Does Ebay use billing & shipping addresses to link accounts?

Salutations everyone.

I've recently been suspended as a seller on ebay, and I'm researching ways to get back into the game. One thing I'm not certain about is whether the site uses both billing and shipping addresses to connect suspended accounts.

I've heard of examples where buyers have been able to get away with using either and sometimes both addresses after suspension, though I'm inclined to believe they were merely lucky. Furthermore, I've contacted a customer service representative about the issue, giving a cover story about moving into a new apartment complex and being worried that a previously banned account would get linked to my own due to the new billing and shipping address. The representative said that only the IP address, cookies, and flash cookies are taken into consideration when linking accounts due to the nature of changing physical addresses, but naturally I was a little suspicious of this explanation and I'd like to ask the professionals for genuine clarification.

My apologies if this has already been addressed before and I've somehow missed the thread touching upon the subject. Any and all insight onto this matter would be greatly appreciated!

Mutated_Sun said:

being worried that a previously banned account would get linked to my own due to the new billing and shipping address.

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Billing addresses will get you 100% linked, shipping addresses won't, in my experience.

Mutated_Sun said:

The representative said that only the IP address, cookies, and flash cookies are taken into consideration when linking accounts due to the nature of changing physical addresses, but naturally I was a little suspicious of this explanation and I'd like to ask the professionals for genuine clarification.

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1. eBay reps can and will lie to you.

2. many things that can potentially link you doesn't really link you unless you establish a pattern, IMO. For example, a one time use of IP address used by a banned account by itself won't get you banned; if you log in from linked IP address and have same flash cookies, it will likely result in a quick ban.

toml3030 said:

Billing addresses will get you 100% linked, shipping addresses won't, in my experience.



1. eBay reps can and will lie to you.

2. many things that can potentially link you doesn't really link you unless you establish a pattern, IMO. For example, a one time use of IP address used by a banned account by itself won't get you banned; if you log in from linked IP address and have same flash cookies, it will likely result in a quick ban.

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I figured as much, but thanks for clearing things up. Just to experiment, I made a small purchase using the card I had on my suspended account. Been a few hours with no signs of activity yet, but we'll see soon enough.

Mutated_Sun said:

I figured as much, but thanks for clearing things up. Just to experiment, I made a small purchase using the card I had on my suspended account. Been a few hours with no signs of activity yet, but we'll see soon enough.

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Sometimes it takes a few months for them to catch up, so don't take this experiment as gospel. Also unless your accounts get terminated for something that grossly violates eBay rule, like scamming people or selling obvious fakes, eBay will let all buying activity slide. It's only when you try to sell on a linked account that they'll drop the ban hammer. It's just a better use of your time to start stealth accounts with all new info.

toml3030 said:

Sometimes it takes a few months for them to catch up, so don't take this experiment as gospel. Also unless your accounts get terminated for something that grossly violates eBay rule, like scamming people or selling obvious fakes, eBay will let all buying activity slide. It's only when you try to sell on a linked account that they'll drop the ban hammer. It's just a better use of your time to start stealth accounts with all new info.

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Thanks, you've been a real lifesaver for me.
Hopefully the various stealth and incognito guides get a minor update to handle more specific circumstances like this--I know I'm not the only one and it would save a lot of people a lot of heartbreak.

Mutated_Sun said:

Thanks, you've been a real lifesaver for me.
Hopefully the various stealth and incognito guides get a minor update to handle more specific circumstances like this--I know I'm not the only one and it would save a lot of people a lot of heartbreak.

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Well, "EVERYTHING MUST BE NEW ON A STEALTH ACCOUNT TO BE 100% SAFE" is not that hard to remember and will never be outdated.

toml3030 said:

Well, "EVERYTHING MUST BE NEW ON A STEALTH ACCOUNT TO BE 100% SAFE" is not that hard to remember and will never be outdated.

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That's very true, but not everyone can come up with a new billing address on the spot so periods of uncertainty pop up now and again. Factor in the weird lull periods in ebay's "security", and you've got people asking questions.

Mutated_Sun said:

That's very true, but not everyone can come up with a new billing address on the spot so periods of uncertainty pop up now and again. Factor in the weird lull periods in ebay's "security", and you've got people asking questions.

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Yes, but it's not that difficult if you're not lazy. That's the #1 reason why people who fail, fail. They're too lazy to get things done right. Look at how many people come here asking for stuff that a 2 minute google search can tell them, or start doing highly dubious things like selling obviously fake shoes and then getting all angry because paypal banned them.

Yes they do. They also link other info as well