Payment method required to send messages???


I just received the following notice when trying to respond to a message a member sent to me.  The message was about audio gear and had nothing to do with buying or selling.  Is this a new requirement?  

You must have a verified phone number and payment method to send messages.

mitch2

I am not giving Audiogon a credit card number. No way no how! They already have my PayPal email address. That's my payment and purchase method. They also have my verified phone number. But yet when I checked I got the same message as you when I did a quick check to see if could message a member.

How do we direct this thread so the Mods see it and can answer if this is legit, and if so, why is this info required??

I just tried it again and received same message, which I had cut and pasted directly from A’gon’s website when I posted this.  They have had my same phone number for most of the almost 25 years since I first signed up (Oct ‘99) and, no, I am not giving them a cc number just to keep on file, although I have paid them for things from time to time in the past such as listing fees.  I occasionally get enquiries from members who want to discuss certain gear I have owned or something I have posted.  I will miss those discussions if I am no longer allowed to send messages.

@mitch2 Said:

 I occasionally get enquiries from members who want to discuss certain gear I have owned or something I have posted.  I will miss those discussions if I am no longer allowed to send messages.

+1

I've got countless numbers of messages from Audiogon members over the years asking for help related to AC power and grounding questions.

There is a big difference, imo, using a CC to pay for a fee and having a small business have my CC number in their data files. How many times has Audiogon been hacked over the years?

Companies a lot bigger than Audiogon have been hacked and CC card numbers were among the data stolen.

@mitch2

I just checked again going onto my message page and tried to send a message to a resent Agon member I have been working with. Same message comes up.

You must have a verified phone number and payment method to send messages.

I clicked on the last username of a member in my messages and this comes up.

(I deleted the last 4 numbers of my phone number on file. Just in case this post would be deleted for posting a phone number).

 

Setup up two factor authentication (2FA)

@jea48 - I have no issue with 2FA and I have seen that message previously, but I thought it applied to buying/selling, which I haven't done here in awhile.  If that were all that is required to reinstate my ability to message then no problem, but the message that popped up obviously says something different.  BTW, it is a little unclear what they mean by "payment method".  Of course I have payment methods but I suspect it means a method we can have access to.

Hopefully this is an update error in which PM'ing was not supposed to be included in the added control(s).

From previous A'gon updates over the years my start date and address have been altered and I'm not the one who changed the address info.

 

DeKay

Message Tammy - she fixed this for me asap. 
ne sure you are logged in with your original sign-up email. 
admin@ Audiogon.com

Ok, mystery solved, I think...

I did their 2FA for my phone number by requesting a code and entering it after they texted it to me. It appears I am now able to respond to messages.

If that was the whole issue, then no problem but their communication was odd in that their message requested "a verified phone number and payment method" yet said nothing about 2FA, which was in a different message that explained the purpose was related to "buyers and sellers". Had I realized all they were asking for in order for me to message was a 2FA on my phone number, then they should have simply asked for that and I would have proceeded and never would have posted here.

Post removed 

Mitch2:

I did what you mentioned, a message came up that I was verified and PM still doesn't work.

Too sick and tired of computers right now (after dealing with Directv, Verizon & Chase this week) to FURTHER ON.

DeKay

@dekay I feel you. I get tired of all the "technology" that just makes everything harder.

It's only more difficult since A'gon 'reps' sales after a fashion, so they want to keep their side of the ledger 'clean' and above blame.  whatever 'mess' we create in transactions is not of their doing....

...and I can't say that I blame them at all....

Just so everyone knows, I was able to successfully respond to the message sent to me by @thecarpathian 

Verfying my phone number for potential 2FA purposes took care of the issue.  No payment method information was provided or necessary.

I hate 2FA.  It isn't just an audiogon thing.  Apparently I'm the only guy in the world who spends a significant amount of time away from his phone.  (this is a much broader comment that just Audiogon requiring 2FA).  I'm waiting for the time when it becomes obsolete (as all tech things do).

Jerry

I know what you mean Jerry.  It seems that every time I log into my bank my phone is in the other room.  Unfortunately, if 2FA becomes obsolete, it will probably be in favor of 3FA not 0FA!

When I woke up this morning I was logged out of A'Gon (not certain why) and when I attempted to log in I was prompted to enter the "one time code" sent to my phone.

I didn't write down the code from yesterday so I went to the phone to see if I had saved the message and there was a brand new message with a code.

I entered the code and it seems that PM'ing is now accessible.

Go figure.

 

DeKay 

When I woke up this morning I was logged out of A'Gon (not certain why) and when I attempted to log in I was prompted to enter the "one time code" sent to my phone.

@dekay 

How many numbers are in your code?

 

 

jea48:

Yesterday I received a 7 digit code (one digit too many for input to A'gon) and then after going round to the promt again I received a 6 digit code that could be entered, but it didn't work.

Later I recieved another 6 digit code (didn't work).

This morning I received a 6 digit code that worked as far as I can tell because I was able to PM Mitch.

I figure out computer stuff with trial and a lot of error (currently trying to setup a wiped iPad for my wife).

 

DeKay

Post removed 

@dekay

I received your message. But I cannot reply. This is in the reply box.

You must have a verified phone number and payment method to send messages.

On my account page it says my cell phone number is not verified. Even though yesterday when I did an Update Account it said it was accepted.

Yesterday I sent myself a message. This is what I received in my A’Gon message Dashboard.

 
test

member not found

 

Just received this same message yesterday. I guess I'm done using Audiogon's message system. They aren't getting my credit card number for this purpose.

jea48:

Did you receive the body of the PM (if so your'e still it)?

