Curious about locations of "We noticed a new sign-in on your account..."

WIAWSNB

I often get this when I use my phone instead of my PC to log in to, say, Gmail or eBay. What bemuses me, tho', is my supposed 'location' at the time. I'm guessing it comes down to whatever 'hub' or whatevs is being used? Just signed into my eBay account on my PC, last logged in a few days ago via my phone, positioned roughly 5' from the PC. I'm in Devon, but it reckons I'm in the Fens; "We noticed a new sign-in on your account at ebay.co.uk. Here are the details: Time of sign-in 04-Aug-2025 10:24 GMT

Device Unknown

Approximate location New Costessey, Norfolk, United Kingdom

If this was you, there’s nothing you need to do. If it wasn’t, please change your password right away." How does this happen? Ta.

Ectophile

There will be a couple of reasons.

Your internet connection will be sent through your ISP's own network before it reaches a router out onto the wider internet.  So your "location" may be where your connection to the internet is.

Most home users have a dynamic IP address.  Every time your home router reboots for any reason, it gets a new IP address from a pool held by your ISP.  If your new IP address had previously been located in one town, it may continue to be associated with that location, even though it's now used by a different customer.

WIAWSNB

Ectophile said:

There will be a couple of reasons.

Your internet connection will be sent through your ISP's own network before it reaches a router out onto the wider internet.  So your "location" may be where your connection to the internet is.

Most home users have a dynamic IP address.  Every time your home router reboots for any reason, it gets a new IP address from a pool held by your ISP.  If your new IP address had previously been located in one town, it may continue to be associated with that location, even though it's now used by a different customer.

Thanks.

Without that info, it could be a bit scary, as it implies someone else, far away, is accessing your account.

Fortunately, I don't care...

J_B

I had this a few years back with my gmail - turned out to be something to do with 2FA - turned that on and all was good.

WIAWSNB

J_B said:

I had this a few years back with my gmail - turned out to be something to do with 2FA - turned that on and all was good.

You know what I'm going to ask...

J_B

WIAWSNB said:

J_B said:

I had this a few years back with my gmail - turned out to be something to do with 2FA - turned that on and all was good.

You know what I'm going to ask...

Like most stuff digitally ... I fixed it but quite how ... I don't remember! 😳

WIAWSNB

J_B said:

WIAWSNB said:

J_B said:

I had this a few years back with my gmail - turned out to be something to do with 2FA - turned that on and all was good.

You know what I'm going to ask...

Like most stuff digitally ... I fixed it but quite how ... I don't remember! 😳

Now that answer I didn't expect! :-)