Ive stopped selling on Ebay after 10 years

Spoonie_Turtle

robtes said:

Giving up you NI number???????  Hve you ever heard of datamining?  You will be asked from various source over time for disconnected items of identity - dark forces will string these together and gather a complete dossier of your private data - is that what you want - where does that data go?
I knew a guy 10 years ago ex us military intel - he told me all about data mining and stringing -- it was scary back then.  What is it you dont get?

Yeah obviously don't give up your personal details to data harvesters on Facebook or random phone callers or scam giveaway/'you've won an iPad' popups.  And the person doing your MOT for instance probably doesn't need your NI number.  But that doesn't apply to companies like eBay that need your data for a specific purpose and have to have strict privacy protection in place for it.

strawb_shortcake

RedImp_2 said:

Anybody else ever been asked for photo id on EBay?  First I’ve heard about it.

My OH registered years ago but did not put his real name, ebay asked for ID which he would provide under the name provided so they cancelled his account which is why I do all the selling now 

Debbie9009

RedImp_2 said:

Anybody else ever been asked for photo id on EBay?  First I’ve heard about it.

I have, but I did recently change my bank account so assume that’s what triggered it, which is reasonable.  Strangely when I went to complete the security check, I noticed that the address they have for me is one I haven’t lived at for 25 years, and that I know I have changed each time I moved, so no idea what has happened there, does make me wonder how good they are with keeping data updated.

soolin

RedImp_2 said:

Anybody else ever been asked for photo id on EBay?  First I’ve heard about it.

I have, I had to supply either a scan of my passport or my driving license , both of which have my photo. I did it for the first time with PayPal about 15 years ago, then had to do it a second time with PayPal a few years later, then with eBay about 8 years ago. 

I have also had to supply my NI number to both Vinted and eBay. 

Hoenir

PocketWatchMan said:

JadedAngel88 said:

If you're selling your own junk on eBay, HMRC are not interested.

If, on the other hand, you're buying things to sell to make profit. Then HMRC are interested.

I've been infrequently selling my junk on eBay since 2006, I've not been asked or given them any personal documents but would if they asked.

Sometimes it's better to not cut your nose off just to spite your face.

Sorry but this simply does not match real world experience - someone of my acquaintance has had to retain legal advice at considerable expense, as HMRC have accused him of being a trader (which is a laughable accusation, to those that know the person) simply for letting go of things that have been in a basement or loft for years, if not decades. 

People don't seek highly expensive advice unless the HMRC are going for the jugglar. Treating the HMRC as being stupid is the worst mistake people can make. They've access to all manner of data that enables them to make 2+2 = 4. 

tbriggs166

RedImp_2 said:

Anybody else ever been asked for photo id on EBay?  First I’ve heard about it.

I havent but know people that have. As mentioned amazon require info for their KYC checks so not suprising is ebay check up too if there is a discrepency in their system

tbriggs166

RFW said:

RedImp_2 said:

Anybody else ever been asked for photo id on EBay?  First I’ve heard about it.

On Amazon last year many sellers, including myself, had a KYC check. This included having to prove we were based in the UK and selling goods from the UK. They require a ridiculous amount of information from accounts that had been verified on there for years.

I don't know if I've given Ebay my photo id but it's fairly standard procedure for any reputable marketplace.

Yes I agree the KYC checks for Amazon are very detailed so eBay requiring these documents is nothing surprising

sonearandyetsofa

I've provided photo ID for my own personal account, and proof of business address, photo ID for both directors and proof of their personal addresses for our business account. EBay have my bank details so they will pay out on my personal account, I don't think they have my NI but I'm fairly sure we had to provide that to Amazon to sell there. I don't see the issue. So eBay have your national insurance number, so what? Anyone can be hacked, look at the current situation with M&S, the Coop and Harrods. You should just assume that your personal information is already out there and behave accordingly - keep an eye on your credit, watch out for suspicious texts, emails and messages, make sure you use different secure passwords on every website, don't reuse PINs and always react quickly to anything suspicious. Consider this a reminder to change your passwords if it's been over 3 months since you last did so, and don't use the same ones on each platform.

HMRC isn't clamping down on private sellers, it's clamping down on all the "private" sellers who are actually running businesses under the radar. It's had a negative impact on the grey market on eBay for sure, as many of the under the table type sellers have left, and the end result is if they're not selling on eBay they're not buying on their either which isn't good news for the legitimate sellers that remain. But, personally, I think I'd prefer it if my competitors on eBay were forced to actually pay the tax they owe rather than getting away with defrauding the state while those of us who run legitimate businesses are left to foot the bill.

The downside is a loss of some legitimate private sellers and buyers who, like OP, have done nothing wrong but just aren't comfortable with proving their identity. I'd hope some of these people will find alternative ways to buy from legitimate UK companies, like finding an item on eBay and then googling the company name to contact them directly. I shop on AliExpress myself sometimes (stickers and craft supplies mostly) and know that I'm taking a risk every time I place an order. To see it presented as a more trustworthy place to shop than eBay is a little odd to say the least.

robtes

Its still an opportunity for data mining and data theft, just look at recent hacking examples M&S  Coop.  Remember your are not a vAlued customer but a victim to be monetised AND EXPLOITED.  So If they only have alias credentials on you thats not so valuable.  Its not to do with security with a simple customer buying some kiddies toys - why all this hyper security crap?

robtes

sonearandyetsofa said:

I've provided photo ID for my own personal account, and proof of business address, photo ID for both directors and proof of their personal addresses for our business account. EBay have my bank details so they will pay out on my personal account, I don't think they have my NI but I'm fairly sure we had to provide that to Amazon to sell there. I don't see the issue. So eBay have your national insurance number, so what? Anyone can be hacked, look at the current situation with M&S, the Coop and Harrods. You should just assume that your personal information is already out there and behave accordingly - keep an eye on your credit, watch out for suspicious texts, emails and messages, make sure you use different secure passwords on every website, don't reuse PINs and always react quickly to anything suspicious. Consider this a reminder to change your passwords if it's been over 3 months since you last did so, and don't use the same ones on each platform.

HMRC isn't clamping down on private sellers, it's clamping down on all the "private" sellers who are actually running businesses under the radar. It's had a negative impact on the grey market on eBay for sure, as many of the under the table type sellers have left, and the end result is if they're not selling on eBay they're not buying on their either which isn't good news for the legitimate sellers that remain. But, personally, I think I'd prefer it if my competitors on eBay were forced to actually pay the tax they owe rather than getting away with defrauding the state while those of us who run legitimate businesses are left to foot the bill.

The downside is a loss of some legitimate private sellers and buyers who, like OP, have done nothing wrong but just aren't comfortable with proving their identity. I'd hope some of these people will find alternative ways to buy from legitimate UK companies, like finding an item on eBay and then googling the company name to contact them directly. I shop on AliExpress myself sometimes (stickers and craft supplies mostly) and know that I'm taking a risk every time I place an order. To see it presented as a more trustworthy place to shop than eBay is a little odd to say the least.

Ever been a victim of identity theft??????????