information needed to register to bid
Washingtoniana
Posts: 278 ✭✭✭
I tried to register to bid in an auction overseas and was asked to email a scan of my Passport, Driving Licence, National Identity Card, or Bank Statement / Utility Bill, to verify my identity. I gave them the usual references to other auction companies, but they wanted this stuff, too. They said I'll see more requests for verification of identity like this in the future from other auctioneers.
The request really doesn't seem unreasonable - it's a very reputable company, and sometimes I'm surprised how much credit is extended to me without any paperwork - but I've never encountered this before. In this auction, I was debating whether to bid or not, so I'm not registering and it doesn't matter to me.
Anyone else ever get a similar request for identification when registering to bid?
Comments
Do not send that information.....that is personal and could be identity theft...What about people that do not have a passport or driver's license?? Those are critical documents and purely voluntary....DO NOT DO IT!! Cheers, RickO
Please be careful !!!
That has red flag screaming on it
If the company is reputable, I would choose the utility bill as proof.
I would report that to the cops. I got a fake warning of ARREST 2 weeks ago.
It's a scam.
I would also name the auction company here. That is FAR more info than is needed for a merchant's account.
The ...arrest...calls are going out all over.
A lot of older people are getting hooked by it.
It ...sounds... official. But is a scam.
The cops can't DO anything but they...might.. ask for the area code of the inquirer.
WAY WAY OUT OF LINE..AND PROBABLY A PHISHING SCAM !!
Oh hell... I just re-read your post.
OVERSEAS
NONONONONONONONOOOOO
Oh you know you can give all that info out to everybody. Were all honest in the world now you know.
Where is the auction company ?
RUN Forest RUN!!!!!!!
Nigeria? Never send info like that. Crooks can pose as "reputable" companies.
If they truly are a reputable auction company with valuable US coins, there probably are some US dealers attending. You need to find an agent who is going anyway.
Paypal requested the same info from me a year or so ago. (I was a small time buyer every two months or so). I declined, and they froze my account. Been living without Paypal ever since.
PayPal has never asked me for any of that.
- Bob -
MPL's - Lincolns of Color
Central Valley Roosevelts
Call them
m
Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
Tell them to call my cousin Yuriy in Ukraine.
He has all that for them.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
I'll bet PayPal ...NEVER... asked for your passport.
I've been asked for references or had phone conversations with auction houses in order to gain approval to bid. But never anything like that!
It sounds very suspicious, especially the line that you'll "see more requests for verification of identity like this in the future from other auctioneers".
I would not comply.
Lance.
@topstuf, well its debatable , but I think you would lose! Just went in and checked:
Here is the summary:
And here is how to prove your identity:
I could only capture one item on the dropdown list, there is also drivers license and Military ID as choices in addition to Passport.
I usually give them my auctioneers licence # and they stop asking questions after that.
Thanks for the comments and ideas, everyone.
I'm sure it's not a scam, and I would call if I were more interested in bidding. I've learned to follow my gut in this hobby, and this feels like a small red flag, so I'm keeping my powder dry for something else.
Isn't the key word "or"? They want a scan of a driver's license. Big deal. I've had local auction companies scan my drivers license when authorizing me to bid. If it's a reputable company, no big deal.
It's Spinks, isn't it? They are a nuisance.
https://spink.com/auctions/buying#
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")