Crazy AliExpress ID verification process

Many of the electronic parts usedby the 18650 community are purchased through AliExpress. I recently tried to make my first purchase from them and the order was "closed" unless I complied with their ID verification process. Even though the transaction showed as "pending" on my credit card, AliExpress will not complete the transaction without the following information sent to them:

PHOTO ID
PHOTO OF BOTH SIDES OF CREDIT CARD
PHOTO OF CREDIT CARD STATEMENT
PROOF OF ADDRESS/UTILITY or CREDIT CARD BILL

I argued with two of their of customer service people that no other online sales business requires this level of "security" and that it appears to be the making of an identity theft.
Both assured me that my info was "for my security", totally secure and no risk, blah, blah, blah.

I just couldn't do it.
So I let the order be cancelled and bought stuff from Banggood. I found that BG has less selection and slightly higher prices, but its mostly the same stuff direct from China.

I believe that AliExpress is a legit company, butassembling all that personal info together in one convenient package for a cyber thief and sending it off to China made me uncomfortable. The thieves should have to do at least some of the work.

I'm curious how many of you agreed to their ID verification terms, and how long ago, any problems?

I would like to buy from AliExpress because of the larger selection of stuff, but Im not sure I ever will with that "security" policy.

I purchase items on both Alibaba and Aliexpress on a routine basis, several orders per week. Some orders are in the $3000-$4000 range. I have NEVER once been asked to provide my information. Are you sure that the request was coming from Aliexpress directly, and not the seller somehow trying to phish your information? I would be hesitant to provide any of the information they are requesting, especially photographs of your credit card.

mike said:

I purchase items on both Alibaba and Aliexpress on a routine basis, several orders per week. Some orders are in the $3000-$4000 range. I have NEVER once been asked to provide my information. Are you sure that the request was coming from Aliexpress directly, and not the seller somehow trying to phish your information? I would be hesitant to provide any of the information they are requesting, especially photographs of your credit card.

Click to expand...

How long have you been buying from them? Im guessing that you have already been "verified" because you were purchasing long before they enacted this policy. This was my first purchase.

Here is their help center web page:

http://activities.aliexpress.com/adcms/help-aliexpress-com/paymentfail.php

A google search shows that many others have encountered this. Its their policy, not a phishing scam.

Also AliPay has the same policy: https://intl.alipay.com/help/exampleKYC.htm

The funny part is that on their customer service page it says:

To ensure the safety of your personal information, please kindly remind do not submit your personal ID or card information in the form of screenshot. Thank you!

Click to expand...

"PHOTO OF BOTH SIDES OF CREDIT CARD"

With this information anyone can use your credit card for any online transaction!!!!!

Strange request!
(I think)

this is why i dont use ali, on top of a lot of the sellers not using paypal, its just ripe for scamming

think of what your bank would say if you filed for a scam, then told them that you had photo'd the both sides of your CC for the scammer.

be like trying to claim when you left your keys in your car

APD said:

mike said:

I purchase items on both Alibaba and Aliexpress on a routine basis, several orders per week. Some orders are in the $3000-$4000 range. I have NEVER once been asked to provide my information. Are you sure that the request was coming from Aliexpress directly, and not the seller somehow trying to phish your information? I would be hesitant to provide any of the information they are requesting, especially photographs of your credit card.

Click to expand...

How long have you been buying from them? Im guessing that you have already been "verified" because you were purchasing long before they enacted this policy. This was my first purchase.

Click to expand...

I started buying from both sites about one year ago, January 2016.

Hi,

I needed to purchase some items, and I submitted that info. However, I was not asked for both sides of the CC, just the front photo. Later, I checked my bank, CC, and other accounts for fraudulent activity, and there is none. I believe it is legit.

Thanks,

Paul

Is it just in some countries maybe? I'm in the US and never had to do any of this. I order quite a bit of cheap Chinesium crap from that site.

that seems strangely odd

I know plenty sites asking for it but in general most of them agree that you can cover the CIV and 4 of the numbers of the card.

With this said i do recommend to use Paypal even though Paypal in general are quite expensive. Both in the currency exchange and other stuff.

If you cannot use them you might be able to do like we do in Sweden and use something called Electronic bank card. They are virtual and I create them in my bank where i set specific date they are valid and amount of money that can be used on them. They also supply images of it.

Lastly i have 100s of orders from above and some of them 1000s of orders and i have never shown my card to anyone. Only my id card to paypal to verify that part.
And i have orders up to atleast 4500USD as most through paypal

/D