Online retail shop requesting bank statements, utility bill, driving license, passport

MalMonroe

I would have done the same as you. Why on earth would they want all that proof of ID?  I can understand a credit card company requesting it - even then I was suspicious when it happened to me - but not a retailer.

They don't deserve any business and I'd have cancelled the whole order, as you did.  I'd not feel comfortable either about sending a bunch of personal information over the internet. 

MalMonroe

born_again said:

JonMitchell said:

Good morning all
I tried to purchase an electronic item at BT Shop, paid for the item with my credit card that I have been using for over 30years.
A day after my paid order, I received an email from BT Shop requesting me to email my bank statements, utility bill, driving license and passport to them????!!! Which came as a big surprise. I called my bank immediately and their credit card department found it extremely odd that online retailers ask for such as my bank did not pick up any issue with my purchase. Was not at all comfortable in sending all these requirements that BT requested so I cancelled the order.
Was wondering if anyone had experienced this before as well?
Not sure if there is a governmental body that I can address such issues as personal data is seen by me treated like dirt when sending sensitive information as attachments via email to an email that I will never know if they are based in UK or oversea, the latter will be a big issue that possibly violate GDPR?

What was you buying?
Something that is on a contract? That would require proof of ID & address etc? Are you a customer that already has a BT land line?

That wouldn't make any difference. Doesn't matter what was being bought. Retailers don't generally want you to spill the beans about your whole life. 

I've been a BT customer for years, never had to produce any of that information, not even when I first signed up with them.

born_again

MalMonroe said:

That wouldn't make any difference. Doesn't matter what was being bought. Retailers don't generally want you to spill the beans about your whole life. 

I've been a BT customer for years, never had to produce any of that information, not even when I first signed up with them.

It would if the OP was buying a contract mobile phone or tablet.  If the credit check drew a blank on them.
BT's choice would be either decline the sale or ask for the proof of address & ID.
Even if you walk into a mobile shop to get a contract phone they will want the details if a credit check fails.

davidmcn

MalMonroe said:

I can understand a credit card company requesting it - even then I was suspicious when it happened to me - but not a retailer.

But it's a retailer offering credit. So why do you think it would be any different?

DiddyDavies

davidmcn said:

MalMonroe said:

I can understand a credit card company requesting it - even then I was suspicious when it happened to me - but not a retailer.

But it's a retailer offering credit. So why do you think it would be any different?

The OP stated that the item they were buying was paid for on their credit card and didn't make any mention of getting credit or any form of on going contract with the retailer (BT shop).

davidmcn

DiddyDavies said:

davidmcn said:

MalMonroe said:

I can understand a credit card company requesting it - even then I was suspicious when it happened to me - but not a retailer.

But it's a retailer offering credit. So why do you think it would be any different?

The OP stated that the item they were buying was paid for on their credit card and didn't make any mention of getting credit or any form of on going contract wit the retailer (BT shop).

I was assuming the other posters' suspicions (that there is in fact some sort of new credit involved in the transaction) are correct. If not then I agree it seems unusual.

Manxman_in_exile

Teapot55 said:

I’m fairly sure that reputable websites don’t have spelling errors or stray punctuation. 

I probably shouldn't ask but... 

... what's the spelling error?

JonMitchell

dinglebert said:

JonMitchell said:

Good morning all
I tried to purchase an electronic item at BT Shop, paid for the item with my credit card that I have been using for over 30years.
A day after my paid order, I received an email from BT Shop requesting me to email my bank statements, utility bill, driving license and passport to them????!!! Which came as a big surprise. I called my bank immediately and their credit card department found it extremely odd that online retailers ask for such as my bank did not pick up any issue with my purchase. Was not at all comfortable in sending all these requirements that BT requested so I cancelled the order.
Was wondering if anyone had experienced this before as well?
Not sure if there is a governmental body that I can address such issues as personal data is seen by me treated like dirt when sending sensitive information as attachments via email to an email that I will never know if they are based in UK or oversea, the latter will be a big issue that possibly violate GDPR?

You can't be violating GDPR as you are not subject to the regulations of GDPR as an individual.  If on the other hand the company sent you identifiable information to an insecure email address then they would be breaking it but thats not what is happening in this case.

It is not more about GDPR I am of concern, but why does BT shop requests sensitive personal information to purchase an item online....bemuses me

JonMitchell

Nearlyold said:

What's the email address that this request from "BT Shop" was sent from?

I am not sure if I can show the full email here but the person claimed he was a Credit Controller from
rxxxxxx.gonzaga@bt.com
Email address looks ok'ish but when I wrote back to say I am not willing to send sensitive information via email, I was replied by another so called Credit Controller with a different email address.

JonMitchell

jon81uk said:

Did you try to apply for credit? Or a mobile phone contract?
Those would need the additional ID documents.

Credit - on no, not needed. Phone contract - won't go with BT either