PayPal wants to see photo ID, SSN card, proof of address

[ana15]

I've been buying on eBay and paying with PayPal for many years, but today all my attempted transactions were refused: "We can't process your payment. Please select a different payment method or check your payment details including your billing address."

When I log into PayPal in a separate browser window, it says that federal regulations require PayPal to "collect specific information to verify your identity" and then goes on to say that I have to provide a photo ID, as if I'm giving a credit card to a store clerk in 1980. And it also asks to see my social security card and some proof of my address.

That seems very strange. How would a photo ID matter to PayPal? Can they see me? I have no camera on my computer.

Has anyone else had this experience? Or is it some kind of elaborate high-tech scam?

[Udog08]

ana15

Have you spoken with PayPal or resolved your problem yet?  Can we expect an update if or when you learn something definitive?

Thank you!

[ana15]

When I realized that the problem was the expiration date, I logged in to PayPal and entered the new expiration date and CSC number.

That seems to have fixed it. I bought a small item on eBay just to test it, and the purchase and payment were completed successfully.