Is this normal?

[TheColdHandedVG]

Hey everyone!

I purchased something from a supplier today. I decided that I would prefer to have this order sent to my business address instead of my home address (which is also my billing address). I have places multiple orders through this company, all sent to my billing address.

A few hours later I logged into my email to find that my account had been flagged for possible fraud. They requested that I send them my drivers license and a picture of my credit card to prove that it was really me placing the order. They also mentioned that the "likely reason" for my account being flagged was due to the distance between the billing and shipping address. In reality, the distance between these two addresses is about 10-15 miles (a 15-20 min drive). They also said that there may be other reasons why it was flagged (even though I didn't change anything else about my account) and when I asked what other reasons I was told that they could not give me any further information.

Unfortunately I do not currently have my ID and won't for a few days. This is a birthday gift and I couldn't wait to get my account cleared. I even requested that the shipping address be reverted back to what is was in my previous orders (my billing address) and they refused to without seeing my ID. I also asked if I could just send them a picture of my credit card and they refused stating that they must have the ID and I will be unable to place any further orders until they receive a picture of my ID.

So, my question is whether it is normal for a company to request for these things for just changing your shipping address? I find it just a little strange so I wanted to get some feedback.

 

[MissBlue]

yep, it is normal - maybe not "common" - but certainly normal in these days of rampant ID theft.

just like the credit card companies calling when you're on vacation to make sure it really is YOU using your card hundreds of miles from home, it is to provide us with greater security... it is a good thing - even though it's a PITA.

 

[happydave]

Yes! the online vape shop you used, has a third party credit card processing company.
that CC processing company requires the billing address match the shipping address. cases of fraud can be time consuming and costly for a CC processor.
this is totally normal.

 

[TheColdHandedVG]

Yes! the online vape shop you used, has a third party credit card processing company.
that CC processing company requires the billing address match the shipping address. cases of fraud can be time consuming and costly for a CC processor.
this is totally normal.

But I have never had this problem when changing my address on any other website, including other ecig suppliers.

 

[fridgemagnet]

Even with the mailing address being the same as the billing address, I had an order stopped by ebay as suspected fraud - so I then went direct to Dell (for a notebook) and had the order stopped there too. I had to send photocopies of my passport, and a bank statement!
So it is becoming more and more normal for intrusive security checks these days.

 

[patkin]

Wow! That would make me sooooo nervous. I get what's been said though I've never heard of it before. My thought was the transaction had been hacked by a third party trying to steal identity... I mean asking for a picture of your ID. I would want some proof of exactly who is asking for it... maybe be able to call the phone number on the site to verify it was them asking. At the very least, without that this sounds like a new opportunity for the crooks. We've been told NEVER to send this kind of info to anyone asking for it in email or even over the phone. I guess this one is okay but like I said, it would make me really nervous.

Edit: thinking further... if this is what's going to happen when asking for billing and shipping to differ, then they need to just quit offering that... just sayin... unless the customer can verify who they're sending the info to having to give ALL their identity info including their picture ID!

 

[Snowdownmypants]

thats still sketchy and really annoying

 

[Buggainok]

yep, it is normal - maybe not "common" - but certainly normal in these days of rampant ID theft.

just like the credit card companies calling when you're on vacation to make sure it really is YOU using your card hundreds of miles from home, it is to provide us with greater security... it is a good thing - even though it's a PITA.

Yes, I agree it's normal for the times we live in. I got a call from Discover because I used my card at a convenience store twice in a short time period. I used it at the pump to buy gas, and then went into the store and used it to buy milk and bread with another transaction.

They said the short time between transactions triggered alert that possibly I had dropped the card and someone picked it up.

Seems like most of the online vendors where I shop say Billing address must match Shipping address, too.

 

[GreasepaintMoose]

This is why I only deal with my local store, despite paying higher prices!
I don't trust them internets!

 

[Mutescream]

In this day and age, it's both understandable for them to ask and for you to verify just who is asking. I work in tech support for a large company, and about 5% of the people I deal with are trying to commit identity fraud (to gain access to confidential info and obtain services).

 

[aikanae1]

Wow. I can believe it but I certainly wouldn't respond, click on a link or send anything by email anymore. There's some very convincing phishing possible, including looking like it came from the proper domain. UGH. None of that proves it's you either. Your wallet may have been stolen / a database leak. That info can be sold and not used for a couple of years.

I noticed it clamped down right after that Target leak (there were a couple more right after). That was really expensive for both credit cards, banks and stores. Finally. I discovered after that, if I didn't use the same billing and payment address, my account would be placed on hold until I called my credit card or they called me. I think that instantly flags an account. The retailer never sees your credit card number, doesn't store it and can't over-ride the processing company. All they get is an authorization number, address, amount and a receipt. The store may not know why an individual charge didn't go through. They might guess, but there's a good chance they don't know.

Online tobacco RYO stores, someone told me places that sell wine, etc. use an age verification program. The first purchase requires putting in your ss# (I did it with a RYO store) with your cc# (same address rules) and it's matched to a national database. It went through smooth for me, but there were instructions if it didn't. They required ID faxed in, etc. It seemed like quite a process and the first delivery required signature and ID again.

I don't know how much all that processing costs, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that sort of thing pop up more frequently. In some ways I look forward to it and in other ways I don't. I think the weakest link is where ever there's large amounts of centralized data stored, such as processing centers. I don't know about your state, but my state has NO notification requirement if there's been a breach. Not much I can do.

