Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Domain Names : Unfair Demands by Reseller Club

[drmikelim]

Unfair Demands by Reseller Club

I signed up for an account with ResellerClub and moved my domains over. They sent me an email requesting for scanned copies of photo identification (e.g. driving license), credit card (allowing certain sections to be blanked out) and a letter of authorization to use the credit card. I emailed them to tell them that I will not release these confidential information. They called me and told me that I must comply if I intend to keep my account. Although I pointed out to them that I am protected by international regulations on the use of VISA, they simply insisted that I must provide them with the 3 documents if I want them to honour the VISA transaction. After further discussion over the phone, we agreed to part ways. They agreed to give me 14 days to move my domains and provide me with a full refund. However, to this day, my account is still being locked by Reseller Club. I have tried unsuccessfully to email the reseller liaison person to unlock my account so that I can transfer my domains but he does not reply to my email. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED with Reseller Club.

[Techno]

Originally Posted by drmikelim

and a letter of authorization to use the credit card.

You are using someone else's credit card. I'm not surprised they want more confirmation of your identity.

You posted this in 4 different - and old - threads within 20 minutes.

[drmikelim]

Disappointed with Reseller Club

I am using my own credit card. However, Reseller Club claims that it is the industry practice that these documents are to be provided- scanned copies of photo identification (e.g. driving license), credit card (allowing certain sections to be blanked out) and a letter of authorization to use the credit card. When I request to terminate the account and be refunded they agreed. However, they are still locking my account thus preventing me from transferrring my domains. In the meantime, Reseller Club has not refunded me my money. Can anyone advise how I can get Reseller Club to unlock my account so that I can transfer my domains?

[Vinayak_Sharma]

Provide them the documents that they have asked for and prove that you are genuine.

Documents you have mentioned are asked for by most of the providers whether they are registrar or server providers, its nothing new.

[mkjmkj]

they have never asked me such... Once i have used paypal of my friend .. They have asked ID PROOF i have provided Bank Passbook's main page scaned copy..
Then i have never faced such problem again...

[Techno]

Can anyone advise how I can get Reseller Club to unlock my account so that I can transfer my domains?

Provide them with the info they are requesting... unless those domains aren't important to you. Many registrars and web hosts ask for this info when they suspect fraud. What country are you in? What country is the VISA from?

[philipdaniel]

These days, most of the people are using other's credit card, Paypal accounts by their permit and sometimes without permit by hacking account. So it has become necessary for webhost to ask for proof that you are right person to use that payment option.

You should provide them your documents that you already using as ID proof or address proof. And can request to do not showing Credit card details and also specify reason behind it.

[drmikelim]

Thank you for the above advice.

For those who suggest that I provide the documents as demanded by Reseller Club, i.e. scanned copies of photo identification (e.g. driving license), credit card (allowing certain sections to be blanked out) and a letter of authorization to use the credit card, my question is "how can I be sure that these personal info will not be mis-used or stolen?"

I am disappointed that Reseller Club did not honour the arrangement to unlock my account so that I can transfer my domains out. Does anyone have any suggestion how I can get Reseller Club to keep to their word to unlock my account so that I can transfer my domains out.

[Vinayak_Sharma]

It had happened before and it will happen again.

People signed up for services, paid and got the services, moved them elsewhere, and did a charge back.

RC is a big company with thousands and thousands of clients, their parent company that is DirectI even empower many other registrars and they also have many other business arms.

Do you think they are going to misuse the information?

[drmikelim]

There are many cases of identity theft and even fraud in big international companies including banks. I would rather not trust Reseller Club with my personal info. In fact, I have registered with iPage and they did not demand for my personal info. I would rather not bow to Reseller Club's demands to have scanned copies of my photo identification (e.g. driving license), credit card (allowing certain sections to be blanked out) and a letter of authorization to use the credit card.

