New identity theft scam being used by online stores to get photo ID

Anonymous Coward

in security on 2016-05-17 14:01 (#1E1NW)

Several online stores are now demanding users provide photo ID and a copy of the credit card used to be scanned and sent to them so they can "verify" the payment. After placing an order and successfully entering credit card details the store then places the order on hold. The customer is then in a bind; their credit card has been debited and the transaction successfully posted and authorised but the store will not send the goods until the customer provides their photo ID and more. Some stores even have a page setting out why they 'randomly' ask for customer photo ID and a scan of their credit card. Strangely, the website information can state contradicting information when trying to explain why your photo ID is needed. For example: "But I already gave you my payment details - why do you need anything more? When you pay us your credit card or bank card payment is processed by a third party and not by x directly. Therefore, we have not seen any of your financial details or your credit card details. This is why we have to confirm whether the payment was authorized by the payment account holder or not." This is the store admitting that it sees the customer's credit card information, yet it demands a scan of the credit card and a photo ID before it will release the good for which have been paid for. Buyer beware. Do not send more information to a retailed than is required to complete a transaction. If someone is asking for your photo ID or a scan of your credit card then be prepared to challenge them as to why the additional information is required and demand that the money be refunded if they will not send the goods. The point of using a third party to process payments is to protect both parties.

fix (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2016-05-20 15:53 (#1EEJ6)

This is the store admitting that it never sees the customer's credit card information

A better solution (Score: 1)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2016-05-21 01:05 (#1EG1K)

Retailers aren't allowed (by credit card companies) to bill your card until the item has shipped. If you find a store is doing that, for ANY reason, you should contact your issuing bank, and challenge the charge. After multiple people do that, the credit card company will see the misbehavior isn't just a one-off billing mistake, and will revoke their license. The company will no long be able to accept credit card payments.

Personally, I don't buy from random websites I know nothing about... I usually find retailers via Froogle, Pricewatch, or similar trusted aggregator, which means I have someone to complain to and can at the very least get them delisted if they are dishonest.

Since this story is just one person's anecdote, with no link to a source, don't expect it to ever get published the front-page.

Re: A better solution (Score: 0)

by Anonymous Coward on 2016-06-13 15:19 (#1H1VZ)

This type of scam is all over the place now. Especially by smaller stores.

Here's one: https://support.nastydress.com/faq/faq/view?id=1162
And another: https://support.everbuying.net/faq/faq/view?id=1459
And another: http://www.gearbest.com/about/verify-payment.html

You are correct. They are not allowed to do this. Obtaining this information does not help to 'verify' an order. Which is why it looks like a scam, smells like a scam..