Topic: Strange Request (Read 3413 times)

Sir Tigger KC · « **on:** 16 January 2018, 11:31:10 »

Yesterday I ordered a new ABS ECU for my BMW from this website www.autodoc.co.uk

They were very helpful via their chat function in cross referencing part numbers to ensure I was ordering the right part and I went ahead and ordered.

Today I have had an email from their office in Berlin requesting a photo of my credit card (showing only last 4 numbers) and driving licence or passport. I've checked with their UK website and they say it is standard procedure for new customers.

It seems strange to me, as I have never been asked this before. Has anyone else?

$:-\$

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #1 on:** 16 January 2018, 11:35:10 »

Nope. And I see ne reason why you should provide this info to someone your buying from.

STEMO · « **Reply #2 on:** 16 January 2018, 11:40:26 »

I guess you’ve already paid for it? Bastards have got you over a barrel now, no doubt it would look suspicious if you cancelled and the refund would take ages.
If you decide to cancel, don’t mention the war.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 January 2018, 11:48:15 »

German businesses have always been a bit backward in accepting credit card payments, but this sounds odd.

I might be inclined to speak to my card issuer, TBH. They might well agree that it's suspicious and refund you straight away.

Field Marshal Dr. Opti · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 January 2018, 12:04:09 »

How much have you given them in preparation for WW3?

.......what Kevin says seems the best approach.

henryd · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 January 2018, 12:47:17 »

This might be something to do with Euroland ID,I bought some car parts in spain last summer and they wouldnt entertain it without proof of ID

Mister Rog · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 January 2018, 12:49:17 »

"Strange request" ?

I was almost expecting it to be for some kind of sexual favour . . . . .

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 January 2018, 12:56:31 »

Quote from: Mister Rog on 16 January 2018, 12:49:17

"Strange request" ?

I was almost expecting it to be for some kind of sexual favour . . . . .

.. but he drives a BMW now, not a Marina Coupe, so unlikely, TBH.

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 January 2018, 13:07:36 »

Quote from: Kevin Wood on 16 January 2018, 12:56:31

Quote from: Mister Rog on 16 January 2018, 12:49:17
"Strange request" ?

I was almost expecting it to be for some kind of sexual favour . . . . .

.. but he drives a BMW now, not a Marina Coupe, so unlikely, TBH.

Ah those were the days!

Quote from: henryd on 16 January 2018, 12:47:17

This might be something to do with Euroland ID,I bought some car parts in spain last summer and they wouldnt entertain it without proof of ID

German efficiency?

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 January 2018, 15:15:54 »

Can you not use paypal?

Lizzie Zoom · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 January 2018, 15:55:03 »

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 16 January 2018, 11:31:10

Yesterday I ordered a new ABS ECU for my BMW from this website www.autodoc.co.uk

They were very helpful via their chat function in cross referencing part numbers to ensure I was ordering the right part and I went ahead and ordered.

Today I have had an email from their office in Berlin requesting a photo of my credit card (showing only last 4 numbers) and driving licence or passport. I've checked with their UK website and they say it is standard procedure for new customers.

It seems strange to me, as I have never been asked this before. Has anyone else? $:-\$

How do you know that email is genuine? You probably do not, and this could be a case where another party has hacked into the genuine companies email site, and is now trying to fleece you.

I would NEVER send any party who I do not know a copy of my credit card, let alone my driving licence and passport! With those documents you could easily be taken to the cleaners, or someone could use your identity for criminal activities, like allowing a person to have a bogus passport, with supporting documentation to get into the UK.

No car part or anything else online is worth the risk

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 January 2018, 16:39:48 »

Well I took the risk!

I have now had another email to say that they are now processing my order. I've checked and the correct amount has been taken from my credit card.

I suspect that Henry is right in that it's some sort of Eurozone financial regulation.

We'll see.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #12 on:** 16 January 2018, 16:53:40 »

I suppose it was that or the BMW dealer, where Vaseline is an optional extra....

Lizzie Zoom · « **Reply #13 on:** 16 January 2018, 16:54:23 »

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 16 January 2018, 16:39:48

Well I took the risk!

I have now had another email to say that they are now processing my order. I've checked and the correct amount has been taken from my credit card.

I suspect that Henry is right in that it's some sort of Eurozone financial regulation.

We'll see.

You did!

Will they now now destroy the copies of your documents?

TD · « **Reply #14 on:** 16 January 2018, 16:59:39 »

Quote from: Lizzie Zoom on 16 January 2018, 15:55:03

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 16 January 2018, 11:31:10
Yesterday I ordered a new ABS ECU for my BMW from this website www.autodoc.co.uk

They were very helpful via their chat function in cross referencing part numbers to ensure I was ordering the right part and I went ahead and ordered.

Today I have had an email from their office in Berlin requesting a photo of my credit card (showing only last 4 numbers) and driving licence or passport. I've checked with their UK website and they say it is standard procedure for new customers.

It seems strange to me, as I have never been asked this before. Has anyone else? $:-\$

How do you know that email is genuine? You probably do not, and this could be a case where another party has hacked into the genuine companies email site, and is now trying to fleece you.

