Sainsbury's card proof of ID

AJackson3

I just applied for a 0% Sainsbury's card and have now had in the post a letter saying they want 2 forms of ID posting to them. I'm really happy about sticking my passport or driving licence in the 2nd class prepaid envelope. I feel like I'd never see them again. They say it's the law but I've never done it before. I got a balance transfer card from Barclay's a few weeks ago and they never asked for anything.

It says certified copies would be acceptable. Where can I get that done? Like I say, this has never come up before.

Thanks

jonesMUFCforever

How well do you know your local bank staff or doctor's surgery?
Some will do it for you if they know you personally.

grumbler

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/document-certification-service

It's £8.75 and not all companies accept PO certification.

For about the same money you can send your document by Special Delivery with an enclosed SD envelope for sending it back.

GingerBob_3

Sainsburys are lying. It's not the law, as such.


Any CC company that demands identification should be kicked into touch immediately. Don't even respond to their request. If, or when, they chase you up tell them their onerous ID requirements are why you're not interested.

ccresm

Really... I would have thought it reasonable that a credit lender would want some proof that the person they are lending to are legitimate..have I got that wrong ?

GingerBob_3

ccresm wrote: »

Really... I would have thought it reasonable that a credit lender would want some proof that the person they are lending to are legitimate..have I got that wrong ?

Credit cards have been around for forty or more years without any such requirement. Why do they suddenly need to do this? The majority of other providers don't do it. It's actually a Bank of Ireland thing, so avoid their cards - Post Office and AA.

AJackson3

Thanks for the advice guys. I did suspect there's no law about it and they're lying. I tried to ring them but they're closed already.

Speaking to other people I've heard they don't always ask for ID which seems stranger. I'm tempted to just send back the signed contract and if they don't like I'll cancel the card.

grumbler

AJackson3 wrote: »

I did suspect there's no law about it and they're lying.

There are laws. They are vague, oblige the company to check the ID reliably and give them power to do whatever they want for this. Your choice is limited: take it or leave it.

I tried to ring them but they're closed already.

You are wasting your time.

Speaking to other people I've heard they don't always ask for ID which seems stranger.

Well, there are other ways of checking the ID, that for other people work more reliably than for you.

guesswho2000

GingerBob wrote: »

Credit cards have been around for forty or more years without any such requirement. Why do they suddenly need to do this? The majority of other providers don't do it. It's actually a Bank of Ireland thing, so avoid their cards - Post Office and AA.

Not quite true - they have to check ID, etc. somehow - if they can't do it electronically (not on electoral roll or address discrepancy, for example) then it's only reasonable that they verify ID the old fashioned way!

I agree that asking for (presumably) originals via standard post is fairly shoddy practice, though. No idea how Sainsbury's bank operates, but most will allow you to take the docs to a branch (do SB even have branches/equivalent?).

OP - I'd give them a call and ask for other options. As you say, I certainly wouldn't feel happy about putting passport, driving licence, etc. in the post!

mparter

I was accepted for a Sainsbury's Credit Card on the 29th May. I received the form to sign on the 2nd June and had no such requirement to provide any ID or copies of it.

I thought Sainsbury's Bank credit cards were provided by Lloyds/HBoS?

Incidentally, I've still not received my card, are they normally this slow?

redpete

GingerBob wrote: »

Credit cards have been around for forty or more years without any such requirement. Why do they suddenly need to do this? The majority of other providers don't do it. It's actually a Bank of Ireland thing, so avoid their cards - Post Office and AA.

I'm sure that lenders are obliged to be responsible when they extend credit, I don't know if this is enshrined in law or not but if not it will be a regulatory requirement. They need to ensure that the applicant is able to deal with credit, and part of that will be making sure they are who they say they are; in some cases this will require them to see proof of identity. Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated, loose lending is no longer allowed, there have been huge changes in the financial markets over the last few years, let alone the last 40 years. This is why lenders have to take more care. In one respect you are right, you have a choice to comply with a bank'statement requirements or not use their services.