Hi,
I'm looking at buying some Computer/Audio gear from B & H Photo Video. I live in New Zealand, which, for consumers, is an awful country to live in as our isolation breeds heavily inflated prices.
Anyway... the site looks fine, it has all those emblems at the bottom which are supposed to make me believe that it's safe, however, when I was looking for information regarding their International Shipping policy, I came across this:
International Orders
If you are a first time "mail order or on-line" customer, or if you are using a new or different credit card for the first time at B&H, upon completing your on-line order, you must fax or e-mail a copy of both sides of your credit card to 212-239-7549. Our Email address is verification@bhphotovideo.com, (Does NOT apply to customers from Canada).
Please include the invoice number (that you will get when completing your order) along with the copy of your card. Your card will be charged & the merchandise committed upon submission of your order
If you have previously ordered online or by phone/fax with this credit card and it is already on file, no fax is required. (Note: If you have ordered before, the only way the web site system can recognize you as a repeat customer is if you use exactly the same name, address and phone number information. Any variation will cause the web site to conclude that you're a first time customer and hold the order pending receipt of the fax.)
Should I be worried about this? It seems incredibly dangerous to fax a detailed picture of both sides of your credit card to an anonymous person in a foreign company. Why is it that a company like this would require a scan of your credit card whereas Amazon.com only requires your CC#, Expiry Date and the 3-digit number on the back?
Am I just being paranoid, or is this common practice?
Cheers
Tim.
I'm looking at buying some Computer/Audio gear from B & H Photo Video. I live in New Zealand, which, for consumers, is an awful country to live in as our isolation breeds heavily inflated prices.
Anyway... the site looks fine, it has all those emblems at the bottom which are supposed to make me believe that it's safe, however, when I was looking for information regarding their International Shipping policy, I came across this:
International Orders
If you are a first time "mail order or on-line" customer, or if you are using a new or different credit card for the first time at B&H, upon completing your on-line order, you must fax or e-mail a copy of both sides of your credit card to 212-239-7549. Our Email address is verification@bhphotovideo.com, (Does NOT apply to customers from Canada).
Please include the invoice number (that you will get when completing your order) along with the copy of your card. Your card will be charged & the merchandise committed upon submission of your order
If you have previously ordered online or by phone/fax with this credit card and it is already on file, no fax is required. (Note: If you have ordered before, the only way the web site system can recognize you as a repeat customer is if you use exactly the same name, address and phone number information. Any variation will cause the web site to conclude that you're a first time customer and hold the order pending receipt of the fax.)
Should I be worried about this? It seems incredibly dangerous to fax a detailed picture of both sides of your credit card to an anonymous person in a foreign company. Why is it that a company like this would require a scan of your credit card whereas Amazon.com only requires your CC#, Expiry Date and the 3-digit number on the back?
Am I just being paranoid, or is this common practice?
Cheers
Tim.
