Why do Vodafone force you to buy credit on activating the $2sim BEFORE you submit proof of ID? Too bad if your ID isnt accepted

LJulzCleo on 24/09/2020 - 22:26

I am trying to activate a $2 vodafone sim for my son.
Of course it asks for activation key, then asks "what will the sim be used for?" -either mobile, tablet or internet data.
Then straight up! They want you to buy phone credit for the sim BEFORE asking any other personal details.

It P****s me off, because it seems to me on Vodafone's behalf, it an obvious "snatch & grab your money, well get your details later" so to speak.

A requirement after that is to submit proof of ID. And it can be difficult for them to accept ID, they need to accept at least 2 forms of ID from these;

  • Drivers licence (my son doesnt have),
  • Passport (my son doesnt have, we've never been overseas),
  • Medicare number (yes he has).

So if they dont accept the ID you submitted-
TOO BAD YOU JUST PAID THEM TO BUY PHONE CREDIT FOR YOUR NOT YET ACTIVATED SIM!

And dont they just make you feel like a chump!

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Comments

  • Mechz on 24/09/2020 - 22:28

    Sooooo….just use your details instead?

  • Boioioioi on 24/09/2020 - 22:41

    Have you tried getting your money back? Nobody is making you a chump, it's all about how you handle the situation.

  • Simoneee on 24/09/2020 - 23:11

    Does it make a difference if you're going to add credit anyways? .-.

    Prevent fraud? Maybe

  • penguincat on 24/09/2020 - 23:12
    +1

    Wouldn't the activation fail and so they would return the funds in a few days?
    If they say "the money is ours for any failed activations" in their terms and conditions, I would think fair trading in your state would be interested in knowing about it.

    Take son to a Vodafone store with birth certificate/18+ card and Medicare card and inactivated sim and do it in store. They will sight ID and activate the sim card and should load the money on for you if it hasn't been returned.

    I have lived with out a drivers license or a passport it's annoying and slower when signing up to things but it is still doable. :)

    • corky on 25/09/2020 - 01:17

      Have you ever tried to sign up to telstra ? I'm in the same boat, no drivers licence or passport

      • penguincat on 25/09/2020 - 17:19

        Yep. Same post about above just replace "Vodafone store" with "Telstra store".
        I'm with Telstra currently for pre paid after signing up in store for post paid a few years ago with the same "lack" of ID.
        18+ card + Medicare card + birth certificate = 120 points of ID.

        Following link has all accepted forms of ID for Telstra.
        https://www.telstra.com.au/support/account-payment/id-check-…

        As long as you have the 1 primary identification requirement you should have enough of the secondary ones in your wallet. :)

        Just note:
        New/replacement sim cards, some plan changes and Telstra plus* store redemption will need to be done in store. Again it's all doable just slower. :)

        *limited to what the Telstra store sells.

        • corky on 27/09/2020 - 06:19

          Thanks for taking the time to reply, it's good to know there are alternatives

  • AustriaBargain on 25/09/2020 - 02:31
    +1

    I left Vodafone over one of their billing practices. They seem to be the cheapest, but sometimes cheapest isn't the best.

    • bobbified on 25/09/2020 - 09:41

      I left Vodafone over one of their billing practices

      What billing practices?
      Should I be checking my bills more carefully? I've been with them for years and haven't noticed anything dodgey so far…

      • AustriaBargain on 25/09/2020 - 14:55

        They cut off my service when I forgot to pay a bill one month. I was out on a job past midnight and needed my phone to call a taxi home. I was just so busy with work that month that I forgot my bill wasn’t automated. They could have reminded me before cutting it off. I paid off the contract instantly and ported to Telstra.

  • vikvance on 25/09/2020 - 07:52
    +2

    *Drivers licence (my son doesnt have)

    If you live in NSW, then you can get a Photo Card which is a replacement for a Drivers License for those who can't drive.

    https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-nsw-photo-c…

  • jimbobaus on 25/09/2020 - 08:01

    They don’t take the money until the end of the process.
    You need to choose the recharge and how you intend to pay. At the final step when you submit the form it then charges you from my memory.

  • bobbified on 25/09/2020 - 09:44

    Then straight up! They want you to buy phone credit for the sim BEFORE asking any other personal details.

    Would you definitely be buying credit AFTER the sim is activated?

    Perhaps, there have been too many people buying and activating their $2 sim cards to use as a "stepping stone" to port numbers between other networks to take advantage of the special offers for "new customers". LOL

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