2 min article

Tips for keeping your eBay account secure

The safety of your personal data is our top priority, so we take a number of measures to protect your account. There are also some simple steps you can take to make your account more secure.

Here are some things you can do to help protect your eBay account and keep your personal data safe.

Keeping your data secure

We protect your personal information and on-file banking credentials at all times using security measures such as:

  • Data encryption
  • Security firewall layers
  • Physical safeguards within data centres

There are some simple steps you can take to make your account more secure, such as changing your password regularly, enabling 2 Step Verification, and keeping your contact information updated.

To add an extra layer of security to your eBay account, we recommend you enable 2 Step Verification. Once you've switched on 2 Step Verification, each time you sign into your account you'll be able to confirm your identity via an eBay app push notification, or by entering a code we send you by SMS. Here’s how to add 2 Step Verification.

Our security standards are in line with global regulatory requirements. Learn more in our Security Centre.

Change your password regularly

To keep your account secure, we recommend updating your password regularly. Choose a strong password that's difficult for others to guess.

Follow these tips for creating a strong new password:

  • Avoid using personal details such as your name, birth date, or user ID
  • Consider using a phrase (for example, a song lyric or book title)
  • Use numbers and special characters
  • Don’t use the same password that you use on other accounts

If you think your eBay account has been compromised or hacked, you should change the passwords for both your eBay account and personal email account. Your email password should be different from your eBay password.

To find out more, read our article on changing your password.

Verifying your identity

If your eBay seller account has been upgraded to a payment account, you’ll be asked to verify your identity more often on eBay. This helps us comply with EU and UK legislation, and helps keep your personal and financial information secure.

As part of this, eBay is implementing Multi-factor Authentication, which includes additional security measures. For example, you may be required to provide a one-time passcode or enter your password when you undertake certain actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s changing?

If you have a payment account, you may be required to verify your identity with a password, one-time passcode, or other form of authentication more often when using eBay.

 
My account has been upgraded to a payment account. What is a payment account?

A payment account is a type of payment service that lets you make payouts on demand and also lets you make payments to third parties.

 
When will I be asked to verify my login details?

You’ll be asked to verify your login details at certain times on eBay, including if you haven’t signed into your account for more than 90 days, initiate a refund, update your on-file payment method, or update your email address or phone number.

 
Do I need to verify my identity every time I sign in to eBay?

No. Generally, we’ll only ask for your username and password when signing in to eBay. However, there may be times when we need to verify your identity, for example, if you haven’t signed in for more than 90 days. In this case, we’ll ask for additional information such as a one-time code sent to your trusted device.

 
I can’t log into my eBay account as I haven't updated my phone number. What should I do?

You should contact us using the number below. We’ll verify you’re the account owner and update your phone number so you can access your eBay account.

 
Is Multi-factor Authentication different from 2 Step Verification?

Yes. These types of verification are required under EU and UK law. If you switch off 2 Step Verification, you may still need to verify your identity at other times.

 

Add 2 Step Verification

Once you've switched on 2 Step Verification, each time you sign into your account you'll be able to confirm your identity via an eBay app push notification, or by entering a code we send you by SMS.

Here's how to add 2 Step Verification on the eBay app:

  1. Download the latest version of the eBay app.
  2. Sign in to your account.
  3. Go to My eBay and select Settings.
  4. Go to Signing In and then choose 2 Step Verification.
  5. Select Turn on beside eBay Verify.

Here's how to set up 2 Step Verification by SMS:

  1. Sign in to your eBay account.
  2. Go to your name in the top left-hand corner and choose Account settings from the dropdown menu.
  3. Select Personal Information.
  4. Scroll to the Security information section and select Edit next to 2 Step Verification.
  5. Select Get started next to Get a text message.
  6. Follow the on-screen prompts to add your mobile number.

If you change your mind and would like to switch 2 Step Verification off – or you'd like to change from SMS to app notifications, or vice versa – simply follow the steps above to turn off the function. We'll also send you an email to let you know when you've switched 2 Step Verification on or off.

Tip
To change your 2 Step Verification method, you'll need to follow the steps above to turn off your current selection first, and then turn on the method you'd prefer.

Add a trusted device

If you see 'Remember this device' when you sign in using 2 step verification, you can select the link to add your device as a trusted device. Next time you sign in using the trusted device, you may not be prompted for a 2 step verification,  but your account will still be secure.

Keep in mind that if you change your 2 step verification method or remove a trusted device, you’ll need to follow the steps to add the trusted device again. You can add up to 100 trusted devices to your eBay account. You can check your trusted devices at any time by visiting the Safety Centre.

Update your contact details

It's important to keep your contact information up-to-date to help us reach you quickly with any updates about your account.

If you change your address or phone number, or set up a new email address, please update your contact details as soon as possible so your account information remains correct.

Read our article on Changing your contact details for more information.

Watch out for spoof or phishing emails

Spoof or phishing emails are emails that claim to be from eBay and are sent with the intent of accessing your passwords and other sensitive information. If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from eBay, you should immediately forward the message to us at spoof@ebay.co.uk. Don't click any links in the email or open any attachments. We'll let you know that we received your email and will investigate.

Find out how to spot suspicious emails in our article on Recognising spoof emails.

Report any strange activity on your account

It's a good idea to check My eBay - opens in new window or tab and your preferences - opens in new window or tab regularly to make sure no one has accessed your account or made changes without your permission. Check your active bids and listings in My eBay - opens in new window or tab to make sure they're yours. If anything has changed without your authorisation, contact us straight away.

We'll notify you by email if a new device is used to sign in to your account that hasn't been used to access your account before. If you don't recognise the login details, contact us to let us know. You should also change your password.

If you think someone is trying to take over your account, for your protection, we may place a temporary hold on your account until we can safely return control of it to you. We can also help you remove any unauthorised fraudulent bids or listings.

Tip
Signs that your account has been taken over include seeing listings or bids that you didn't make, or noticing that your password has been changed without your knowledge. For more information, read our article on Getting help with a hacked account.

Keep your account secure by changing your password regularly, updating your contact information, and watching out for spoof emails.

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