How Do You Feel about Copy of Drivers License to Collect Purchase?

dosada on 15/10/2017 - 20:01

Not long ago i purchased a keyboard/mouse combo and paid online with credit card. When i went to collect it i was informed that i have to give them a copy of my credit card and signature. I am shopping online all the time, often enough click and collect but have never been asked for a copy of my DL. I understand the number, expiry date or some details but not a copy.

I am not saying the shop will do it, but with all the details they take there would be no problem to sign up for a phone contract or apply for a loan. Am i paranoid or is this going to far?

Poll Options expired

  • 4
    Copy of license is normal
  • 65
    Copy of license is not normal
General Discussion

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Comments

  • Lil B on 15/10/2017 - 20:03
    -7

    Am i paranoid or is this going to far?

    You're too paranoid.

    • dosada on 15/10/2017 - 20:05

      So in your opinion it is OK to give a copy of your license to any store?

      • cwongtech on 15/10/2017 - 20:11

        I am not saying the shop will do it, but with all the details they take there would be no problem to sign up for a phone contract or apply for a loan

        Only big stores and I would about how they keep your data because its quite risky if they get your details stolen..

        • dosada on 15/10/2017 - 20:27

          Big shops never asked for it, JB, TGG, HN and so on are always happy to write down a few details and that's it.

        • shapers on 15/10/2017 - 20:30

          @dosada: Good guys asked me for it, took down license number etc

        • dosada on 15/10/2017 - 21:30
          +1

          @shapers:
          I meant they never asked for a copy, they do write down the number and date but that's it

    • garetz on 15/10/2017 - 20:19
      +4

      You can never be too paranoid, especially how easy it is to get your identity stolen these days.

      I dont mind providing the credit card with a signature, you can cancel that at any time, but i would never provide a license.

  • Sage on 15/10/2017 - 20:19
    +4

    They don't ask to just see your license, but for a copy?
    That seems bizarre to me.

    • dosada on 15/10/2017 - 20:26
      +1

      Yes insist on a copy, i showed them my license and he said he has to make a copy of it.

      I would maybe even understand if it was a $5000 purchase but it was a $40 item

      • eyeballz2770 on 16/10/2017 - 09:49

        Double check with the office that issues driver's licenses about the rules for retailers. I had a neighbour (we're in NSW) who knew all about this kind of stuff and I remember he got into an argument with a retailer who wanted to make a copy of his DL. He refused and I'm pretty sure he said it was against the law because they only need to sight the dl.

  • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2017 - 20:26
    +6

    A fair few places ask for a copy, I won't give it to them. Most only want to see it.

    If they don't like it I'll ask for a refund, if they refuse I do a charge back.
    Only had to do it two or three times, most places are reasonable.

    Banks are very understanding and accommodating in these situations.

  • xoom on 15/10/2017 - 20:29

    All online purchases i have made all they did was took my license number. They simply wrote the number down and got me to sign paperwork stating i picked up the goods.

  • Godric on 15/10/2017 - 20:34

    Where was this from?

    • dosada on 15/10/2017 - 21:29

      Warehouse 1

      • Godric on 15/10/2017 - 21:33

        Deffs not normal for a PC outlet, eg MSY/Umart of who'm I've purchased from, even Centrecom never asked me for ID

      • AdosHouse on 15/10/2017 - 21:42
        +1

        HAHAHA, Ah Warehouse1, that explains a few things. They will say it is for their fraud protection, but surprisingly I can't think of many other places that require that level of authentication for a low level purchase.

        • dosada on 15/10/2017 - 21:49

          Never been there before so didn't know what to expect. But i won't make the mistake again

        • AdosHouse on 15/10/2017 - 23:59

          @dosada:

          When you say, been there, did you pick up some parts from them? What address? I'm curious to know if they have a shopfront.

      • brokeunistudent on 15/10/2017 - 22:20
        +1

        Fraudhouse 1

      • billy3000 on 16/10/2017 - 19:10

        never again.. That's all I can say about warehouse 1!

  • outlander on 15/10/2017 - 22:29
    +2

    I do everything I can to get out of that, but if I can't I put a piece of tape over parts of it saying 'COPY'

    • onetwothreefour on 16/10/2017 - 06:58

      You carry tape with you?

      • outlander on 16/10/2017 - 10:41

        No but you're right, i should carry a sticker in my wallet for just such occassions

  • asianbargain on 15/10/2017 - 23:02

    That scary. Noted for the future

  • hmac on 15/10/2017 - 23:03
    +1

    give them a copy of my credit card and signature

    Did they ask for a copy of your licence or credit card? Please make up your mind

    • dosada on 16/10/2017 - 01:05

      Apologies, license

  • bobbified on 15/10/2017 - 23:17

    I've had a few places take copies of my driver's licence and I didnt protest at the fact that they did. Usually when signing up for phone contracts, taking a vehicle for test drives or hiring a car.

