eBay Scam or Genuine Change in Policy

[paul]

I received an email, supposedly from ebay, telling me that I needed to update my account by including bank account information by Feb. 14. If I don't do this, I supposedly lose my ability to sell on ebay. The email looks authentic, but sure sounds like a scam to get my bank account info. Have any of you received a similar email? Thanks.

[scottglevy]

I haven’t - but very rarely sell on eBay. I’d proceed with EXTREME caution

[jiw98]

Sounds like a scam to me. I would contact e-bay directly.

[Santo10Fan]

You are describing a phishing email do not click on anything within it. If you are concerned about the account login into ebay on you own and check your payment methods.

Check out this website to see if your email has ever been compromised by the multitudes of hacks in the past decade. https://haveibeenpwned.com/

[Jim65]

If they used your name in the email, its legit. Ebay changed over to Ebay Managed Payments, you need to provide bank info, just make sure you do it on the site, don't link to Ebay through email.

[Michael B]

SCAM, SCAM AND SCAM!!! If ebay was trying to send you a message you would also see it in your messages folder in your ebay account. Their messages appear as a regular email and in the folder. No different than if someone was sending you a message regarding an item you have listed.. One of the easiest ways to double check a suspicious email is to hit reply and look at the email address to which it will be returned.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by paul

I received an email, supposedly from ebay, telling me that I needed to update my account by including bank account information by Feb. 14. If I don't do this, I supposedly lose my ability to sell on ebay. The email looks authentic, but sure sounds like a scam to get my bank account info. Have any of you received a similar email? Thanks.

Sounds like a phishing scam. I don't sell much on eBay but have sold a few cards in the last few months. I have not received a similar email.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Jim65

If they used your name in the email, its legit. Ebay changed over to Ebay Managed Payments, you need to provide bank info, just make sure you do it on the site, don't link to Ebay through email.

^This^ I received the same email but have till the end of the month to switch over or I can no longer sell on eBay.

[Jim65]

Originally Posted by bnorth

^This^ I received the same email but have till the end of the month to switch over or I can no longer sell on eBay.

My deadline passed, I want to open a bank account solely for Ebay but haven't had time.

[obcbobd]

Originally Posted by Michael B

SCAM, SCAM AND SCAM!!! If ebay was trying to send you a message you would also see it in your messages folder in your ebay account. Their messages appear as a regular email and in the folder. No different than if someone was sending you a message regarding an item you have listed.. One of the easiest ways to double check a suspicious email is to hit reply and look at the email address to which it will be returned.

Good advice. For me the message I got via email matched the message in the messages folder on the Ebay sight. So although not a scam, you should never click on a link from an email. Go to the web site (EBay, your bank etc.) and access your account from there.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Jim65

My deadline passed, I want to open a bank account solely for Ebay but haven't had time.

We have a bank account solely for Paypal, will probably hook it to that one.

[paul]

Thank you all very much. I am not touching that email.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by paul

Thank you all very much. I am not touching that email.

Simplest and safest solution is what others have said - log onto your ebay account and check your messages from there.

With managed payments, ebay now requires bank info so they can deposit your money when you sell stuff.

[deadballera]

this is legit - Ebay is getting away from PayPal - now requiring sellers to link through a bank account. deposits will take place every couple of days. you will no longer get a Paypal notification. Ebay will state the item is paid and you will need to ship before getting the money from the buyer.

[BobbyStrawberry]

It's 100% legitimate. I've put this off as long as possible and I cannot sell on there anymore unless I give them access to a bank account and my social security number (which I find outrageous, but I guess they are getting away with it).

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by BobbyStrawberry

It's 100% legitimate. I've put this off as long as possible and I cannot sell on there anymore unless I give them access to a bank account and my social security number (which I find outrageous, but I guess they are getting away with it).

But, since this is common knowledge, a scammer could send out emails pretending to be from ebay, soliciting this info.

Point is, yes, ebay is asking for banking info. But, don't give it to them by replying to an email - reply to them through their website.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Mark17

But, since this is common knowledge, a scammer could send out emails pretending to be from ebay, soliciting this info.

Point is, yes, ebay is asking for banking info. But, don't give it to them by replying to an email - reply to them through their website.

Good point–I agree that's the best way to handle it.

[Fred]

ebay can contact you via the portal in the "messages" section.

[drcy]

The rule of thumb for any such email inquiries is to not go through the link in the email. Go into your browser, go to the company website and login there. If there is some such real notice, it will tell you there.

[paul]

I just checked my messages in My eBay, and the same message was there. Do I guess it's legit. I sell on ebay so rarely that I think I'll probably wait until I have something to sell before giving them all of my info.

[toledo_mudhen]

Yes SSAN also - I'm guessing that we are all gonna start getting 1099's at some point (no more tax free income - filing just got a whole bunch harder).

They do however make deposits to your account fairly quickly - just no more "slush" fund in my paypal account.