Thanks for the replies peeps; it's much appreciated.

I'm a Linux user and as such Firefox has been my goto/default browser on all my systems (PC/Mac/moby etc.)....i wouldn't touch IE with a barge-pole. Some would say i'm over-zealous regarding security etc. etc. but i don't trust anything that i connect to...the world is unfortunately full of scumbags trying to relieve you/me with our dosh; and it's not getting any better !!

I assumed (bad mistake i know) that Ebay staff monitored/helped out on here....i'm now a wiser soul.

The PayPal was/is my main concern and what you suggest is a good solution; albeit a tedious one....but better to be safe than sorry.

I'm still dubious about the "changing language/more frequent Chinese one" ....and i'm still cautious/suspicious in this matter.

In the meantime i'm gonna persevere with my NoScript/AdBlock/other addons and see if i can get "around" the "not quite working" captcha BS.

FWIW i googled and found that some users have had this captcha **bleep**e from 2014 !! ....but i'm only just now getting asked to verify.....you'd think that if a "security measure" has/had-been instigated at year x then "everyone" would get the same verification process AT THE SAME TIME !! .....stills smells fishy IMO.

Thanks once again guys.

JnS