PayPal; When is too much personal information, too much!

     Today I went to add a new checking account to my paypal account. I had funds sent to me through PayPal and I wanted to withdraw them to my checking. My old checking account, that I closed  months ago, was still attached to it. When your done adding in your new checking and routing numbers, PayPal has to verify you as the owner by depositing some odd change into your checking then you key in that amount on the PayPal site and you are verified as the owner of the new checking account. Wha la! Ready for use.

     I have been a PayPal member for about 10 years. I have used it hundreds of times over that period. I have never really had a problem with it or the way they do business. Yes, they have strange limits on daily transfers that do not work well when your buying or selling big ticketed items but ,for the most part, my transactions are small enough to not invoke those strange limitations on my money.

      In the course of setting up my new Checking/Paypal  alliance today, two options popped up on my computer screen, "Get verified Immediately" tab vs. the "Wait 2-3 days" tab. Obviously, being a influenced of a microwave, fast food and I want it now world, I chose the "DO IT NOW!" option. Quickly I was on my way to being "Verified Immediately".

This is what I see next...

I have to say that I was dumbfounded. I kept looked up at my browser bar to make sure I was on PayPal's website. I couldn't believe my eyes. No it was not a phishing scam....just some corporation asking for every last bit of information to access my personal checking and savings account. Username, password and security questions.

In disbelief I open the terms and conditions tab at the bottom of the page to read their disclaimer:

Basically....If something goes south, They are not responsible nor are their affiliates, who actually do the accessing of my account.

Apparently it's becoming the normal for businesses to ask for very private information. They already have my debit card and s.s.# with my name , address and DOB, why shouldn't they have my online banking username and password with my top three security questions? Something is not quite right. I understand that if I am going to use their services I am going to have to dish out some confidential information. But, when is too much info, too much?

It was stated that my information would not be saved but if I was uncomfortable with this method I could click on the "2-3 days" tab instead. Obviously they know most of their users are not dumb enough to dish out this information. Besides, what makes PayPal corporation and it's subsidiaries so secure, that absolutely NO PERSON can access my bank account information.

I wrote them a letter telling them that little feature should be against the law. Consider taking it down or finding a better way to verify in a quicker fashion. Please don't desensitize people into thinking it's normal to give out passwords and access to this type information. Fraud, Identity theft and scamming will only get worse with this type of business conduct.

Time for something new

When I was 11, one of my moms friends came and spent a few days with us and taught me and my sister how to make quilts. We both picked out some Christmas themed fabrics and with a lot of help, made our first quilts. Every holiday season, usually around Thanksgiving ( that seems to be the longest I can hold out), I pull out my Christmas decorations and am always pleasantly surprised to see it laying in the bottom of a storage bin. Without fail I say to myself "Self, you need to make another!".

 I finally decided to take the leap this winter season and make 2. I am not at all sure how it is going to turn out. I don't even have a pattern. It is an ever evolving idea floating around in my head that will eventually morph into a little work of art.....I hope.

My Great Grandma Douglas Bought a Singer sewing machine back in 1948 to which I have recently inherited. It's a beauty and built like a horse!!! Last year, I was a little skeptical when my Grandma asked me if I wanted it. Old sewing machines were built into a cabinet-like table and end up being a piece of furniture in your house. Not easy to put in a closet somewhere when you don't need it. But I thought" What the hay, never know when I'll need one!". I have never used it until this past weekend. I was kind of in awe when I pulled it topside and turned it on. I was expecting some awefull, loud, humming noise to come out of the antique, but, it was silent. Much to my amazementt it is quiet and very sure of itself. A couple youtube editorial videos and thorough manual inspection later... I was sewing away!

Thanks Grandma for such a lovely heirloom!

Why are you blogging?

A question I found myself asking every time a friend or acquaintance would post a link to their new blogging page on Facebook or Myspace. To me, It seemed a little egotistic to think that you could have such an interesting life, that people need subscribe to your site. That they need follow your every move and hang on your published words.

Something has changed for me. I have something to share. I want to talk about the things that bring me joy. I want to share the moments that make me proud, ones that make my day. I want to give something. I want to inspire others by sharing what inspires me. I think I understand why people blog now.

I recently moved across the country to Pennsylvania. My husband works and I am at home. Getting adjusted to new surroundings, new culture and a new way of living has come surprisingly easy. I can't believe how many new things I have found that I enjoy doing, now that I have so much free time. For instance, cooking.

Occasionally, in the past, I enjoyed cooking a good meal. Maybe once a week. Baking? Two or three times a year. Looking back, I think I did it so little because, by the time I got home from work, making a mess then cleaning it up, did not appeal to me. On my days off baking and meal preparing seemed like work, not fun, especially since I am so messy in the kitchen. Now that I have so much free time, I have found that I really love to cook! I cannot believe how rewarding it is to sit down at breakfast with my husband and know that I made such a yummy breakfast. Same goes with dinners.

 I have realized that I like walking for exercise, Shooting bow and arrows, clipping coupons, managing a budget, cleaning my house, doing dishes, yard work and being a one car household. Everything but the archery part is something I would have never seen myself enjoying before.

So my blogging may vary in content. It could be anything from my latest adventure to a good recipe I found. Viva La Vida!