BrandAlley UK requesting personal docs?!!

funkychipmunk

BrandAlley are currently having a sale on Hush Puppies - up to 60% off RRP. Brilliant I thought. I placed my order with them last night, after having to log into my account to do so, and then log into Paypal to pay for the order.

This morning I receive an email from BrandAlley thanking me for my order, however they will not send it to me until I send them a copy of either my passport or photographic ID and documented evidence/proof of my address for the last three months. I only bought a pair of shoes!! (oh and if I don't provide it they cancel the order. They will also cancel the order if they don't like the documents sent.)

What right does an internet company have to request such personal documentation? I've never heard of this before and I think it's outrageous that going through three secure sites to make the order now isn't good enough!

fluffnutter

That's odd. I'm a member of brandalley although I haven't used it for months. I've never had this. I'd be put off frankly. No pair of Hush Puppies, no matter how cheap, would make me send a copy of my passport to some random company.

Oliver14

Ask for a refund and go elsewhere

grandma247

Check the address the email came from, it could be fake.
You could try telephoning them.
If they have a snail mail address I would write and tell them you will not be sending the info they want because it is a security risk. Stress how very dissapointed you are with them too.
Can you imagine where the info would get to if you sent a photo copy of your passport?

PeteMc

I know you have said Brand Alley UK but are they based in France? This is not unusual for French online retailers but usually when it's a high value transaction (gold plated hush puppies?!!). Never heard of a UK retailer doing this.