New Account Fraud and Seller Account Takeover on eBay
Criminals create new fraudulent eBay seller accounts using stolen identities, or take over existing seller accounts, to run advance-fee purchase fraud or redirect legitimate seller payouts to mule accounts.
Part of: New Account Takeover
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
eBay's marketplace relies on trust signals accumulated over years — feedback ratings, verified payment details, and established selling histories. Criminals exploit these signals through two related attacks: creating new seller accounts using stolen identity documents to inherit eBay's default legitimacy for a fresh account, or taking over existing high-feedback accounts to commit fraud under a trusted seller identity.
New-account fraud on eBay typically targets the seller side: with a verified account, the criminal can list high-value items, collect payment from buyers through eBay's checkout, and never ship. The reviews and history that protect genuine users are absent from a new account, but eBay's verification process lends the new account enough apparent legitimacy to succeed in early transactions.
Account takeover targets high-feedback established sellers: hijacking a seller with hundreds of positive reviews gives the criminal instant credibility to conduct higher-value fraud before buyers become suspicious.
How this scam works on the eBay brand
In new-account fraud, the criminal uses stolen identity documents and a real or fabricated bank account to pass eBay's seller verification, list expensive items at below-market prices, collect multiple payments through eBay checkout, and then claim shipping delays before disappearing. eBay's Money Back Guarantee protects buyers, but the attacker has already withdrawn the funds.
In account takeover, credential stuffing or phishing gives the attacker access to an existing seller account. They change the payout bank account and notification email before listing additional fraudulent items under the trusted seller's name and feedback history. Buyers pay in good faith based on the established reputation.
Some attackers use a hijacked buyer account to purchase from another account they control — building fake positive feedback rapidly to lend new fraudulent seller accounts artificial credibility for larger-value listings.
Common red flags
- You receive an eBay account creation or seller verification confirmation you did not initiate
- Your seller account shows active listings you did not create
- Your eBay payout bank account details have changed without your action
- Buyers contact you about disputes for sales you never made
- A login notification arrives from an unfamiliar device or country
- Your eBay account email address has been changed, preventing you from receiving alerts
How to protect yourself
- Use a unique, strong password for your eBay account and enable two-factor authentication under Account Settings
- Review your eBay seller dashboard, active listings, and payout bank account details regularly
- Set up eBay login notifications so every new-device sign-in triggers an immediate alert
- Check haveibeenpwned.com to identify if your email has appeared in a breach and update reused passwords
- Contact eBay Trust and Safety immediately if you see unrecognised listings or account changes
- Place a credit freeze to prevent identity-based new eBay seller or credit verification in your name
How to report it
- Contact eBay Trust and Safety via ebay.com/help to report account fraud and request an emergency account freeze
- Forward phishing emails that preceded the takeover to [email protected]
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- File a report with the FBI at ic3.gov if significant financial loss resulted from the fraudulent listings
Frequently asked questions
Does eBay's Money Back Guarantee protect buyers who paid a fraudulent seller?
Yes, for transactions paid through eBay checkout within the eligible period. If you purchased an item and never received it, open a case through the eBay Resolution Centre. The legitimate account holder, not the fraudster, may bear responsibility for any unresolved claim if they did not report the takeover quickly.
How do I recover a hijacked eBay seller account?
Use the 'I can't sign in' option at ebay.com/help to start account recovery. Provide identity verification as requested. Act quickly to have eBay reverse fraudulent listings and remove the mule payout account before further damage occurs.
Can my seller feedback rating be restored after an account takeover?
eBay can review feedback left during a period of confirmed account compromise and remove fraudulent negative reviews or adjust ratings. Contact eBay Trust and Safety as part of the recovery process.