Payment method required to send messages???

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.

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.

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.

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 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!

@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.

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.

Thanks @thecarpathian The requirement to "add a credit card" is probably not the riskiest thing to do. Most of us give credit card numbers to entities like Amazon and on-line retailers almost every day. I have not heard of an identity being stolen from a credit card number, and fraudulent charges are generally easy to rectify. Of course, it is irritating that bad behavior by bad actors have caused Audiogon to believe this requirement is necessary.

I am more protective of PayPal since they have access to both a credit card and a bank account, which is why I have an auxiliary account just used for PayPal.

The roll out of this new policy of Audiogon’s was poorly implemented, IMO.

I do not disagree. Many of us have been here a long time and a proper communication would have been respectful and appreciated.

Restarted my computer and had to perform 2FA just to log in.