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When it comes to the world of online retail, eBay stands out as the undisputed leader in e-commerce. If you’re a business owner, it’s highly likely that you’re already well aware of the significant profitability that the eBay platform offers to the retail sector even in 2023.
Nevertheless, like any sales venture, eBay carries its own set of risks. Beyond concerns like receiving counterfeit goods, falling victim to phishing scams, encountering shipping difficulties, or experiencing payment issues, there is one more critical aspect that demands rigorous risk management.
Have you ever found yourself in the unfortunate predicament of having your eBay account banned? Well, it’s a sobering fact that this can occur to almost anyone, often without clear reasons.
The repercussions of losing access to your eBay account, including all your listings and contacts, and being unable to use eBay again, can be akin to a business emergency. However, there’s no need to despair because by adhering to a few straightforward steps on employing proxies for your eBay stealth accounts, you can discover how to protect yourself.
Table of Contents
What are eBay Stealth accounts?
A stealth account is essentially an account that is functionally yours, but its ownership cannot be traced back to you. Given that there’s no foolproof way to prevent being banned on eBay, your best strategy is to create multiple stealth accounts. The more accounts you establish, the safer your position becomes. Depending on the scale of your business, you can begin with a couple of accounts and expand from there.
In simpler terms, you can manage several accounts without interlinking them. Consequently, if one of your accounts faces a ban, you can continue your business operations as usual. This way, you can maintain a consistent revenue stream.
Consider the scenario where you have only one eBay account, and suddenly it becomes unusable. Not only would you lose contact with your existing customers, but you’d also miss out on potential buyers. While it’s beneficial to have a presence on other platforms, let’s face it – eBay is where the real action happens.
Moreover, eBay stealth accounts prove valuable in circumventing eBay’s selling limits, which primarily impact new sellers. These sellers are typically restricted to selling up to 10 items with a total value of up to $500 per month. Fortunately, eBay stealth accounts can help bypass such limitations.
If you are just starting out on eBay or have created a new account that you want to keep suspension-proof, I highly recommend this book.
Is it a challenging process to generate multiple stealth accounts?
Here are the essential guidelines to follow when setting up your stealth account:
- Utilize fresh information and banking accounts.
- Clear eBay’s browser cookies and disable Flash object tracking.
- Alter your device’s IP location.
Use fresh information and financial accounts.
Name
If you’ve been attentively reading the article, this should be evident. Since eBay already possesses your previous information, it’s advisable to employ new details or pseudonyms.
While eBay typically doesn’t connect accounts with identical names, it can still raise suspicion, so it’s a factor to consider.
To address this issue, you can opt to use a family member’s identity. However, it’s crucial to ensure that their name or any other identifier, such as a Social Security Number (SSN), is not linked to a prior account, as it may also serve as a means of verifying someone’s identity. Please note that this practice is applicable primarily in the United States.
If you’re operating within the United States, you also have the option to use a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name. In other countries that have a similar policy, the same principle holds true.
Moreover, both a DBA and an LLC are entirely legal to utilize. The advantage of a DBA is that it provides you with an Employee ID Number (EIN) that can be used in place of a Social Security Number (SSN).
Office/Home address
Every reputable business must be associated with a valid address. This is crucial for situations where customers need to return items, and it can lead to reports or issues if they consistently receive a different address from what’s listed on your account. To ensure smooth operations, it’s advisable to include a legitimate address that you can use. This address can belong to a friend or family member, provided you have their consent and cooperation.
Alternatively, you can consider acquiring a P.O. Box, which can also serve this purpose effectively.
Phone Number
Just as with the address requirement mentioned earlier, it’s imperative to maintain an active phone number that is accessible for eBay or anyone who may need to contact you.
Alternatively, you can opt for a phone number provider that redirects calls to your primary number. Numerous companies provide this service, so select the one that best suits your needs. Just ensure that they offer phone numbers associated with the city where your account’s address is registered.
When registering your stealth accounts, you’ll need to generate new email addresses. We recommend using Gmail, as eBay tends to place trust in it.
Bank Accounts and Credit Cards
For this step, you can utilize credit cards or banking information that you haven’t employed in previous account setups. Alternatively, if the option is available to you, you may use a PayPal account that hasn’t been previously associated with eBay.
