There have been reports of people attempting to obtain eBay member’s private information by sending emails that impersonate eBay. These emails, called spoof or phishing emails, request members to send account and personal information in a reply email or enter this information through a spoof or phishing Web site.
If you provided confidential information through a fake Web site, you should take measures to both secure your eBay account and your identity.
Secure Your eBay Account
Change your eBay password immediately and create a secure password. If the password on your email account is the same as your eBay account, you must also change your email password. Do not use the same password for both your eBay account and your email account.
Upgrade your browser. Browsers with the latest anti-phishing capabilities make recognizing spoof (fake) Web sites easier.
Go to Securing Your eBay Account and Reporting Account Theft to learn more about what you can do if you suspect that an unauthorized party has accessed or has attempted to access your eBay account.
Protect Your IdentityPlace a fraud alert on your credit reports, and then review them. Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more credit in your name. You only need to contact one credit bureau, because federal law requires that the one you contact must also alert the other credit bureaus.
Contact your credit card company. If you entered a credit card number, you should contact your credit card company to cancel your account and alert them to the situation. Follow your credit card issuer's instructions for formally documenting the problem.
Contact your bank. If you provided bank account information, you should contact your bank and ask for instructions about protecting your account.
File a Police Report. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. Make a copy of the report and note the date it was filed in case your credit card company or bank needs proof of the crime.
File an identity theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) maintains a database of identity theft cases. Information submitted to the FTC is used by law enforcement agencies to assist with investigations.
To file a complaint with the FTC, use one of the following contact options:
Web site: www.consumer.gov/idtheft
Fraud Hotline: 202-326-2502
Credit Bureau Contacts
Report the fraud to one of the three credit bureaus listed below. Ask them to place a "fraud alert" on your file so that no new credit can be granted without your approval. Make certain to follow-up with a written report after a phone call. Once you've placed your alert, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit file from each credit bureau. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your accounts that you can't explain. Verify that information, like your Social Security Number, addresses, name or initials, and employers are correct. Continue to check your credit reports periodically to make sure no new fraudulent activity has occurred.
Credit Bureau |
Address |
Order Credit Report |
Report Fraud |
Equifax |
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA
30374-0241 |
1-800-685-1111 |
1-800-525-6285 |
Experian |
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX
75013 |
1-888-EXPERIAN
(397-3742) |
1-888-EXPERIAN |
TransUnion |
760 Sproul Road
P.O. Box 390
Springfield, PA
19064-0390 |
1-800-916-8800 |
1-800-680-7289 |
For more information about deterring identity theft, visit eBay's Security and Resolution Center.
You can also find valuable resources at the following Web sites:
Note:
eBay uses technology and encryption methods to store your credit card information. This information cannot be accessed by signing in to your eBay account.
Make sure you use a secure server when providing credit card information over the Internet. You can identify a secure server by the first part of the Web address (URL). A secure server's Web address will begin with "https://" not "http://". Also, a lock or key symbol should appear on the Web page. Look for these symbols when providing credit card information over the Internet. If you've upgraded to a browser with the latest anti-phishing capabilities, look for a green Web address bar to confirm that you are on a secure page before entering sensitive information.
Related Help topics
