Is This Abuse Bad Enough To Report?

[mrs_overall]

Back in May I sold a top on Ebay. After a week I sent the buyer a polite reminder to pay and heard nothing. I then filed an unpaid item report which was dealt with and the matter is now closed. This particular "buyer" has 10 feedbacks which all say the same thing - no payment, no communication, time waster etc.
Out of the blue, three months after the event I have started receiving nasty messages from this person. They are all in the same vein and the latest one (this morning) said "Eff off you sad lying bitch. I hope you die a very slow death."
I have reported this person to Ebay but they will not suspend/ban her.
Is this type of abuse serious enough to report to the police?
(I have done some checking up and the address linked to her Ebay account is a bogus one).

[Dee Sa]

dear Mrs O if someone threatened to burn my house down I would be at the police station straight away[ after checking my house insurance !] imagine if she has also threatened the older lady too. Please name & shame this nasty person she deserves it.
Surely when you have that all important police reference number the E Bay will have to act ? I hope so. You don't deserve all this hassle.

[naomi24]

Yes, Mrs O, it is bad enough to report. Never forget, there are more out than in. ;o)

[netibiza]

Isn't this harassament, and is an offence as such.

[SlackAlice]

Yes I'd report it and give Ebay the Crime no. Ask for Ebays comments and make sure you tell them that in your opinion Ebay is condoning the harassment because of their failure to do anything. Can you leave further feedback, leaving others in no doubt of threatening behaviour and harassment?

How did you get the threatening messages, did you keep copies or print them out?

[Keith Watkin]

If you receive messages by email can I suggest you install incredimail where there is provision for bouncing back emails so it appears you email address is invalid. (Incredimail is free.)

[flump1]

Yes indeed Mrs O, it is bad enough to report, maybe this nasty person will listen to the law. You may find there are other reports regarding the same user. Don't let the bugger get you down, nip this in the bud. xx

[mrs.chappie]

I'd definitely report it to the police too, Mrs. O, and I think it's disgusting that eBay haven't banned this person.

Threats on your life or property should be taken seriously, even if it is just internet bravado (and we know there's a lot of that goes on).

Evian, if you select to accept payment by cheque on your listing, your address shows up on the eBay invoice that the buyer receives.

[237SJ]

I'd try ebay once more and if it doesn't stop, then I'd report it to the police. They are probably breaking the law under the Malicious Communications Act

[mrs_overall]

I am not prepared to give this users name as my user name is on her feedback profile and I don't want my ebay account identifying on here. Sorry

[baza]

as the obtaining of goods without payment is fraud I would suggest a word with the old bill might be a good option. Once you have a crime number then go back to ebay .

[Alston]

237SJ....You have said...."Probably breaking the law"...Whereas I would contend that the person concerned IS Breaking the law under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act :-

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/27/section/1

Al.

[mrs_overall]

Good link - thanks

[boxtops]

It's very easy on eBay for a buyer to find out the address of the seller - either they get it directly when you send them the invoice at the end of the auction, or you can forage about in the site for a member's contact details. it's not as closed as some people seem to think it is.

[boxtops]

...and yes Mrs O - police.

[mrs_overall]

Boxy, as I said earlier I will give Ebay a few days to see if they take any action, and then may have a wander down to the plod shop. Thanks.

[ummmm]

You can get a crime reference number over the phone which might make ebay act quicker.

[DJHawkes]

her paypal account can't be bogus or she wouldn;t be able to add a payment method. Have a look at it and if the address does not match her ebay account she is also operatiung fraudulantly