PSA: Cannot Purchase Gift Cards without Providing Identity Documentation @ Electronic First

Abaddon on 11/12/2020 - 10:28
Last edited 11/12/2020 - 18:53 by 1 other user

After processing an order for gift cards I was emailed to let me know the order cannot be fulfilled until I:

"send us a scan or a snapshot(using a camera or phone) of any valid id, such as passport or drivers license or any document with proof of address, such as home utility bills or bank statements so that we can release your order… Old and new customers are now requested to be verified to prevent unauthorized use of accounts or hacking."

Chasing a refund now as I'm not willing to risk identity theft to save a few dollars online.

Related Stores

Electronic First

• 

  Hithere on 11/12/2020 - 11:22

  +3

  Agree 100%, what happens if they get hacked or an employee goes rogue.

  Not worth the hassles, plenty of other sites around without those ridiculous conditions.

  • 

    Abaddon on 14/12/2020 - 11:21

    Any recommendations from experience?

    Got my refund, but don't want to keep buying and refunding from various places. Tempted to just take the 3 months for $1 and then start using it sporadically via Microsoft Rewards points, as this is feeling like too much hassle.

• 

  bobbified on 11/12/2020 - 12:27

  …such as passport or drivers license or any document with proof of address, such as home utility bills or bank statements so that we can release your order…

  Chasing a refund now as I'm not willing to risk identity theft

  Why not just send them a picture of your water or electricity bill? Can't exactly do much with a bill by itself…

  • 

    Hithere on 11/12/2020 - 13:08

    Slamming is one consequence, enough detail on most utility bills for it to happen.

• 

  avoidfullprice on 11/12/2020 - 12:36

  +1

  Where are you buying the gift card from?

  Edit: ah Electronic First…

  Hmmmm suss. I would be concern if the GCs are not activated

  Good move getting a refund, OP. And thanks for the PSA

• 

  SF3 on 11/12/2020 - 12:42

  +1

  suss indeed from https://au.sitejabber.com/reviews/electronicfirst.com

  Reviews with same experience as OP, or keys already used…

• 

  pjetson on 11/12/2020 - 13:41

  Send them what they've asked for, but redact the parts that you don't want to reveal.

  • 

    hashtagbargain on 11/12/2020 - 14:01

    Chances are, they won’t accept it.

    • 

      pjetson on 11/12/2020 - 18:51

      You never know until you try.

    • 

      Jabba the Hutt on 12/12/2020 - 09:59

      When Airbnb asked for ID to confirm an account deletion, and I asked if I could partially redact the ID numbers for my security, they said "of course". Stop trying, and that won't be the answer in future.

      Although I wouldn't be providing ID at all in the OP's case.