I thought they started requiring a credit card years ago, in order to open a new bidders account- to assure the bidder was over 18. How can anyone open so many new accounts without raising a red flag??

When I got burned twice in a week by different bidders a month or so ago, I wondered why they cant require a debit account at Ebay, where the bidder deposits their choice of amounts- say, $50. Then they can bid away, and the sellers get paid right away. If they try to bid more than what is in their account, it rejects the bid.

Ebay would come out ahead, as any funds in these accounts would be held in a short term interest bearing account, with the interest going to Ebay.

It would be the end of the Non-Paying bidder.