Okay, so as some of you may know, we have been having some serious issues logging into Chris’ E-Bay Account. So far whenever we go to log in to his account it says

“Welcome Half.com member. Please read important information below:

Because of the closer alignment between Half.com and eBay, you will need to review and accept the eBay User Agreement before continuing to use Half.com and eBay. Just click the Continue button and complete a couple of steps, and you’ll be able to bid and buy on eBay and Half.com.”

It then goes on to ask for  a credit card number to register with the site. This has been happening ever since our bank canceled our previous debit card due to fraudulent purchases happening with the card numbers with other bank customers.

Since this issue began, Chris has tried to contact Ebay, staying on the phone for HOURS at a time trying to fix the situation. He also has called many times to try to resolve the situation.

The problem arises because Chris has almost $200 in Ebay fees to pay (Which he is MORE THAN WILLING to pay), but he is simply not allowed to because he cannot log into his Ebay account. When he is on the phone with the company, they tell him over and over to log in to his account and pay from there.

Chris has been getting emails from the billing department at Ebay saying that if he does not pay that his account will not only be closed but they will also send the bill to collections. COLLECTIONS for a bill that he wants to pay them and has contacted them repeatedly to do.

This entire situation has gotten completely out of hand. Ebay has failed us and if this goes to collections, I don’t know what we’re going to do because a ding like that on his credit report is going to look bad for both of us.

With all the financial information coming through the wire services, identity theft is not getting the spotlight it once did. However, it is still happening, and for many Americans, is something that should be watched more closely than the financial sector of the stock market.

I’m not meaning to cause alarm, because some of you have much more to worry about in these troubling times, but here’s some tips to keep your identity safe in the mean time.

Shred all documents. I bought a cross cut paper shredder from Wal-Mart for $20…prior to that many of our personal documents would be torn into maybe 4 or 8 pieces and thrown into the trash. That was obviously not the best option.

Never EVER respond to an email asking for personal information, by now most people know this. However, there are some emails that can look particularly legitimate. For example, the IRS is looking for your information via email and you filed online. They won’t ask for personal information through an email. Call them instead to make sure.

And one little thing you can do: Cover your card number when you pay for something in a check out line. I’ve seen people try to take pictures of my credit card number, but I keep the numbers covered with my index finger and always scan it myself. At the same time, I have to trust wait staff at restaurants, perhaps I shouldn’t (recently a waitress in a Memphis restaurant was caught with a scanner that would scan and save card numbers).

Just remember this is still going on, even if your mind is elsewhere. Keep a watchful eye on your credit.