The Wholesale Forums

[BillyA]

Anyone hear about this? Read this in another forum:

"Ebay is now checking phone numbers!

EBay's new system dials the phone numbers listed and those returned as disconnected or not a number at all will make you verify your number.

You're given a "pin" number that they will give you when you allow them to call the number. Now if you have a voicemail service this is ok as they will leave the "pin" number and then you can enter it later.

Appears to all be computerized, meaning no human contact, just random computer calls and computer voices for "pin" numbers.

I hear that Ebay also has plans for the following:
- Requiring all new members to register with a credit card.
- Requiring Selling accounts to have a bank account on file as well, sort of like how PP checks to verify you.
- All new accounts will not be able to list an item for sale for 30 days. (I guess this is their way of preventing you from reregistering when your account is kicked and start selling again)

- Requiring all selling accounts to provide a SS# or Business Tax ID #"

Good or bad?

I think this will definitely eliminate much of the scamming that goes on through Ebay. However, could they be shooting themselves in the foot? Will this make sales or the number of sellers drop?

[Anthony]

Pretty similar to PayPal's verification service when confirming your address then. Good move by eBay but I can already think of ways it will be circumvented.

[BillyA]

Do tell...

[FiveStarWholesale]

Great idea.

Should cut the number of scammers, although only by a small fraction I would imagine.

Anything to clean eBay up has to be good, unless it has a detramental effect on trade as a whole.

[Saajan]

Yep. I signed up about a week ago and went through this verification process. I also find it easy to use plus its very helpful for eBay themselves.

[Eklipz]

I dont know about the Tax ID thing, may be thats just in the US, but i guess this is a step forward in preventing scams

but like TSS said, it will only eliminate a certain number of scammers

[studio1one]

I would be really pleased to see tax ID's and registrations used. It may stop quite so many people avoiding all taxes selling stuff at prices that legal traders find it hard to compete with.

Thumbs up from me.

[MustHaveMobiles]

I'm with Anthony there are so many glaringly obvious ways of getting round some of these checks, lets see HOW it is implemented first though before we dismiss it