I would NEVER send any party who I do not know a copy of my credit card, let alone my driving licence and passport! With those documents you could easily be taken to the cleaners, or someone could use your identity for criminal activities, like allowing a person to have a bogus passport, with supporting documentation to get into the UK.

No car part or anything else online is worth the risk

Sir Tig was asked to only show the last 4 digits on the card......not a lot you can do with that! Plus i carnt think of any card transaction Ive done over the net/phone where they havent asked for the security number

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 January 2018, 17:28:08 »

And I contacted the company, who confirmed that the email was genuine and standard procedure for new customers.

It's still a bit strange though, but maybe Ze Germans are being extra careful of us Englanders now that we've become some sort of rogue state!

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 January 2018, 18:08:25 »

Quote from: Lizzie Zoom on 16 January 2018, 16:54:23

Will they now now destroy the copies of your documents?

Doubt it. More probably been passed on to Brussels so it can be added to their list of people who work on their own cars, which is probably considered slightly subversive and likely to be subjected to future regulations.

Lizzie Zoom · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 January 2018, 18:10:16 »

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 16 January 2018, 17:28:08

And I contacted the company, who confirmed that the email was genuine and standard procedure for new customers.

It's still a bit strange though, but maybe Ze Germans are being extra careful of us Englanders now that we've become some sort of rogue state!

That's good

I would still be worried though about any commercial organisation having a copy of your driving licence and passport. Why do they need that?

As you said, a strange request!!

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 January 2018, 18:42:01 »

I sent a copy of my driving licence and the only details on there that they didn't already have are my driver number, the start and expiry date. I didn't send a copy of my passport.

Lizzie Zoom · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 January 2018, 19:34:36 »

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 16 January 2018, 18:42:01

I sent a copy of my driving licence and the only details on there that they didn't already have are my driver number, the start and expiry date. I didn't send a copy of my passport.

[/highlight]

That was the right choice!

Enceladus · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 January 2018, 16:17:12 »

I'm wondering whether the transaction ran foul of your card issuer's anti-fraud measures. Autodoc's merchant provider may have asked for additional verification as this was an out of country customer not present transaction. The required actions were then lost in translation. Perhaps you were getting the package delivered to some other address than the billing address of your card? How much was involved?

I used a credit card with Autodoc last August. The transaction says 'Autodoc ****** Berlin', was £81 and some change. The items were delivered in an Autodoc branded box.

I wasn't asked for additional ID or photo of the card etc. PayPal is also an option.

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #21 on:** 17 January 2018, 16:32:10 »

Paypal is a pretty efficient way to pay for foreign purchases.

The only thing I don't like is that, unlike Visa, it often takes 2-3 days to show up on your bank statement, which is dangerous if you have a bit more month than money $:-\$

JDX · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 January 2018, 16:50:24 »

I recently purchased a "Wiltec" battery charger from Germany.
I wasn't asked for anything additional like Passport or driving licence details. It would make me nervous providing those - I wouldn't do it.

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #23 on:** 17 January 2018, 17:14:11 »

I paid with my credit card, as I've never seen Autodoc before and the item was much cheaper than anywhere else.

If it dosn't turn up, I can get the money back from the credit card company.

Rods2 · « **Reply #24 on:** 17 January 2018, 19:31:27 »

Popular frauds are having an A. N Other card's details (lists can be bought off dark web) but not the card, your photograph shows you have it in your possession and the driving licence shows you also have the name matching driving licence. Doesn't prevent fraud if somebody steals both and uses the card before it is cancelled, but it will certainly massively reduce it.

Normal practice by the bank/company that processes the transaction is that if the card is stolen and used in a 'cardholder not present transaction' it is the goods supplier that takes the loss,

so whatever the company uses to minimize their losses you either play by their safeguarding rules or go to an alternative supplier.

Certain types of goods supplier's are targeted more than others. Basically, what is high value and popular so they can easily be sold on.

Enceladus · « **Reply #25 on:** 17 January 2018, 20:37:22 »

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 17 January 2018, 17:14:11

I paid with my credit card, as I've never seen Autodoc before and the item was much cheaper than anywhere else.

If it dosn't turn up, I can get the money back from the credit card company.

AIUI The UK credit card protection offered under UK legislation, is not infallible, and only applies to £100+ transactions.
So non-delivery for less than £100 = no refund from Visa/Mastercard.

Paypal operate their own dispute resolution under different legislation. Essentially they collect cash from you and pay the equivalent cash to the recipient. Cash transactions are subject to different rules to credit. You have less rights.

That said, I have no issue with Autodoc.

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #26 on:** 17 January 2018, 20:44:00 »

I made a Section 75 claim against my credit card company last year and found it unexpectedly quick and painless.

I know it's daft thinking like this, but it felt slightly unfair that they had to take the hit for another companies failings, when in essence all they did was lend me the money. $:-\$

Didn't stop me from taking the cash though!

News:

Author Topic: Strange Request (Read 3413 times)

STEMO