Request for Photo ID and proof of address

[RED666S]

I have been asked to provide photo ID and proof of address for my account restrictions to be lifted. However no-one at PayPal is prepared to answer my questions:

Why all of a sudden do you need this - you are not asking anyone else in my family?

My account is verified - does this mean nothing?

Can I hide my passport number when I send it over? If not why not?

Why can't I use my driving license as both - it fits the criteria for both!

Why can your call centre not answer the simple question of why you need this information*?

* called today and was rudely told to just send it as they need it and he cannot tell me why and if I dont send it I cant use PayPal.

If my bank asked for this information they would at least have the decency to tell me why.

[Temp20221223dk]

I just realized that my account was limited, from a month ago. Apparently an email was sent but looked exactly like all the payment receipt letters I receive every month and didn't see it until today. Who reads receitps?? In fact, I just logged into my account a day ago and there were no messages, warnings or holds!

However, because they limited my account, a payment was not put through to Skype, and I lost my subscription. To get it back I have to pay 3.3 times more for the same service! So I lost it. It was my emergency back up phone while travelling in North America where a cell signal was not available! Significant problem PayPal! Very disrepectful! This gaff will end up costing me a lot of money!

The reason for the "hold": They want very personal information that I simply would not give out to anyone. For instance, photo ID. I've never been asked for this, and most people are not. This seems random. The problem is that it is illegal to photocopy a passport in Canada. It is also illegal to photocopy a health card, and these are my photo IDs!

Also they want a copy of a bill from another company, which is actually none of their business! This is invasive, and does nothing to prove that I am the credit card holder of the card on file. I pay bills through PP, and they can check that anytime. PP is not offering an other alternative method for verification, which is unfair and seriously unprofessional. If they want to verify my address, they should mail me a code. I will not send photo ID over the Internet! There is no legal or logical reason for this. Terrorism? seriously? grow up! About $10 a month goes through my account, don't be absurd! That  is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in years.

So without reason, and with what seems a great deal of prejudice, I will have to part ways with this exceedingly unprofessional company! I would highly recommend to anyone considering starting a PayPal account that you seriously reconsider! This is highly unprofessional. My bank does not even ask for this information, especially photo ID, which in many cases is illegal to ask for if it requires copying. 

Seriously shameful way to treat a very long-time customer. In fact, I am so disgusted by this, I would never do business with a company asking for this anyway! Not when they do not provide alternative methods which are legal. 

They owe me a credit, but unless they become reaonable and offer a more reasonable verification, I will NEVER do busines with them again!

[mt247]

I got also this when I started to use paypal because sake of convenience because sold some items on Ebay. Now they limited my account and are asking: confirm your bank account, Photo ID, Proof of Address, Provide invoices, Provide proof of delivery, Provide more information about payments.

What should I do? I don't want to send my personal details online so is it enough that I show what items I sold on ebay and provide them proof of delivery? Also I sold digital things on Ebay so is email/ebay chat enough proof for delivery for them?

[JohnBee1]

I think it is best to make a complaint and then agree a way forward with Customer Services.

Otherwise they seem to have no discretion.

[mt247]

This is so frustrating. Few days after I start to use paypal because wanted to sell some items on Ebay to make money for new semester and got my account limited right away! Send them also messages via contact on paypal and also on @askpaypal in Twitter. Why would they want to have my ID or my bank account? Also it's frustrating because it takes so long to paypal answer any question.

[mt247]

Paypal have worst customer service I have ever encountered It's been over 2 weeks already and I can't do anything. Also only answer I got from customer service a week ago was "Hi, sorry for the delay in response. I am transferring this conversation to an account specialist. They will be with you as soon as they can. Have a great day! "

Haven't heard about them or about this account specialist since then.

[GM3]

I received the same type of message today, but mine asks for a credit card statement as well.  In fact it says this:

"To confirm you're the credit card owner, please send us a copy of your latest credit card statement that shows your name, address, and complete credit card number."

What credit card?  What credit card statement?  I was opening a merchant services account for my company.  In any other world this would sound like a perfect recipe for identity theft.  Not saying that's what it is here, but I do think this anwers my question about whether or not I want PayPal processing my credit card transactions.  I have no idea what prompted this action, and the email I got from PayPal sounded like it was addressed to a 10 year old.  And no explanation, basically just "take care of this".

So this is my first experience with PayPal.  Alrighty then.

[mt247]

Good luck with paypal customer service. I'm already 2 weeks and counting and week ago got last message that they will get me account specialist ASAP.

[RebeccaRich]

My account was restricted June's 2015. I provided them everything except phot I'd.  They are concerned with identity fraud on a site that has been hacked several times, the information The you are asking for is enough to clone my identity.  I ran a small business using PayPal, which i was no longer able to do, as all transactions had to be through PayPal.  They are holding my funds illegally.  I went through their help desk and was dealt with by a very rude gentleman who told me to give the information or my account wouldn't be permanently locked.  Many who use this have emails that are not the same as their real name, how the **bleep** can i prove it isn't me? How is that safe? Anyone could claim any account.  Photo ID is not efficient, as they do not meet me in person to verify my photo ID is me.  PayPal is committing fraud, The are locking accounts, many with money on it, and refusing to unlock, even when all requirements are met.  Where is the money going?

[VG123]

Hi!

I have been asked for photo of my official ID card or driving licence to prrof my identity.

I guess it is illagal to ask for that.

It can be exploited for generating false identities.

I just wanted to add my credit card to my Paypal account.

That is a valid credit card I use frequently and mine (issued to me, the card is officially alwasys owned by the issuer).

And tay additionally wanted some statement of the card.

I did not understand: whether my contract with the Bank or what.

Yes, I can state myself that card is valid and legal.

Do you think they thought of such a statement (of ine personally)?

I doubt it.

There is a new virus started spreading cross the World asking victims to send a photo of them holding their ID card in their hands (visually well readably).

I cannot believe it (above) can be serious of Paypal.

So I asked the message sender agent if they are from Paypal or maybe Peypal or Paydpal?

(like Adios instead of Adidas on chinees products)

Regards,

Gabor

non wanabe-

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@RED666S wrote:

I have been asked to provide photo ID and proof of address for my account restrictions to be lifted. However no-one at PayPal is prepared to answer my questions:

Why all of a sudden do you need this - you are not asking anyone else in my family?

My account is verified - does this mean nothing?

Can I hide my passport number when I send it over? If not why not?

Why can't I use my driving license as both - it fits the criteria for both!

Why can your call centre not answer the simple question of why you need this information*?

* called today and was rudely told to just send it as they need it and he cannot tell me why and if I dont send it I cant use PayPal.

If my bank asked for this information they would at least have the decency to tell me why.

---

victim

[MarkLimited]

The same has happened to me, feel like big brother is watching. I have decided not to use paypal, maybe more people should!