Misrepresentation of identity policy overview
eBay does not permit members to misrepresent themselves as eBay employees or as other eBay members.
Activity on eBay is required to follow this policy, the eBay User Agreement and all applicable laws, as well as respect the rights of third parties. If it doesn't, eBay may take action consistent with applicable laws and the eBay User Agreement, and may even be legally required to do so. Such actions may include, as an example only: Removing the listing or other content, issuing a warning, restricting activity or account suspension.
To report a member who is attempting to misrepresent himself or herself as an eBay employee or as another eBay member, please contact eBay with the member's User ID or email address. Due to privacy issues, eBay will be unable to discuss the result of the investigation.
Some examples
Don lists the latest camcorder with hard drive on eBay and asks that payment for his item be made through by PayPal. Vicki is the highest bidder at the end of the auction. Unbeknownst to both bidder and seller, a third party has viewed details of the auction and sends an email to Vicki telling her that they are an agent acting on behalf of Don and that her payment should be made to their PayPal account instead of Don’s.
Vicki is rightfully suspicious of this and after confirming with Don, proceeds through eBay checkout ensuring that the funds are received by the legitimate person.
Additional information
Personal information – such as names, addresses, passwords, credit card numbers – are sensitive and valuable. Personal information can also be valuable to individuals trying to defraud eBay members. To try to get this type of information from an eBay member, one of these individuals might send a member an email claiming to be eBay or another eBay member and requesting personal information. These requests might say it is important for members to reply with sensitive information by email, or contain links to Web pages that request members to sign in and submit information.
eBay will never ask a member to send eBay sensitive information through email. If eBay ever does request sensitive information, eBay will always direct its members to the eBay site. With very few exceptions, members can submit the requested information through their “My eBay” page.
If a member receives an email message requesting passwords, credit card numbers or other sensitive information, they should refer to the Email and Websites Impersonating eBay page for more information as well as instructions that will allow them to report the email. If they have already submitted information as a result of an email message they received, they should review the Securing Your Account and Reporting Account Theft page for additional steps they should take as well as information about how to contact eBay for assistance.
Why does eBay have this policy?
eBay has this policy to help our members protect their personal information and to help members avoid being victimised by unscrupulous individuals.
