I am assuming many, if not all, use VPN to access SA? I ask because I removed my old SA account and a few weeks later, created a new account. The new profile was very close to the previous profile - almost word for word. However after waiting 3 days for the new profile/membership (standard, not paid) to be approved, I go to log in and my account has been deleted.  Actual message: "Your account has been deleted."

Hi there,

At least they're polite when they tell you to FOAD.

SA is unable to reply to you again, but  "Let me know if you need help with anything else!"  I guess they're curious to know if you need any further help, but they will not respond.  Or, Rachel was sloppy with the cut and paste.

So, I made another account. This time I adjusted the profile in a manner to remove what I thought was the offending part (determined by it being the only piece different that a previous profile which had been left standing for many years).

Are you using the same computer... Maybe it is reading your cookies.

I am using the same computer, but I clear all of my on-line data every time I exit the browser (Opera).  

SA may be capturing network data that you cannot clear.  I'm guessing that you're clearing only browser data.  But, clearing data on your end doesn't prevent the same network data from going out and being captured on SA's end and thus being identified by computer and browser.

At some point in time, I'll need to come back to the same browser. Maybe I'll try with an older computer that I can reboot between logins. Right now I am clearing the following:

OK, I tried again with a 3rd profile. This seemed to go smoothly  as long as I kept the same VPN address. As soon as I veered off, the account was flagged for suspicious activity. I am guessing that this IP address check only occurs during the period between signup and profile approval as my older (now deleted) account was around for > 5 years without and issues while loggin in from various IP addresses.  

to access SA. i only use Opera for TER. Opera sucks in my opinion, but is a necessary evil for TER. Firefox has been great for SA. Are there  any reasons I should not use Firefox? I would grateful for any feedback.

Your choice of browser is not the issue. Firefox should be fine.

After getting banned I waited a couple of months then tried paying using another existing profile that had been there and had paid before . I used IE 10 browser which I never used before and a different credit card with a different name but same address. Same PC. No VPN but I have a dynamic IP.  Immediate account deactivation and the payment did not go through. I can't figure out what sophisticated algorithm they use.