I had an interesting experience today. I always surf around between the from where I purchase books, CDs, etc., and found an audio book I wanted, for $13 on eBay, that’s selling for $40-45 on other sites. Well, of course hurriedly clicked on “Buy Now,” only to be told my account had been suspended due to third-party access. I clicked “Help,” and a “Live Chat” box pops up. It took a few minutes, then a Rep came online. He told me that someone had listed laptops for sale on my account.

Now, mind you, I received several emails from an unknown “Buyer” a couple of weeks ago, demanding that I let him know if the “listing” was still good. I have only sold a couple of things on eBay, mostly books, CDs, or DVDs, and had no idea what this guy was talking about. I tried to pull up the listing by the number he provided, but no such luck. Soon after, I received an email from eBay regarding something about “a third party,“ and requesting that I change my eBay password. I did, and thought no more about it.

So, as the Rep goes on to tell me about this fraudulent sale made on my account, I’m thinking, “Wouldn’t any payments for sales made under my ID be posted to my account?” He further explained that these crooks list items on other people’s accounts, then request that the payment be sent directly to them, bypassing the normal methods of payment listed on the account.

I was shocked. No matter what security measures are taken, the criminals eventually jump one step ahead. Is there any facet of life in which we cannot be violated? If these deviants would only use that power for good. Well, as required, I had to change the password for my email address, while the Rep waited patiently. Within a few moments, my account was up and running again. Then all of a sudden I realized, my PayPal account had the same password as my email and eBay accounts. No one had to tell me that it had to be changed as well.

What did I learn today? Periodic changing of one’s passwords is absolutely necessary. Perhaps someone is snickering, but I never really considered that I could be at risk. Don’t ask me why, I just didn’t. From here on, I will be changing my passwords to everything. I am so happy that eBay was holding it down for me.

I’m going to miss that old password-- it was so easy to remember. Gone, I guess, are the good old days.