ISP Demanding copies of My Personal Identity and a Selfie

hamsammich on 20/09/2024 - 16:36
Last edited 20/09/2024 - 20:26 by 2 other users

So my internet provider is now telling me that I need to give them copies of my ID like my passport, drivers license etc and they also want a selfie of me sent to them.

They claim there is an issue with my DOB on my account and seems like it's something they stuffed up years back when my account was set up. Obviously, I don't see why I should have to give an internet provider copies of my identity card nor do I really trust them when it comes to data security as many large organizations stuff this up.

I've told them that I don't want to give them copies of my identity cards and why can't I just give them my DOB. They said this is the only way and if I don't hand it over, they won't be able to "verify" me despite being a customer for nearly ten years and that they won't be able to give me any customer support as a result.

Has anyone else had this happen with an ISP?

Internet

Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/09/2024 - 16:42
    +37

    Unless you got some insane deal I’d prob just change providers.

    • HardQuiz on 20/09/2024 - 16:50
      +6

      This. Just change providers.

      I’ve been changing providers every 6 months and never had to provide my ID.

      • hamsammich on 20/09/2024 - 16:51

        Any good recommendations?

        • EightImmortals on 20/09/2024 - 16:53
          +4

          ABB

          • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/09/2024 - 17:01
            +1

            @EightImmortals: +1 abb

            Previously a telstra customer for nearly 15 years. Was happy to just keep giving them business but their customer service in the last 10 years got shitter and shitter , even the live chat option was painful to deal with, the last straw was the constant nbn drop outs - surprisingly abb doesn’t have this trouble, has a better plan at less price. Unreal.

        • HeWhoKnows on 21/09/2024 - 08:45
          -1

          Go check out the comparison sites !!!

    • hamsammich on 20/09/2024 - 16:52

      It's something I've threaten them with. I was just trying to get some stuff sorted with my billing and what I'm being charged. But the customer service drones just keep going on about handing them over my ID's

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/09/2024 - 17:02
        +8

        threaten

        Bro none of them care

        Loyalty counts for nothing these days for these a-holes

      • freefall101 on 20/09/2024 - 17:46

        Churning is easy and it'll likely save you money with all the 6 month promos. Save yourself the headache and just go elsewhere.

        I used to churn all the time until I had one bad experience with an ISP, now I just stick with Superloop because I've had zero issues (and they're reasonably priced). That said, they don't offer 500/200 so likely I'll move to Launtel soon (who are well regarded and I like the daily rate thing).

      • Protractor on 20/09/2024 - 18:06
        +1

        Your threats are probably landing on a Phillpino slave who could not give a FRA about you or the company who pays them .

        • hamsammich on 22/09/2024 - 20:03

          Actually I think it's India now.

          • Protractor on 22/09/2024 - 21:23

            @hamsammich: Gave up on SAfrica? The iinet excuse back in the day was 'chasing the sun'. What deceptive di*ckheads. It was always about $$ and it delivered shite (if any) real support.

  • Twix on 20/09/2024 - 16:43
    +1

    Let me guess… TPG or iinet?

    • hamsammich on 20/09/2024 - 16:51

      You're on the right track

      • Twix on 20/09/2024 - 16:55
        +5

        Send a photo saying I want to cancel.

        Swap to a provider that doesn't ask for selfies and photo ID. Aussie BB or their cheaper sub brand Buddy Telco, Leaptel or Launtel to name a few.

    • c64 on 20/09/2024 - 18:31
      +1

      and they want to you send it as plaintext in an email?

      • Twix on 20/09/2024 - 20:22
        +1

        Yep TPG want the selfie and ID sent over email.

  • mitty on 20/09/2024 - 17:04

    Just sign up with someone else. In my experience the old provider just cuts you off anyway.

  • KaTst3R on 20/09/2024 - 17:15
    +1

    Im surprised they actually cared who is buying their service so as long someone is paying. I'll just give them a notice to cancel and move on.

    • hamsammich on 20/09/2024 - 17:20

      The whole thing is baffling. I asked them if they think I'm secretly running around and paying for month broadband for people who aren't me.

      • KaTst3R on 20/09/2024 - 17:23

        I was with TPG previously for a long time and their customer service is horrible in recent years. I moved on to More Internet and didnt look back. Cheaper and faster speed using the Commbank deal.

      • Protractor on 20/09/2024 - 18:26
        +1

        What's more baffling is a nameless stranger demanding your life's ID and yet you have no idea who they are, and more often than not are dealing with no surname and made up first name, no employee number.You only find out where they are located when you ask, but it won't be onshore ,that much is certain.