    Some other places have asked to sight it for identification purposes and I don't have a problem with that either.

    Taking copies of it seems to be common practice (not sure if it's a requirement for legal purposes) for phone contracts and that seems to be accepted by everyone. The retailer selling the phone keeps a copy for their records. There's no guarantee that that retailer will keep the copy safe. Has anyone ever been able to get a phone contract when they've refused to allow a copy to be taken?

    How does everyone choose/decide what's an acceptable situation for a copy to be taken and when it's not acceptable? I tend to make a judgment at the time and weigh up whether I think they really require it or not (obviously I won't and can't always be right - I just haven't had any problems so far).

  • Strahany on 16/10/2017 - 01:13

    Handing the information over at someone like a telco is fine since they need to run credit checks and thus require this information (plus the recent additions of anti terror laws surrounding the accessibility of even prepaid nowadays). Typically, these places have secure systems set in place due to the fact that they handle a large volume of ID's and would be a target for those wanting to scrape information for fraud.
    Someone like a retail store doesn't need this info. I understand that they want a signature, and writing down your drivers license number proves that they cited the ID if there was ever a shifty customer trying to claim they never picked up their item. However, something as simple as taking the time to have the customer sign the pick up form with an acceptable to match to their license would be sufficient.

    Whenever I pick something up, I allow them to write my license number down on the form, and then when they hand it over to me to sign, I alter the numbers (e.g change a 6 or 9 to an 8) when they're not paying attention. Paranoid? A little. But I've seen first hand what can be done and minimising risk isn't stupid.

    • hmac on 16/10/2017 - 01:24

      I alter the numbers (e.g change a 6 or 9 to an 8) when they're not paying attention

      Is this not fraud though?

  • thord on 16/10/2017 - 11:59

    This is probably to combat people scamming businesses.

    An easy scam I can think of:

    1. Order a product online
    2. Go in with confirmation paper/email
    3. Take product home
    4. Return the next day, claim you want your product and never picked it up the day before
    5. Store has no proof they gave it to the right person.
    • dosada on 16/10/2017 - 12:13

      I understand what you say but i still believe that some details would do and not a whole copy of the license. Who is to say that store employees are that trustworthy?

    • mattyman on 16/10/2017 - 12:35

      Couldn't they just take your photo?

  • azonki on 16/10/2017 - 12:01

    Online fraud is rife. It has cost me many hundreds of dollars.
    A buyer uses a fake/stolen/duplicated credit card online and either picks up the goods or arranges delivery to an address that is often next to an open public area - easy to watch the house and grab the goods when they arrive.
    When the bank finally discovers the card was used illegally, the funds are reversed from the sellers account. It has taken over a month for this to happen.
    If the seller is able to provide proof of identity by means of DL, credit card copy with signature, etc, the funds may be returned after an investigation by the bank.
    If identity cannot be provided, it's kiss your money good-bye.
    The seller has absolutely no recourse.

    • Aussie Smurfette on 16/10/2017 - 12:23
      +1

      The buyer doesn't even have to use a stolen credit card, they can use their own and say it was used without their use, I had this happen to me.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2017 - 17:41

    From my understanding it's a paypal thing to stop charge backs.

  • billy3000 on 16/10/2017 - 19:11

    they keep asking for my licence at my local Woolworths when I click and collect.. I always refuse.

    • xoom on 16/10/2017 - 22:06

      The few times i click and collect at woolies they ask for my license but all they do is take the number down. They do not photocopy it. Granted that one time i bought alcohol i needed to prove i was of legal age.

      When i signed up for my mobile plan once with optus. The other with virgin. And a data sim from telstra they photocopied my license.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2017 - 21:59

    Can't you just say you don't have a licence if they ask for it?

    • xoom on 16/10/2017 - 22:08

      Doubt it had to be a license but likely any government issued id with full name and address will do.

      • eyeballz2770 on 17/10/2017 - 10:57

        I've used a Medicare card when I didn't have a license. I got a Proof of Age card years ago and never renewed it; it has never been refused as ID.

        • xoom on 17/10/2017 - 12:36
          +1

          My license is expired and they still accept it.

  • SirFlibbled on 17/10/2017 - 13:35
    +2

    If they aren't using the drivers licence number to "verify the identity of the individual for the purposes of the organisation’s activities or functions" then it's a breach of APP 9.2 of the Australian Privacy Principles.

    Photocopying a licence is a 'use' of the government issued identifier (ie DL number) in this case.

    I would be hard to argue that copying of a DL is part of a verification process, rather they're doing it to refer to the police if fraud has occurred. The problem is there isn't a suitable exemption under the APPs for this to occur. For example, another example is where "the organisation reasonably believes that the use or disclosure of the identifier is reasonably necessary for one or more enforcement related activities conducted by, or on behalf of, an enforcement body". But my reading of this requires there to be an active investigation, not simply a 'just in case' type scenario.

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