Are online sellers allowed to request a copy of your ID before approving a credit card transaction?

Question

I have read that many/most VISA/Mastercard merchant agreements prohibit merchants from requesting and/or recording additional ID from customers as a condition of sale, but I have frequently been asked to fax copies of my passport or other identification as well as a copy of the credit card itself to online vendors.

I am concerned about anonymous vendors having this sort of information in their possession - credit card information PLUS identification. Even if they have no malicious intent themselves, how can I be sure that they are safely deleting (or storing) my personal information?

Answer 1

The information with regards to the merchant requesting and storing additional information from a sale is listed here on the VISA site (regarding PCI compliancy and CISP)
http://usa.visa.com/business/accepting_visa/ops_risk_management/cisp.html

In general, you are allowed to ask for ID when you are face to face (card present transaction) and the signature on the card is either illegible, or non-existant (in which case you are required to have them sign it after verification of ID - and if they won't, you need not accept the sale).

For unique merchants like Alcohol - state laws drive this and superseed the V/MC rules and regs.

The methods for reducing fraud when the transaction is NOT FACE TO FACE (or in industry jargon - card not present) are AVS (Address Verification) and CVV2 (the 3 digit number on the back of the card). In the case that either does not match - the merchant is at risk to ship the product. They are allowed to get the Card info, billing address (this is the AVS match), the shipping address (if different), contact info - telephone email - and your IP address.

From a consumer's standpoint - I would NEVER send any additional information under ANY circumstances (outside of tabacco/alcohol/firearms).

Answer 2

No one here is going to be able to tell you why you cannot use your mothers card online. Could be what you are doing is triggering some fraud prevention measures and they have frozen the card. Thing is, unless you are a joint user on your mothers card, you cannot call and inquire about this. When you say you called already but they didn't have any viable answers for you, I have to question whether you even called. I had an incident the other day where my card was frozen because I purchased something that costs more than I normally spend. When I went to use the card at Walmart, it kept getting declined. I knew I had enough money on there... so, I went and called the 800# on the back (I couldn't even do a balance inquiry at the ATM in Walmart!) and they told me what was going on. That the large purchase I made triggered the fraud dept to put a freeze on my card until I informed them that I did indeed purchase this large item. After that, they unfroze it and all is well, I was able to make the purchase at Walmart. The bank should know why it is being declined. If you have used these sites before, there is something more going on. Have your mother call her card issuer, since it is HER card.

Answer 3

I agree with you concern. I would never fax a copy of my ID just to complete a transaction. If the site is legit, then they would not need that. I would recommend paying at sites that let you utilize PayPal, which is linked to your credit card or checking account. It's a third party that sends the funds to the seller and you don't exchange your personal info.

I would contact the Better Business Bureau and your credit card company with these concerns. I have never been asked to do this and I shop online often, at major sites like Amazon and also through some smaller ones.

Answer 4

Never ever fax copies of your Credit or debit cards. Your card could and most likely will be comprised this way. They do this so they can get the 3 digits on the back of the card. Then they will go wild with a shopping spree.

I would never fax my id. Do to identity theft

If ordering an adult item. They maybe allowed to asked for your drivers license number(not your social security number) but this is iffy as well.

I would not trust places on the web that ask for id or copies of documents.

Answer 5

Personally I wouldn't deal with any vendors that asked for my id online... that's why you have a 3 digit pin on the back of your credit card. Your credit card company should deal with the rest for payment.

Answer 6

Be careful about giving any information about yourself.It's really easy for people to find your SSC number or your credit card number.

Answer 7

If you are ordering alcohol or tobacco products they must comply with the laws of the state in which they do business. That means, a photo ID for items that cannot be sold to minors.