Providing Scanned Photo ID to unknown merchants online to collect purchases?

Brooklyn99 on 27/01/2012 - 03:03
Last edited 27/01/2012 - 03:04

I have just purchased Star Wars The Old Republic Origin CD-KEY from this deal

http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/61757

I paid for the purchase via paypal. After 1 hr, I received an email from UltimateKeys requesting for a form of photo ID in order to prevent fraud?

I can understand if there is an issue with the payment and they require photo id for clarification. But even then I will only provide a scanned photo id to Paypal, definitely not to the merchant.

Is this common practice with online merchants? This makes it so easy for international criminals to steal a person's identity.

They mentioned in the email that I can remove all other details leaving only the photo and the name. If that was the case, why don't I scan them only a photo with my name? What is the point of asking for Passport, Driving Licence or student card?

I find that highly suspicious and have reported them to Paypal.

General Discussion

Comments

  • dirtybird on 27/01/2012 - 10:13
    +1

    Sounds dodgy and reporting it was the right thing to do.
    Asking for a photo and leaving just the name makes no sense at all.
    You could send them a photo of anyone and put your name on it, they wouldn't know any different.
    The guy posting the deals is probably a rep as well.
    For every decent seller of keys there are probably 10 dodgy ones trying to cash in.

  • Davo1111 on 27/01/2012 - 12:14
    +1

    I wouldn't send a copy of photo ID, ask to be refunded.

    • Brooklyn99 on 27/01/2012 - 13:31
      +1

      I did not and they have refunded the money promptly. Paypal is currently holding on to it.

      Their refund reason to Paypal was me violating their T&C because I refuse to provide them with my photo id.

      http://www.ultimatumgamekeys.com/en/TOS#TOS_Eng

      Which I must admit that it was my fault and I did not read through it before purchasing.

      Despite their T&C, I still cannot see how they can verify my payment based on a photo and a name when even Paypal have no idea what I look like.

      • Davo1111 on 28/01/2012 - 03:02
        +1

        looks like we will need to post a warning next time that domain is posted.

  • infinite on 27/01/2012 - 13:13
    +2

    It's an attempt at identity theft/fraud by the look of it.

    Don't ever hand over your details to anyone like that.

  • whiteflame on 27/01/2012 - 15:09
    +1

    only purchases that ive known requires ID over the internet by law is when you are purchasing bullion over a certain amount of money.

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