AnnaLaw
Postman
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2012
- Messages
- 503
This is something that is making me angry.
I have no objection to giving my DOB or even paying by credit card, but I will not, ever again, buy from a vendor who requires a scan of a passport or driving license in order to sell.
O do know somebody who has a little business making fake IDs for under-18s and I could probably buy a fake driving license, but I will not send scans of important personal documents over the internet.
As a retired IT person who did some work in security, this is handing crooks everything they need for identity theft on a plate.
If I was stupid enough to send a scan online and it was used to steal my identity I'd get no help from my bank as banks tell their customers not to do such things.
If an online vendor wants to see my passport or driving license they can come to my home with proof of their identity and I will show it to them (but not let them copy it).
I can buy alcohol and cigarettes online with no onerous requirements like this. All the big supermarkets require is somebody over 18 to sign for the goods.
Yesterday I received an email from CremeDeVape (was Cloud9) that I buy high end hardware from very rarely, telling me I'd have to send a scanned copy of my driving license or passport.
This might appear to be a simple solution for vendors but they are requiring customers to send personal documents that can be used for identity theft. It is not only possible for criminals to obtain these through hacking and malware, but also encourages phishing and fake sites to be set up by crooks solely for the purpose of obtaining these documents, and, if crooks copy the complete site, even giving full access to customer's money as well as all that is needed to steal their identity.
Banks would not indemnify customers who were caught in this way as banks tell customers never to supply those details.
Am I the only person to be worried about this? My B & M shop caters for newbies, the most advanced hardware they sell are isticks and subtanks and they sell very few eliquid flavours I like. So I rely on online vendors.
If this becomes the norm here I'll have to get everything from China. I'd rather support UK businesses but I won't put my identity at risk to do so.
I have no objection to giving my DOB or even paying by credit card, but I will not, ever again, buy from a vendor who requires a scan of a passport or driving license in order to sell.
O do know somebody who has a little business making fake IDs for under-18s and I could probably buy a fake driving license, but I will not send scans of important personal documents over the internet.
As a retired IT person who did some work in security, this is handing crooks everything they need for identity theft on a plate.
If I was stupid enough to send a scan online and it was used to steal my identity I'd get no help from my bank as banks tell their customers not to do such things.
If an online vendor wants to see my passport or driving license they can come to my home with proof of their identity and I will show it to them (but not let them copy it).
I can buy alcohol and cigarettes online with no onerous requirements like this. All the big supermarkets require is somebody over 18 to sign for the goods.
Yesterday I received an email from CremeDeVape (was Cloud9) that I buy high end hardware from very rarely, telling me I'd have to send a scanned copy of my driving license or passport.
This might appear to be a simple solution for vendors but they are requiring customers to send personal documents that can be used for identity theft. It is not only possible for criminals to obtain these through hacking and malware, but also encourages phishing and fake sites to be set up by crooks solely for the purpose of obtaining these documents, and, if crooks copy the complete site, even giving full access to customer's money as well as all that is needed to steal their identity.
Banks would not indemnify customers who were caught in this way as banks tell customers never to supply those details.
Am I the only person to be worried about this? My B & M shop caters for newbies, the most advanced hardware they sell are isticks and subtanks and they sell very few eliquid flavours I like. So I rely on online vendors.
If this becomes the norm here I'll have to get everything from China. I'd rather support UK businesses but I won't put my identity at risk to do so.
