So confused - how can I sell stuff but keep my personal info like address and SIN private?

[erotavlas-0]

I know the best way is to sell as a business with a proper business number for taxes and a business address (which probably means registering a corporation at least provincially).

But what about as an individual if I don't want to go that far?  I only want to sell a few items, not really start a business but I have reservations about giving my personal info to buyers like home address (which is required for returns) In particular my SIN.  

My sellers account is disabled because I am missing information, and I tried setting it up again but I **bleep**ped out when it started asking me to link a bank account.  And I can't see further into the set up process, nor could I find what the remaining set up steps are from the documentation.  

Is SIN really required in the set up process?  What comes after the bank account linking?  I just want to know the steps so I can make a decision as to how to proceed (either continue as individual or register as a business)  Thanks

[brocante6]

Whether you're an individual or a business, if you don't give your information to eBay, you won't have an account.

[byto253]

Buyers do not see your SIN number, eBay has it as part of Revenue Canada requirements.  A bank account is required to get payment.  I opened a free Tangerine account for just that purpose, nothing else personal, or any ohter funds, touches that account.  

[mrdutch1001]

some sellers do use a postal box number for their shipping address...but keep in mind, if you are on the internet anyone can find you via Google, there's no hiding unless you live totally off grid with no paid utilities,no internet,no cellphone,etc...

[erotavlas-0]

I knew buyers can't see the SIN. I suppose the reason I don't want to give it to eBay is because I don't trust eBay with it considering all these data breaches that you hear about happening all the time.  

maybe using a business number is the way to go then. 

[marnotom!]

---

@erotavlas-0 wrote:

I knew buyers can't see the SIN. I suppose the reason I don't want to give it to eBay is because I don't trust eBay with it considering all these data breaches that you hear about happening all the time.  

---

Consider that Revenue Canada itself has been the subject of several data breaches.

[mrdutch1001]

"maybe using a business number is the way to go then"....eBay still requires ID, a bank account,etc..a business number does not exclude that...no matter which way you spin it, eBay is still going to have all the necessary information BEFORE you are allowed to sell...and keep in mind "new" sellers have restrictions, payment holds,etc...

[flipistics]

---

@erotavlas-0 wrote:

I knew buyers can't see the SIN. I suppose the reason I don't want to give it to eBay is because I don't trust eBay with it considering all these data breaches that you hear about happening all the time.  

maybe using a business number is the way to go then. 

---

If you decide to create a business, I'd suggest using Ownr to register it (they're owned by Royal Bank). You can create a sole proprietorship pretty cheaply, especially if you also open an RBC business bank account. There's also some perks with eBay (3 months free on a store), $10 off your first shipment with Freightcom (which I assume includes Click Ship) if you don't have an account with them, and all kinds of other perks.

Keep in mind that "business activity", meaning buying and selling things for profit whether you are a registered business or not, likely means that you'll need commerical car insurance. Insurance companies are pretty picky about that. Your home insurance may or may not allow it as well.

[recped]

---

@erotavlas-0 wrote:

I knew buyers can't see the SIN. I suppose the reason I don't want to give it to eBay is because I don't trust eBay with it considering all these data breaches that you hear about happening all the time.  

---

All what eBay data breaches? There have been two of significance, the last one was more than 10 years ago and no confidential information was impacted. In that case eBay required users to change their passwords as a precautionary measure.

The number one threat by far is getting phished, this is a weakness that affects almost all websites. If you have concerns that you cannot protect yourself from phishing scams eBay does offer 2FA and Passkeys.

https://www.ebay.ca/help/account/protecting-account/tips-keeping-ebay-account-secure?id=4872&st=3&po...

https://www.ebay.ca/help/account/protecting-account/tips-keeping-ebay-account-secure?id=4872

FYI - The CRA has been breached more times in the past couple of years than eBay has in it's 30+ year history and the hacker did get access to taxpayer information.