The steps to link your checking account on eBay
To link your checking account to eBay, you go to your Account settings, select Payments, then add your bank details through eBay's secure connection to your bank. eBay uses a service called Plaid to verify your account without storing your login credentials. The whole process takes about five minutes, and your account is usually ready to use within one business day.
You will need your routing number and account number, which you can find on a check or by logging into your bank's website. eBay will ask you to confirm small test deposits (usually under $1 each) that your bank sends back to verify ownership — this step takes two to three business days and is how eBay confirms the account is actually yours.
Key Takeaways
- Link your checking account through Account settings > Payments, using Plaid's secure connection to your bank.
- You need your routing number and account number, both visible on a check or in your bank's online portal.
- eBay sends two small test deposits to your account; you confirm the amounts to prove you own the account.
- The verification process takes two to three business days after you confirm the test deposits.
- Once linked, your account can receive seller payouts and be used as a payment method for purchases.
Where to find your routing and account numbers
Your routing number and account number appear on the bottom left of any check you have. The routing number is the first nine digits, the account number follows it. If you do not have checks, log into your bank's website or mobile app — most banks display both numbers in the Account Details or Account Information section.
Some banks hide this information behind a menu. Look for "Account Details," "Account Information," "Routing Number," or "Wire Instructions." If you cannot find it online, call your bank's customer service line; they can read both numbers to you over the phone in under a minute.
How Plaid verifies your account without your password
When you click to link your account, eBay redirects you to Plaid, a third-party service that connects to your bank. Plaid asks for your bank's name and your online banking login. It then logs in on your behalf, reads your account information, and sends it back to eBay — but Plaid does not store your password, and eBay never sees it.
This is safer than giving eBay your password directly. After Plaid confirms your account exists and matches the name on your eBay account, you return to eBay to complete the link. If Plaid cannot connect to your bank (which happens with some smaller or regional banks), eBay offers a manual option where you enter your routing and account numbers directly instead.
The test deposit verification step
After you link your account, eBay sends two small deposits to your checking account — usually between $0.01 and $0.99 each. These deposits arrive within two to three business days. Your bank will show them as coming from eBay or a related company name.
Once the deposits land, go back to your eBay Account settings under Payments and enter the two amounts you see in your bank statement. eBay checks that the amounts match, and your account is then fully verified. If you do not confirm the amounts within 30 days, the link remains unverified and you cannot use the account for payouts, though you may still be able to use it as a payment method for purchases.
What you can do once your account is linked
A linked checking account serves two purposes on eBay. First, if you sell items, eBay can deposit your earnings directly to that account instead of holding them in an eBay balance. Second, you can use it as a payment method when you buy something on eBay, similar to how you would use a debit card.
For sellers, direct deposit to a checking account usually arrives within one to two business days after a sale closes, depending on your bank. For buyers, using your linked account as a payment method works instantly at checkout. You can link multiple checking accounts if you have them, and you can remove a linked account at any time from your Payments settings.
Troubleshooting a failed connection
If Plaid cannot connect to your bank, the most common reason is that your bank's website has changed or requires extra security steps that Plaid cannot complete. Try logging into your bank's website directly first to make sure your login works and there are no alerts or security holds on your account.
If your bank login works but Plaid still fails, use eBay's manual entry option instead. Enter your routing number and account number directly, and eBay will send the test deposits as usual. If you are unsure whether your bank supports Plaid, contact your bank's customer service — they can tell you whether Plaid has access to their system.
If you see an error saying the account name does not match your eBay name, make sure the name on your checking account (the one your bank shows) matches the name on your eBay account exactly. If they differ, you may need to update one of them before linking will work.
Security and what happens to your information
eBay and Plaid use encryption to protect your account information during the connection process. Your password is never stored, and eBay only receives confirmation that the account exists and whose name it is under. After verification, eBay stores your routing and account number so it can send deposits or process payments, but this information is encrypted in eBay's system.
You can remove a linked account at any time from your Payments settings, which stops eBay from accessing it. Removing the link does not affect your bank account itself — it only disconnects eBay's access. If you believe your linked account information has been compromised, remove the link immediately and contact both eBay and your bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my account to be ready after I link it?
The link itself is instant, but verification takes two to three business days because eBay needs to send and receive the test deposits. Once you confirm the deposit amounts, your account is fully verified and ready to use for payouts or payments.
Can I link a savings account instead of a checking account?
eBay accepts both checking and savings accounts. The process is the same — you enter your routing and account number, and eBay sends test deposits. Some banks process transfers to savings accounts more slowly, so payouts may take an extra day or two.
What if I do not confirm the test deposit amounts within 30 days?
Your account remains linked but unverified. You may still be able to use it as a payment method for purchases, but you cannot receive seller payouts to an unverified account. You can confirm the amounts at any time by going back to your Payments settings.
Do I need to link a checking account to sell on eBay?
No. You can sell without linking an account — eBay will hold your earnings in your eBay balance, and you can transfer them to a bank account later or use them to buy. Linking is optional but faster if you want deposits to go directly to your bank.
Can I link the same checking account to multiple eBay accounts?
No. Each checking account can be linked to only one eBay account. If you have multiple eBay accounts, you will need separate bank accounts for each one, or you can link different accounts to different eBay profiles.