Try verifying the phone again (think I re-verified the burner).

 

DeKay

@dekay

 

Yes I did. I can receive messages. I just can’t reply back.

 

I tried re updating the cell phone number several times yesterday each time A’Gon sent me an email and a new code each time. LOL, though instead of 11 sets of 6 digit numbers they sent 12 sets of 6 digit numbers. I quit at that point... Try entering in 12 sets of 6 digit blocks of numbers.

I Will try to re verify the phone number again later. I was kind of waiting for a response from A’Gon first though. I really don’t want to piss off their AI computer any more than I have.

 

jea48:

Mine may not be working properly either as I went through the PM's I've received and did not have the option of replying to any of them (Including to TRM/The Music Room).

Got the "verified phone/pmt message".

Oh well, back to the iPad and sticking it to Verizon (who has been billing us even though we don't have a phone/#/signed contract with them).

 

DeKay

@dekay 

I just saw your message and replied - twice.  My first reply had the word “phone” which is apparently a faux pas so that one is “under review.”  In order to reply, I  had to log in using the 2FA but then everything worked fine, like always.

mitch2:

Received your "brew" reply (under moderation), but cannot reply to it (verified message again).

Guess "I'm it" for the time being and jea48 is also off the hook.

 

DeKay

 

 

 I'm waiting for the time when it becomes obsolete (as all tech things do).

LIke streaming, as I sit and play my CDs.

When I woke up this morning I was logged out of A'Gon (not certain why) and when I attempted to log in I was prompted to enter the "one time code" sent to my phone.

When I cleared my history, I was forced out and had to log back in (never happened before) but no authentication was needed. Just a press of my right index finger on the circle of my Mac (verification key) and I was back in.

My first text I received 11 sets of 6 digit codes. Try entering all of that. I did but it said invalid.

That is mighty suspect. 

I just went and sent a message to a member by looking up his name and right clicking on it and the option to message him. It went successfully without any prompt to verify my phone number or credit card number. 

If I were any members who were asked for verification of that kind, I wouldn't. Something seems to be compromised. I haven't received a reply from the member I contacted yet but so far, I'm way ahead of most members who've had problems.

All the best,
Nonoise

 

 

 

Well I just tried to update my account cell phone number so it would be verified. I got a text. SIX numbers!smiley Only one set of six numbers.

I entered the code numbers and clicked on verify. Cell phone number is verified.smiley

I then went to my message Dashboard page to see if I could send a message reply. NOPE...

You must have a verified phone number and payment method to send messages.

Well I got the phone number verified...

But hey my phone number is now verified and I have one 6 digit code now that works!yes I just hope now I won’t have to use the code when I login tomorrow.

.

I too received multiple 6-digit codes the first time I responded to the 2FA request (weird!)  and I took a guess and entered the last code in the text, which worked for me.

Post removed 

I entered my phone number and clicked my preference to not receive a 2FA request when I sign on to the page. If I navigate to the site and the site remembers my credentials, every listing I click on opens the 2FA popup (with my selected 2FA options selected and greyed out), but I am forced to click Confirm every time. It is so annoying that I now find myself avoiding Audiogon and using other sites instead. I submitted a Feature request for Audiogon to remove 2FA feature, or at least do not require me to click Confirm every time I try to open a page.  Moderators, if you see this message then please let the site developers know a 2FA  popup every time the page refreshes is annoying and a deterrent to using the site.

@gregc

Is your phone number verified? (Green circle with a white check mark in the center, right of the phone number?)

Or does a red circle with an X show to the right of your phone number? Not verified.

After you entered the phone number did you click on Update Account, at the bottom of the page?

Did 2FA send you a 6 digit code? Did you enter the 6 digit code in the box provided below your phone number?

You may have to go to the bottom of the page and click on Update Account again.

 

You have to have a verified phone number before you can disable SMS 2FA.

.

Disable SMS 2FA:

If you have a verified phone number...

Disable SMS 2FA. (Light gray dot to the left of the oval).

Go to the bottom of the page and click on Update Account.

An SMS 2FA 6 digit code will be texted to your Cell phone.

Enter the code in the rectangle box on your edit account page.

Go to the bottom of the page and click on Update Account

.

That should do it.

It worked for me. No 2FA. I can Logout, Login, No 2FA. I can clear my History, sign off my computer. Sign back on. Go to A’Gon, Login in. NO 2FA text to my phone.

I just can’t reply to a message sent to me. I can send messages to members...

.

"I just can’t reply to a message sent to me. I can send messages to members"

Same here.

 

DeKay

Just verified with Tammy that you do indeed need to put in a payment method in order to message back and forth.

@dekay 

I replied to the message you sent me the other day. Check your messages. I sent you two.

 

Jim

@jea48 ,

That, I can't say for certain as I didn't ask for specifics but I don't see why it wouldn't as that's a legitimate payment method.

@thecarpathian 

I have no problem using PayPal. All that would/could be in A’Gons data files is my Email address used for PayPal transactions.

Wow..just wow.

I feel like Capt. Quint being devoured by a land shark.

All the best,
Nonoise

jea48:

It appears that to "reply" one needs to do so via a "new" message.

I don't gather why a confirmed PMT source would be required for PM's of non sales stuff, but whatever.

I will only add a PMT source if I decide to buy/sell again.

Also didn't know that you were from the Des Moines area (or forgot).

I grew up on the South side/moved to CA in 77.

 

DeKay