SECURITY CHECKS FOR INTERNET PURCHASES

[MBradbury]

I've just ordered a digital camera over the internet for a christmas pressie for the girlfriend. All went smoothly, entered card details, accepted etc etc

I've just had an email back from the company stating that as I want it delivered to a different address to the billing address (ie work)they need security information from me before they'll process my order. I have to fax over to them a copy of either my driving license, passport or utility bill to confirm my billing address and a copy of letter headed paper from work with telephone numbers on it. This is so they can call the main switchboard to confirm I actually work here. They won't process my order any further until I send all this information over to them.

I am in favour of cracking down on card fraud but this seems to be taking things a bit too far. I've ordered stuff from the company before, albeit over a year ago which I had delivered to home, no problem at all.

I'm having a testy day at work so am not sure if it's just me being a bit precious or is this taking the ease out of shopping on the net?

Mark

[chim_knee]

Don't take this as gospel but the only times I have had issues with on-line transactions, it's been the bank/card issuer that has been in contact. Never the merchant themselves.

I'm not sure that it's ever been over a "different address" issue though... my memory is rubbish today for some reason!

[GregE240]

I understand your frustration, but they are only doing it to protect YOU. Home / Delivery addresses differing are bound to make them ask questions, and it is silly season after all.

[Incorrigible]

Can't you just get it delivered at home when she's not there

[Bonce]

Not all companies do this, but remember that they're doing it to protect you not to piss you off - after all, it must be cutting in to their profits to have to do this, particularly if it makes them lose orders.

BTW: I ordered a camera from www.digital-cameras.com/ yesterday and it arrived at my office address this morning. No hassle!

[miniman]

IIRC you can contact your bank and have your work address added to the account as a "secondary" address so that retaillers can send stuff to places other than the account address without going through all this kind of stuff.

[schueymcfee]

You'll be amazed at the amount of fraud attempts we get, usually trying on this very thing.

I.E I'll get a card number, expiry date and billing address for Barry Smith in Manchester which all checks out and then the delivery address will be D. Shazam of Senegal. You email them and ask for confirmation but you never get a reply, and so we never process the transaction.

[hornet]

Being the paranoid soul that I am, I'd avoid giving anyone copies of any personal information like that. The
company in question might be 100% legit, but how do you know they'll dispose of your copied ID correctly? Opens up all sorts of identity theft opportunities.

Not convinced they have a right to even ask for copies like that, although my Dad had a similar experience buying a new PC (using a credit card) from a popular retail park store...they wanted a copy of his driving licence as some form of proof/security against the transaction, which he was having none of. They got quite annoyed about that as I recall.

Would this sort of thing be covered by the Consumer Credit Act?

[unrepentant]

You cannot blame the merchant as all CNP (card holder not present) transactions are at their own risk. They can check the billing address but not any other address.

[JonRB]

I've currently got a retailer wanting a home telephone number AND a mobile telephone number from me "for security purposes", despite the fact that they are receiving the money by bank transfer to their account.

I was (and still am) a little worried about the whole transaction, but they are a UK company trading on eBay, they have a very high rating + PowerSeller and their company registration number matches the company name.

>> Edited by JonRB on Tuesday 14th December 15:35

[chrisgr31]

So your card is used to buy a whole load of stuff, and it is delivered elsewhere. A month later you get the bill and complain. Retailer suddenly takes a very large hit as its their fault.

Its no wonder they want to check the information. These internet companies operate on small margins, they can't afford for goods to go missing.

I'd be pleased they are checking the information out.

[granville]

There're there to prevent the merchant, not the punter.

Merchants have no rights of redress under UK credit card rules and you'd be surprised how many genuine cardholders feign ignorance of orders actually made once their bill lands on the mat.

You should be able to reregister your address to the required delivery address by contacting your card issuer and adding the required data to your existing billing details.

Any problems, tell them you'll set Anne Robinson on them.

[JonRB]

So hold on, are people saying that credit card companies will allow you to register an additional address to a card?

eg. a permanent employee could add their employer's address to the card in order to have mail order purchases delivered to their work address?

[MBradbury]

I think from the nature of the responses it's just me being a bit precious about giving the information.

I know the security checks are for my own protection but when that actually involves me having to do anything it becomes a pain in the arse. The delivering to a different address to the billing one I can understand, but having to prove I live at the billing address when I've ordered stuff before seems a bit much.

I'll have to tow the line I guess and fax the details over but still don't feel too happy about it.

[pdV6]

Seems odd that they're checking now if they've successfully delivered to your home address before. Many companies have a "home only first order" policy. I don't suppose you're using a different credit card this time, are you?

[MBradbury]

It is a new card, as the last one ran out. But it's a debit card from the same bank account, branch, etc etc

[Nasta]

I have just tried to order a few things from Amazon, and because i want them delivered to work, (so the other half doesnt see them), they want all my card details again.
Bit of a pain, since she has my wallet.

Still, since it wont progress past that screen, I might get my dad to order the stuff.

Its all hassle, but i would rather that than a huge bill for stuff that Billy Scrote has had with my card!

[unrepentant]

Nasta said:

I have just tried to order a few things from Amazon, and because i want them delivered to work, (so the other half doesnt see them), they want all my card details again. Bit of a pain, since she has my wallet. Still, since it wont progress past that screen, I might get my dad to order the stuff. Its all hassle, but i would rather that than a huge bill for stuff that Billy Scrote has had with my card!

I have all my Amazon purchases delivered to work, card is billed to home. Never any problems, I just have a seperate billing and delivery address on their system.

Amazon have the easiest and best online systems IMHO.

[Mrs Fish]

GregE240 said:

I understand your frustration, but they are only doing it to protect YOU. Home / Delivery addresses differing are bound to make them ask questions, and it is silly season after all.

I always have stuff delivered to my works address even though the billing address is my home address, I have never had any problems...

[smp]

JonRB said:

So hold on, are people saying that credit card companies will allow you to register an additional address to a card? eg. a permanent employee could add their employer's address to the card in order to have mail order purchases delivered to their work address?

I've been with Goldfish for 7 yrs and it was on the initial application form.