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.
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.