Done selling on eBay, they are demanding my social security number to sell

It's worse than that. eBay could provide no justification for the request for the social security number. They claimed that it was needed to verify the seller's identity but could not explain what your social security number was being verified against. They guaranteed that their site was secure against hacking (unlikely) but would not take responsibility for any financial losses to their sellers in the event they were hacked. eBay's request also does not recognize that there is no legal requirement for someone to have a social security number. They would also not guarantee that your social security number would not be sold to a third party. No other reputable merchant that I know of asks for your social security number as it is not necessary to validate identity. eBay's request for this information flies in the face of all the warnings about releasing your social security number without provable justification. Beware of giving up the most confidential piece of information you personally own.

Now that eBay has eliminated PayPal, they deposit your money in your bank account after a 3-4 day delay. American Express made a fortune playing with the float time they created between the receipt of payment and the payout. eBay's lowering of the fees related to payment is more than compensated for by the profits they will generate with the float. We can always hope that another player will enter the market place to compete with eBay. Only through competition pressure will eBay return to respecting their customers.

What? They want my social security number to verify my identity?? Really I have been with them since 2001..... I think with my 100% feedback and my years with them without any issue I have more than prove to them my identity.  Wait.... does that mean that if I sell something at a loss I would get a tax credit for my loss? This is a joke and it’s a bummer that they are asking for my social security number because I won’t. 

THAT'S WHY I LOVE CRAIGSLIST!!!!!

So, I purchase the item, I paid tax on it. After I sell on eBay for much less than I originally paid for. For 1/4 of the original price. Then, I pay tax on it again and the buyer also pays tax on it again! Not a good shopping experience!!!! Also, I want my privacy. Our SS numbers and birthdays and emails, and addresses, and everything is on 'open season" just "help yourself" and it is available for every country in the world, especially for the whole US and CHINA. And worst of all: Is there anybody to protect us?????