Amazon Seller Guide: Recent Related Account Suspension Cases
Related account suspensions are quietly one of the most common reasons why sellers get indefinitely suspended on Amazon. Whether the accusations are false or have merit, Amazon is quick to issue suspensions if their algorithms detect suspicious activity. In this blog, we discuss what activities to avoid if you do operate multiple accounts and use Amazon Sellers Lawyer case data to show real appeal strategies that have helped previous sellers get reinstated.
Amazon Multiple Seller Accounts Policy
Under Amazon’s policies, sellers are generally not permitted to use multiple accounts to sell on their platform even if they have multiple brand identities. While there are some exceptions where Amazon will grant you direct approval to using multiple accounts, for 99% of sellers operating multiple accounts comes at a risk. Amazon uses algorithms to track the activity of all of their sellers and flag what they believe is suspicious behavior. Here are some of the behaviors we know their systems are looking for:
- Multiple accounts using the same or similar email addresses
- Logging in to different accounts from the same IP or Mac address
- Using the same computer to log into multiple accounts
- Similar product inventories and inventory flat filings across separate accounts
It is important to note that this list is non-exhaustive and that Amazon does not reveal all the factors that go into detecting “related” accounts. Sellers should also be wary that these factors could create problems even if you are not operating multiple accounts – for example, using public wifi to log into your seller central could place a flag on your account.
Additionally, if Amazon flags a potential related case and one of the accounts is placed under suspension, they are likely to suspend all potentially connected accounts until the primary suspension is resolved. One thing our team has found is that it is typically easier to get the related suspension lifted on the oldest suspended account first. Amazon will occasionally also lift the suspension on other accounts after the case has been resolved for one of them.
Appealing Amazon Seller Suspensions
In the last few months, Amazon Sellers Lawyer has helped our clients get reinstatements in cases where they were operating multiple accounts and in cases where they were falsely accused of doing so. Using our escalation approach, we have resolved cases through Amazon Plans of Action (POA) appeals, escalation appeals, and pre-arbitration letters. The first step for all sellers should be identifying the validity of Amazon’s claims in order to decide what their POA will need to address.
Sellers Falsely Accused of Using Multiple Accounts
When falsely accused of related accounts, it is important to identify which factor likely led to the false flag. This could include, using the same computer as another seller, accessing your account on public wifi, or using a consultation service to register your account. After doing this, you can write a POA which identifies this reason as creating a false flag, providing supporting documentation, and acknowledging how you will avoid this situation in the future.
The Amazon Sellers Lawyer team recently resolved a case like this where a client had been falsely flagged for having multiple accounts. The key to this case was identifying that the client used an account registration which likely caused the false-flag. Our POA provided evidence of this and was enough to resolve the issue for the client.
Sellers Suspended For Using Multiple Accounts
If one of your accounts has been suspended for a non-related account reason, it is important to address the suspension on that account first before seeking other reinstatements. Your POA should specifically target the reason given for that suspension.
Our team recently helped a client who had been caught using multiple accounts and was getting nowhere with standard POA appeals and escalation appeals. When this happens, we use pre-arbitration letters to move the issue from Amazon’s enforcement team, to their legal team. This puts the pressure on higher ups at Amazon to get the issue resolved before it keeps costing them money. For the client in this case, pre-arbitration demands were enough to restore account access.
Amazon Lawyers For Seller Disputes
Our team at Amazon Sellers Lawyer has been focused exclusively on helping sellers with issues like this since 2016. We help clients with all sorts of issues from related account problems to Section 3 suspensions. If you are facing challenges like this, contact us today at 212-256-1109 or fill out our online form here.
About the Author
CJ Rosenbaum, Esq.
CJ Rosenbaum is the founding partner of Amazon Sellers Lawyer. He’s been practicing law since 1995, and since 2016 his firm has focused exclusively on Amazon sellers – issues like suspensions, intellectual property disputes, and love inventory.
CJ has written six books on Amazon seller legal issues including the Amazon Sellers’ Guide to Copyright Law. He has spoken at major industry events like the Prosper Show, Global Sources Summit, Retail Global. CJ also works with the Amazon Sellers Lawyer team to provide free content for Amazon sellers. This is available through their online blog and YouTube channel, frequently covering major Amazon updates and important topics relevant to the seller space.
Through BrandProtectionAmazon.com, the firm also supports brands in protecting their products. This gives the team the unique opportunity to learn from case wins on both sides of the fence, strengthening protection for both the sellers and brands that Rosenbaum & Segall P.C. represents.
Amazon repeatedly rejecting your Plan of Action? Amazon Sellers Lawyer handles suspension appeals and account reinstatement cases – including arbitration against Amazon when they’re withholding seller money. Contact us to discuss your situation and figure out the best path forward.