Back Market Trade-In: Requested Info

PlatinumChaos

Hi there.

I recently bought a refurbished iPad from Back Market and sent in an old iPad for trade-in. Everything’s been going fine, but I’ve just received an email from them asking for my banking info, birthdate, and driver’s license number (or the last 4 digits of my SSN) before they can process the payment for the old device. Is this normal? Firstly, not everyone has a driver’s license (or even a “driving licence” as we call them in the UK), and we don’t have a social security number in the UK (assuming that’s what SSN stands for). Has anyone else been asked for this information from Back Market, and if so, what info have you given them? It just sounds a bit strange to me. Thanks

Woodstok2000

What banking info have they requested?

It appears they offer PayPal payment too if you're concerned.

TadleyBaggie

This doesn't appear to be normal behaviour. As you rightly surmise, SSN stands for Social Security Number, i.e. a US thing. This has all the hallmarks of a phishing attempt.

Are you sure the email does really originate from a Back Market address?

PlatinumChaos

Thanks for your feedback. The email does look perfectly legitimate as it has the Back Market sender's address and includes all details about my order that have been specified in previous emails. Looking back at the original order confirmation, it gave instructions about what to do for the trade-in payment process to be completed, which included just date of birth and payment details. I ignored the link in this most recent email and instead went straight to Back Market's official UK website, where I could log in and view all my order details, as well as the state of progress of the device I'm trading in. Again, all they needed from me for them to make the payment to me was DOB (apparently, you need to be over 18) as well as my sort code and account number (otherwise, how else would they be able to pay me?). I think the stuff about "driver's license" and SSN details must have been a mistake, as the US version of Back Market might ask for this information.

Anyway, I've ignored any links and done it through the official UK website, where my account had details about all my previous orders with Back Market as well as the trade-in device, so I'm now satisfied that it's legit.