which applies to everyone in the same way, but it has a worse effect on some people than others. The Equality Act says it puts you at a particular disadvantage"

soolin

I’m older I suppose and was not asked for anything other than bank details, certainly not a driving license or passport. I have supplied passport details in the past for PayPal once I reach their trigger limits, but not for managed payments. 

Pollycat

I'm nearer 70 than 60 and I wasn't asked to provide any proof of identity.

I just provided my bank details (or maybe they already had them, I can't really remember).

Warnings/reminders were sent out regularly before the deadline.

What exactly did eBay say?

small_print_reader

Ebay required a set on-line form headed Update Your Account Details to be completed (I have a photo of the screen) and that form includes a sub-header "Government ID verification.  We need a current ID to help verify this person." and next to this is a drop down box giving only 2 options add passport number or add driving licence number.  If you do not add one or the other you cannot get to the next screen (Bank Account ) and without going to and completing the next screen you cannot sell on ebay any more.....The person has belonged to and bought and sold on Ebay since 1998 and thought at first this was a scam, but it is alas very real!  Ebay customer services were actively unhelpful and unpleasant - but confirmed that without providing one or the other number, no one may now sell on Ebay under the new Managed Payments System.  

soolin

small_print_reader said:

Ebay required a set on-line form headed Update Your Account Details to be completed (I have a photo of the screen) and that form includes a sub-header "Government ID verification.  We need a current ID to help verify this person." and next to this is a drop down box giving only 2 options add passport number or add driving licence number.  If you do not add one or the other you cannot get to the next screen (Bank Account ) and without going to and completing the next screen you cannot sell on ebay any more.....The person has belonged to and bought and sold on Ebay since 1998 and thought at first this was a scam, but it is alas very real!  Ebay customer services were actively unhelpful and unpleasant - but confirmed that without providing one or the other number, no one may now sell on Ebay under the new Managed Payments System.  

Daft question time, due to the account being set up in 1998 , ie pre ebay UK did they ever change to a UK registered account? I signed up back then and changed my registration to UK in around 2001. That’s the only thing I can think of 

Rantband

Soolin the OP said since 1998 NOT 1988 !!!

Spoonie_Turtle

Rantband said:

Soolin the OP said since 1998 NOT 1988 !!!

One assumes it was an innocent typo - and not one that renders the point null either, as eBay UK was launched in 1999 as far as I understand.

soolin

Rantband said:

Soolin the OP said since 1998 NOT 1988 !!!

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Rantband said:

Soolin the OP said since 1998 NOT 1988 !!!

One assumes it was an innocent typo - and not one that renders the point null either, as eBay UK was launched in 1999 as far as I understand.

Yes it was a typo , I’ll change my post but leave these comments to acknowledge the original error. 

Incidentally, there is another thread here now 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6281870/documents#latest

small_print_reader

There appears to be a new Ebay policy saying they require new verification (including from long-standing customers and sellers) and the only verification data they will accept is passport or driving licence and if you don't supply one or the other you may not trade - end of.    I suggested alternative ID could be supplied instead eg bank statement/credit card bill but no the only ID acceptable is passport or driving licence and if you don't have either then goodbye (we don't care).    Banks were not allowed to insist on only those ID documents as it is discriminatory to do so but Ebay clearly don't give a whatsit.  

soolin

small_print_reader said:

There appears to be a new Ebay policy saying they require new verification (including from long-standing customers and sellers) and the only verification data they will accept is passport or driving licence and if you don't supply one or the other you may not trade - end of.    I suggested alternative ID could be supplied instead eg bank statement/credit card bill but no the only ID acceptable is passport or driving licence and if you don't have either then goodbye (we don't care).    Banks were not allowed to insist on only those ID documents as it is discriminatory to do so but Ebay clearly don't give a whatsit.  

Out of interest how long have you been on managed payments before they asked you for further verification? I have been on manage payments now for over 10 months and haven't have to do any additional verification yet.