Why is ebay asking for photo identification?

[brhylliant]

Hi Guys,

I just changed my home address in my selling portal. However, now I have received a message from ebay informing me that they will withhold funds unless I upload either a passport picture or driving licence for verification purposes. They seem to want photographic Id - but why? The documentation requested still bears my former address and I do not anticipate applying for new Id for some time.

Has this happened to anyone else? And why do they require phot id? I'm very loathe to send offical id of this nature to a private company. Any advice most welcome.

[frankenhobbit]

Why do you not anticipate applying for ID for some time?  Doesn't your state require your drivers license to be updated?

[ebooksdiva]

They want to make sure it is you that is changing addresses and not a hacker. 
They required my photo ID or driver’s license and copy of my marriage license when I changed my last name to prove it was me. I had no issues. 

[4pawsup*]

Why would you not want to change your id to your new address? Is your move temporary?

[redmodelt · Accepted solution]

Your driver's license is not as private as you might think it is. Guess if you want to sell and if most states are alike, you need to update your address withing 60 days, or as required by the state you live are/will be living in and provide proof to eBay as requested by them. 

[stuff4divas]

@brhylliant  ebay wants to make sure u r u, fyi- ebay is not a private company, it is a publicly traded company

[maxine*j]

Among other reasons, it's a requirement of the INFORM Act:

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/INFORMAct

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[femmefan1946]

Less photographic than government issued.

You should be updating your driving license if you have moved.

Passports don't have addresses.

[brhylliant]

Temporary to start with up to 3 months.

[brhylliant]

It's private in that it is not a government/offical agency. 

[monica-sells]

Not relevant to the conversation

but....

I am more comfortable complying with a private corporation than I am with a offering information to a government/official agency that is 'generally incompetent' as far as security is concerned......

....continue your discussion.....

(and yes, ebay has my DL and bank statement on file)

[tools*]

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@frankenhobbit wrote:

Why do you not anticipate applying for ID for some time?  Doesn't your state require your drivers license to be updated?

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The original poster is in the UK.

[fab_finds4u]

The U.S. passed a law called the INFORM Consumers Act. To make a safe buying place it requires eBay to verify identities of sellers, thus the ID needs to be official;  a  driver's license,  a passport or your National ID.

When you got a UK business license didn't  you have to show identification?

[frankenhobbit]

It's a legal requirement there too. Live there for 35 years. 

[frankenhobbit]

Of course, that would still make the INFORM act irrelevant as the US has no jurisdiction there.