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Legit security request?

I

ijf440

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Hello,

I ordered a refurb macbook from Apple the other day. I didn't get a confirmation shortly afer submitting my order as I thought I would. However, I recieved an email (below). I'm not sure if it's totally legit as it says it will cancel my order within 5 days if I don't comply. Trouble is, I was on a ship when i received the mail and don't routinely carry household bills while offshore!!

Luckilly, my job finished early and I can now submit details. Is this request legitimate?

Thanks,
Ian

Customer Name: xxxxxxxx xxxxx
Order Date: 23.10.2008
Order Number: xxxxxxxx
Customer Purchase Order Number: xxxxxxxxxxx
Web Order Number: xxxxxxxxxx


Dear Apple Store customer,

Thank you for placing an order with the Apple Store.

We are eager to process your order as soon as possible, in order for us
to do so we would like to further confirm some details with you.

We perform security checks on our customers orders due to the nature of
our business, as the cardholder is not present to sign for such
transactions. Such checks are done to protect your security.

Apple Online Stores Terms and Conditions state that Apple reserves the
right to verify the identity of the genuine credit card holder by
requesting appropriate documentation.

Please scan a copy of the following documentation to us in jpeg format
and email to eurofinance@euro.apple.com as soon as possible (Please
quote your Web Order Reference number when sending):

A copy of
1) Card holders Drivers license or National Identity Card or Passport
and
2) Recent Credit Card / Bank Statement showing card holder name, address
and card number. Please feel free to black-out any other
non-relevant information.

Alternatively, you can Fax these documents to us via our Secure Fax
(+ 353 21 xxxx 3032)

Once the required documents have been received, we will continue the
processing of your order. Subsequently these documents will be
destroyed once we have processed your order.

If we do not receive any documentation within 5 working days from the
date of this request, your order will not be processed by Apple, and the
reason will be noted in our database.

If you have any questions regarding this request please do not hesitate
to contact us on our Freephone number (from within UK 0800 039 9901 )
choose EXT 89xxx


Awaiting your reply
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
Apple Store Finance
Click to expand...
 
I'd call the Apple Store with whatever number is listed on Apple's website. I don't know how the store works overseas, but I've never had to provide any documentation for purchases in the states.
 
Seems dodgy, but a look on Google is inconclusive. Are you financing the purchase? That would seem to be the reason for their request if it's legit.

As others have said, call/email Apple.
 
It does not seem legitimate to me, they are asking for some information that shouldn't be shared over the internet at all. I would find a number on Apple's website and call that to confirm the legitimacy of this email. It just seems very illegitimate to me. Do not use the number or website links included in that message, they could lead to fraudulent phone numbers or phishing webpages designed with the pure intention of stealing your identity.

I would never send your credit card or identity information over an internet connection unless you navigated to the page completely by yourself, and feel 100% positive that it is a legitimate site.

What is the worst that could happen if you don't reply, you get your order cancelled? It would just be an inconvenience of several days to a week without your new computer, and if you did reply, your identity could be stolen. They also shouldn't put a time limit on an email like that. I often go away for periods of up to a week, which would mean that I wouldn't get the email until it was too late. I would go to Apple's website yourself (don't use any links supplied in that email), find a number to call Customer Service in your country, and inquire about the message there.
 
Thanks for the replies folks - I'll give Apple a ring. I can't for the life of me work out how a fraudster would gather such details as my order ID unless it was an inside job.

I've gone for a refurb MB 2.1 White, 120GB HD, 1GB RAM, for £529 which I think is a very good deal... that's the reason I would like to get things moving swiftly - so I don't lose the deal!

Thanks again,
Ian
 
Did you phone the number on the email or the normal apple number. I'd sugest you call the regular apple number just in case.
 
ditzy said:
Did you phone the number on the email or the normal apple number. I'd sugest you call the regular apple number just in case.
Click to expand...

I agree. Make sure you call the number listed on Apple's site and not the provided number. I've never had to provide any information when I've bought anything from them either. Like someone said, it could be because of financing or over-seas.
 
I would not send that information over email at any rate. Email is by nature insecure. Also, how do you know that the fax number provided is secure as they say?

It all smells very fishy to me. As others have stated, be sure to call Apple at the number on their website. Don't use the number provided in the email. If it does turn out to be legit I would certainly let them know how reluctant I am to send out this kind of information over an insecure medium.
 
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