Does anyone have any suggestion how to get Reseller Club to honour their words to unlock my account so that I can transfer my domains out without my having to provide them with scanned copies of my photo identification (e.g. driving license), credit card (allowing certain sections to be blanked out) and a letter of authorization to use the credit card.

[Vinayak_Sharma]

Its simple, you don't trust them and they don't trust you.

They are a worldwide known company while you are an unknown identity in this big bad world.

They have asked you to provide the required information, ball is in your court.

Either provide them what they need or forget those domains.

You being adamant on transferring out the domains in such a short period is itself a huge red flag.

[Techno]

They agreed to give me 14 days to move my domains and provide me with a full refund.

1) You must wait 60 days (from registration or transfer in) before you can move domains out of a registrar - any registrar

2) registrars will not give a refund on registered domains. No way any registrar will let you move your domains out AND give you refund.

3) because you will not confirm your identity - ResellerClub is concerned that you (or the real card holder) will do a charge back after transferring the domains out.

[drmikelim]

Thank you, Vinayak_Sharma for your advice, however, I do not agree with your advice to submit to big organizations. It is true that I may be an individual whereas Reseller Club is a big company. However, I will fight for my rights and in the process let everyone in the world know that we as consumers should stand up for our rights. I will not submit to what I feel as dangerous demands by Reseller Club to provide them with scanned copies of my photo identification (e.g. driving license), credit card (allowing certain sections to be blanked out) and a letter of authorization to use the credit card.

As stated in the VISA International Operating Regulations (2011),

"a Merchant must not require
a Cardholder, to provide any supplementary Cardholder information as a condition for honoring a
Visa Card or Visa Electron Card, unless it is required or permitted elsewhere in the U.S. Regional
Operating Regulations. Such supplementary Cardholder information includes, but is not limited to:
• Social Security Number (or any part thereof)
• Fingerprint
• Home or business address or telephone number
• Driver's license number
• Photocopy of a driver's license
• Photocopy of the Visa Card or Visa Electron Card
• Other credit cards"

Can I hear from some other people who like me believe in standing up for our rights as consumers?

[stub]

Originally Posted by Techno

1) You must wait 60 days (from registration or transfer in) before you can move domains out of a registrar - any registrar

2) registrars will not give a refund on registered domains. No way any registrar will let you move your domains out AND give you refund.

3) because you will not confirm your identity - ResellerClub is concerned that you (or the real card holder) will do a charge back after transferring the domains out.

@Techno

1, is not true, except for the new registrations. You can transfer out previously transfered in domains, just you might not always get an additional year added for the second transfer if it's within 45 days of the previous transfer. (this is an over-simplification but basically is the point). it might also depend on the policies of the registrar.

@drmikelim

I think it's crazy that you have to write a letter of authorization to use your own credit card. Like, "I authorize me to use my own credit card".

The other two things are basically standard practice, for most domain registrars, if they have any suspicions. If they don't have any suspicions they sometime let it slide. But by your refusal, you have alerted their suspicions.

If and when they release your account, you are going to be out of pocket with the final transactions. And like Techo said, they are very unlikely to give you any refunds.

If you want my honest opinion, I think they will never unlock your account and allow you to transfer the domains out. Say goodbye to your domains, unless a kindly spokesperson for ResellerClub comes on here and offers to help, or you start legal proceeding against them.

Sorry to be the bringer of bad tidings. But you did bring this upon yourself. If you had complied, everything would now be Hunky Dory. Registrars have the upper-hand. And they need it with the amount of fraud they have to deal with, every day.

You cannot equate buying domains online to buying flowers or chocolate online. although I'm sure flowers and chocolate companies have to deal with credit card fraud, it is nothing to the level of credit card fraud in buying domain names. You can quote what Visa says all day long, but it won't help. Because if the Registrar loses his ability to accept credit cards (because of all the fraud), they go out of business.

[dnki]

@drmikelim

How many domains do you have with Resellerclub ?