In this article
	Using your email address as identification Using a credit or debit card as identification Identification for sellers

Verifying some basic information about our members helps make eBay a safe place to buy and sell.

Using your email address as identification

When you register you’re asked to provide a valid email address, which we use to verify your identity. When an email address can’t be verified, it’s usually for one of these reasons:

• Your email address came from a free, Web-based account such as Yahoo! or Hotmail.

• Our messages to your email address repeatedly bounced back to us.

Using a credit or debit card as identification

If the email address you entered can’t be used to verify your identity, we’ll ask you to place your credit or debit card on file. Placing your card on file is one of the quickest and safest ways for us to verify your information. We’ll use your card for identification only -- you will not be charged.

If you don't want to place your credit or debit card on file, you can try registering with an email address from a company, school, or paid Internet Service Provider. Or, you can prove your identity through ID Verify.

Identification for sellers

When you create a seller account, you need to tell us how you’ll pay your seller fees. One of the following types of information needs to be on file:

• PayPal account information

• Credit or debit card

• Checking account information