M&S want proof of ID for additional cardholder

*Rainbow*Warrior*

Curious, just received a letter today asking me to send photocopies of passport and utility bills to prove the identity of my additional cardholder.

My husband has been an additional cardholder on this account for a very long time... possibly 20 or 30 years), so why now?

Also, I kind of think what does it matter anyway, he's an authorised user on the account, not the main cardholder, so their contract is with me, not him. I am the one liable for the debt, not him.

Basically I'm annoyed at this request coming out of the blue when he's had an additional card on my account for as long as I can remember, and possibly since I first opened the account. Has anyone else had this request?

[Deleted User]

The card is provided via HSBC, who have been rechecking IDs of customers across all their portfolios over the last year or so.

Don't take it personally.

*Rainbow*Warrior*

Thanks zx81 but I do find it odd.

I realise various bits of companies don't talk to each other but our mortgage is with HSBC so they've had his ID details within the last few years anyway!

But that's not the problem. To be honest I was half thinking it was a scam... asking me to send off ID documents when I haven't asked for anything to be changed. I could understand it if I was just adding him on to the account now, but he's been on the card for years.

And as I say, why does it even matter if the contract is with me. Surely I can add whoever I want onto the card, I don't think any other card has asked for proof of ID for an authorised user.

I appreciate your answer, though. Thank you

Silvertabby

I received this letter a couple of months ago. As I've been a M&S card holder for over 30 years, with Mr S being added as an additional card holder over 20 years ago, I just put the letter through the shredder. Haven't had another request so far.

Zero_Gravitas

Got the same thing this morning. Mrs. ZG has been an additional card holder for over 20 years...

GingerBob_3

Totally over the top requirement. More money laundering nonsense. Either ignore it or roll the letter up tightly and send it back with appropriate instructions, enclosing the card cut up into a dozen pieces. They may eventually get the message that most punters understand they're a bunch of plonkers, but I doubt it. They (HSBC) also make enough money not to give a monkeys about what their customers think.

*Rainbow*Warrior*

Thanks all. I think I will ignore it then!

meer53

*Rainbow*Warrior* wrote: »

Thanks all. I think I will ignore it then!

If you ignore it you may find your husbands (and possibly yours) card may be blocked. You may want to warn him.

*Rainbow*Warrior*

meer53 wrote: »

If you ignore it you may find your husbands (and possibly yours) card may be blocked. You may want to warn him.

I have warned him. But if it should be blocked they will just have a major complaint on their hands! They have not given me a good reason for asking for proof of his ID, and they haven't asked for proof of my ID at all. I would have thought, as the cardholder, my ID is the one that counts.

Plus neither the letter nor the FAQ leaflet warns of the possibility of cards getting blocked. In fact one of the FAQs is basically what if i don't provide the info and the answer is something like well that makes it more difficult for us to protect you against fraud. And that's all it says. So that suggests to me that it's something they would like but not something they actually need.

In any case I would still be complaining on the grounds that their contract is with ME and it's up to me who I choose to give an additional card to, because it's me who is liable for the debt.

GingerBob_3

It's something you should complain to the ICO about. This company is trying to collect valuable identification documents from people with whom they may not have any relationship with at all. That cannot be right.

meer53

*Rainbow*Warrior* wrote: »

I have warned him. But if it should be blocked they will just have a major complaint on their hands! They have not given me a good reason for asking for proof of his ID, and they haven't asked for proof of my ID at all. I would have thought, as the cardholder, my ID is the one that counts.

Plus neither the letter nor the FAQ leaflet warns of the possibility of cards getting blocked. In fact one of the FAQs is basically what if i don't provide the info and the answer is something like well that makes it more difficult for us to protect you against fraud. And that's all it says. So that suggests to me that it's something they would like but not something they actually need.

In any case I would still be complaining on the grounds that their contract is with ME and it's up to me who I choose to give an additional card to, because it's me who is liable for the debt.

They don't really need to give you a reason why they're asking. It's their card, not yours, it's their money you're spending, not yours. They probably have ID and address verification for you, and just need it for your husband. Where i work a restriction would be placed on the account (which would include both cards) until the documents are received. Up to you really, if you want to make a complaint then fine.