        • hamsammich on 23/09/2024 - 13:40

          True. When I speak to my ISP, they'll mumble their first name. If I ask for their surname, they'll say they can't give that due to privacy. Then if you ask for their staff ID, they'll begrudgingly give it to you or will try and change the subject to avoid handing it over.

          Crazy that they won't give their surname due to "privacy" but want you to hand over a pile of personal info and bio metric data.

          • Protractor on 23/09/2024 - 17:53

            @hamsammich: And ppl wonder why we get bombarded with spam. iinet is like a shit magnet from my experience

  • RotundPolarBear on 20/09/2024 - 17:29

    Had the same thing happen with TPG when I tried to cancel. Turns out I had entered an incorrect DOB when signing up (wrong date by a couple days). Had to send photos of ID documents before they let me cancel. Quite the hassle, but my fault I guess.

    • Protractor on 20/09/2024 - 18:04
      +4

      Yeah, and I'm SURE they deleted ALL your ID info the nano second you left them..

      This dodgy (ongoing) situation of needing to 'over' prove who you are is the reason that ACMA and the TIO should be abolished and govt intervene with real govt regulations and a proper commissioner to manage telecommunications and broadband FOR the consumer.

  • scrimshaw on 20/09/2024 - 17:36
    +1

    I had to resend my driver's license details after I accidentally applied online with a card that had the old NSW DL card number.

    But I'm more surprised that you haven't switched providers for a decade. Most providers only offer deals for new customers and you will most certainly be getting the short end of the stick if you don't switch or threaten to switch (and get a customer retention offer)

    I've never seen a telco offer discounts for being a loyal customer.

    The lazy tax can get awfully expensive nowadays.

  • hamsammich on 20/09/2024 - 17:50

    Yeah besides the occasional outage, I was always happy enough with it. Wasn't the best price but as long as it wasn't having issues, I didn't mind.

    But now they're just being shit.

  • Protractor on 20/09/2024 - 18:01

    TPG or one of their parasites downstream brands for sure. Offshore support, aka strangers drooling all over your ID and data.What could (already has) possibly go wrong?
    Do you 'coincidentally' get lots of scam calls,txts and emails, compared to your friends with different ISPs?

  • Bruceflix on 20/09/2024 - 18:25

    Never had this happen since having internet connected since the 90s. Wouldn't tolerate it either. Just go somewhere else.

  • pgcs on 21/09/2024 - 07:35

    If you haven't read the 4 point small print for TPG and brands, you need to give a month notice before leaving them or they will charge an extra month.

    • hamsammich on 21/09/2024 - 18:40

      I assumed that might be the case.

  • LFO on 21/09/2024 - 10:27

    Has anyone else had this happen with an ISP?

    Yes it did. After yonks as a customer.
    It was TPG, just in case …

    But same about some banks now. After being an existing client they ask questions and request proof about my own mortal existence ….
    Allegedly because of new government regulations.

    As always, take it or leave it.
    Plenty of fish in the ocean options out there.

  • hamsammich on 21/09/2024 - 18:45

    With the banks I could kind of understand it. But with an internet company it's ridiculous. They're literally providing a service that can be turned on and off fairly easily.

    Like you can have something worth thousands of dollars delivered to your place, the delivery drivers don't even bother asking who you are or for a signature before dropping in on your doorstep.
    But if you make a inquiry about your internet plan, you have to announce your name, address, phone number, get sent a code to your mobile and re-read it back to the operator and then if you don't provide them copies of your ID, they'll tell you they won't be able to assist you.

    • Protractor on 22/09/2024 - 09:33
      +1

      As a basic principle as citizens, we should not have to provide detail unless it's to an onshore entity and the person we are talking to/negotiating with is properly identified to us and has a valid Aust police clearance. This shit show is the result of soft c*ck TIO,ACMA <Minister & govt.

  • ATTS on 21/09/2024 - 19:48

    Did facebook do this a while back?

    I remember using a vpn and they said to confirm name and dob through picture driver license

    I wasnt comfortable with that and they deleted my account

    • hamsammich on 22/09/2024 - 19:59

      Yes. I think they did it a few years and a lot of people got stung by it and had their accounts shut down. I think there was people who needed to use alias names due to DV situations who also had their accounts shut down.

      • ATTS on 23/09/2024 - 18:12

        Thought that wqs the case

        Now with fb/meta u can change names every 60 days no problem ) no proof needed)

        Strange how they changed their policy

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