It’s important to note that PayPal may request your bank account name, even though they don’t have a means to verify it. However, for your own benefit, it’s strongly advised not to provide inaccurate banking details, as the potential consequences are not worth the risk.
Remove eBay’s browser cookies and disable Flash object tracking
eBay utilizes browser cookies and Flash object tracking primarily to combat fraud and misconduct. However, they can also pose obstacles when you’re in the process of creating a new account. Here’s how to eliminate them.
The most effective approach is to utilize programs like CCleaner to clear cookies. However, it’s important to note that if you’re managing multiple stealth accounts, eBay may become suspicious if the cookies for your account are consistently cleared. To mitigate this, it’s advisable to create an additional user account on your personal computer. This way, if you need to clear cookies for one account, they will remain intact on the other.
To clear Flash object tracking, simply visit your “Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager” and delete your Flash cookies through your web browser.
Change Device IP Address
This step is arguably the most crucial because every internet-connected device is assigned an IP address, which can be likened to your device’s ID card. If a prior account suspension occurred on a device with a specific IP address, that IP address is typically blacklisted. Consequently, if another account is detected using the same IP address in the future, it can lead to suspension once again.
The most effective way to circumvent this problem is to use a different device when creating your stealth account. However, if you don’t have an extra device readily available, this approach may not be the most cost-effective solution.
As an alternative, you can consider employing VPNs or proxies. While the effectiveness of these methods can vary, they offer a more budget-friendly means of addressing the issue compared to purchasing a new device each time you encounter a suspension.
Create Your Stealth Account
Now, to recap everything we’ve discussed, you’ll require fresh, unused information that eBay doesn’t have stored in their records. This includes details such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and bank/PayPal accounts.
Once you’ve cleared all your cookies, eliminated Flash object trackers, and obtained a new IP address, you’re ready to proceed with creating your new stealth account. However, remember that all these efforts will be in vain if you don’t…
With the induction of Managed Payment, it has become difficult to create a stealth account because your bank account has to go through a verification process before you can list. All bank accounts go through tough scrutiny. eBay insists that the names on your eBay account and the bank account should be the same.
Literally, it is almost impossible to create a fake bank account. For this reason, it is a good idea to ask your friends or family member if they can allow you to create a new eBay account in their names and use it. It will ensure you have their bank account available to use. You may even want them to open a new bank account for you.
Protect eBay Stealth Account
Stealth accounts are just as vulnerable to issues and challenges as regular accounts, so it’s crucial to safeguard them with the same diligence you would apply to a standard account. Here are some key considerations:
While it’s evident that you should implement the same protective measures as you would for a regular account, there are additional factors to take into account when safeguarding your stealth account.
Mistakes such as mishandling information and accessing the account from different IP addresses can raise red flags, potentially leading to detection. Therefore, it’s essential not to mix up or confuse your account information. The most effective approach is to organize and manage this information meticulously.
FAQs on eBay Stealth Accounts
Are eBay Stealth Accounts Legal?
There is no legal prohibition against creating a stealth account. However, eBay does not permit it because the platform aims to maintain safety by limiting access to regular accounts and preventing previously banned sellers from rejoining.
Can I open a new eBay account if mine is suspended?
eBay’s policy prohibits the creation of a new account if your previous account has been permanently suspended. Nevertheless, some individuals still opt to create stealth accounts to resume selling on the platform.
Can I use a VPN with eBay?
Absolutely, eBay’s policies do not explicitly forbid the use of VPNs. You are free to utilize a reliable and cost-effective option like NordVPN.
Conclusion
For eBay sellers, establishing a stealth account is a sensible precaution to safeguard your business from potential risks. eBay has the authority to suspend accounts at any time for policy violations, even if you are unaware of them. A stealth account provides a protective measure.
Creating a stealth account involves following the steps outlined above, although it’s important to emphasize that maintaining a clear separation of your details from those of your previous account is crucial. This prevents eBay from linking the accounts, as eBay often suspends connected accounts.
Related article:
- Can You Dropship on eBay in 2023?
- The Best eBay Dropshipping Software for Automation in 2023
- Best Dropshipping Suppliers in the USA
Do you have experience with or questions about using a stealth account? Feel free to share your thoughts or inquiries by leaving a comment in the box below, and I’ll be happy to provide answers.