Some banks have virtual cards and there's prepaid. I use an account with a low limit. A thief can't get much. I fund it as I go which is a good thing because I could probably do some real damage buying vaping supplies. I don't need a thief.

Hey everyone!

I purchased something from a supplier today. I decided that I would prefer to have this order sent to my business address instead of my home address (which is also my billing address). I have places multiple orders through this company, all sent to my billing address.

A few hours later I logged into my email to find that my account had been flagged for possible fraud. They requested that I send them my drivers license and a picture of my credit card to prove that it was really me placing the order. They also mentioned that the "likely reason" for my account being flagged was due to the distance between the billing and shipping address. In reality, the distance between these two addresses is about 10-15 miles (a 15-20 min drive). They also said that there may be other reasons why it was flagged (even though I didn't change anything else about my account) and when I asked what other reasons I was told that they could not give me any further information.

Unfortunately I do not currently have my ID and won't for a few days. This is a birthday gift and I couldn't wait to get my account cleared. I even requested that the shipping address be reverted back to what is was in my previous orders (my billing address) and they refused to without seeing my ID. I also asked if I could just send them a picture of my credit card and they refused stating that they must have the ID and I will be unable to place any further orders until they receive a picture of my ID.

So, my question is whether it is normal for a company to request for these things for just changing your shipping address? I find it just a little strange so I wanted to get some feedback.

 

[Talyon]

I don't care how many say it's normal to send a pic of your drivers licsence by email or other cyber means, DON'T DO IT.

I'd never fall for that. My business would be going elsewhere.

 

[RosaJ]

One thing is to get a phone call from your bank to verify that you've placed an order and another from a vendor sending an email asking for a copy of a drivers license.

I wouldn't do it, no way. Have you called the vendor to clarify?

 

[Bontasia]

I've ordered liquid from 4 or 5 different places and have had it shipped to my friends house every time because the mail at my apartment is very unreliable and it's never been a problem. She lives about 10 miles away. Was this order bigger than the previous ones? Mine have all been <$25.

But there are a ton of places to order your liquid, I'd go elsewhere. Especially considering you're a repeat buyer.

 

[AveryW]

Eh, I find that sketchy. My billing address is still from where I lived with my parents and my shipping address is where I live now. Which, I might add, is a good hour away from where I used to live. I've never had anything like this requested, and that's from all my different online orders, not just ecig supplies.

Sent from my GS3

 

[Taowulf]

My billing address is about 300 miles from my shipping address. Not once have I been asked for this info.

I smell something.

 

[Maestro]

My billing and shipping address are 300 miles away and not even in the same country and I've never had this. No way I'd send them anything like that. Let the credit card company know what's happened and ask them what to do.

 

[rurwin]

It's almost definitely not an attempt to steal your ID. ID thieves are far more clever.

I can't stand the way companies first send you warnings not to do this and that, and then go on to ask you to do exactly the same thing. They send you emails with links to log-in to their site. They phone you up and ask for your password. I have no doubt they'd email you to ask for a scan of your drivers license. They are that dumb.

Having said that, it would be safer to find some other way to comply than replying to an email. At least phone your CC company and ask to clear the transaction with them rather than a second or third party. It may be that you can get your alternative address cleared by them and then have a new transaction go through.

Personally I've never had any bother ordering online, although some companies refuse to ship a first order to a different address, usually subsequent orders can be directed to an alternate address.

The ways of the fraud flagging are obscure and strange. So far as I can see, my behaviour is very random with large and small transactions, often from some strange countries. Yet the only time my card has been cloned it was flagged immediately and correctly. All the guy did was to buy a suit. If it hadn't saved me a couple of hundred pounds, I'd be mildly insulted.

 

[TheColdHandedVG]

Wow! That would make me sooooo nervous. I get what's been said though I've never heard of it before. My thought was the transaction had been hacked by a third party trying to steal identity... I mean asking for a picture of your ID. I would want some proof of exactly who is asking for it... maybe be able to call the phone number on the site to verify it was them asking. At the very least, without that this sounds like a new opportunity for the crooks. We've been told NEVER to send this kind of info to anyone asking for it in email or even over the phone. I guess this one is okay but like I said, it would make me really nervous.

Edit: thinking further... if this is what's going to happen when asking for billing and shipping to differ, then they need to just quit offering that... just sayin... unless the customer can verify who they're sending the info to having to give ALL their identity info including their picture ID!

I know it was them asking because when I told them to just refund my money the order status on their website changed to "refunded". But still, my information could be used to harm me even by the people working at this supplier. I was also told that if I want to order anything from them in the future I would have to send them my CC picture and my driver's license picture.

If I told you guys who this supplier was you would .... your pants, because I bet everyone of you guys use them on a regular basis.

I am yet to receive the money back into my bank account. I am just hoping that at least goes over smoothly.

 

[TheColdHandedVG]

My billing and shipping address are 300 miles away and not even in the same country and I've never had this. No way I'd send them anything like that. Let the credit card company know what's happened and ask them what to do.

My credit card company are not the ones who flagged the transaction. My credit cards are completely cleared and I have no issues using them at all. It was the supplier themselves as far as I am aware. I will not be sending them anything, they just lost a few hundred dollars in sales and actually seemed to have no interest in keeping me as a customer. I mean they wouldn't even let me change the address back to the original one (which is what caused the problem in the first place....)