Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : ID-Required on Signup

[Steven.C]

Hey...

Do you think it would be too much to ask for a driver's license # or some form of state ID number on a dedicated server order form?

(Still trying to work out something for customers outside of the us....)

The number would be used to verify information with:
http://safespy.net/detective.htm

And to have on file should an account be written off to collections...

What do you think?

[tkam]

I'm not a big fan of this but it seems to have become pretty common.

[RayWomack]

I think it is probably a good idea. I assume this company is trying to qualify good customers. They must have some loss prevention issues they are trying to handle.

But, again, this is a guy who would think giving prospective clients an IQ test might not be a bad idea either

[Steven.C]

I'm trying to figure out what type of ID would work for individuals out of the US....We're going to use Driver's License/State ID/Military ID for the usa, but no clue what the norm is outside of the country.

Do you think such a requirement on an orderform would deter prospective clients?

[oshawa]

I think it is a bad idea ...

With all the identity theft that is going on right now, people shouldn't even be giving that stuff out (drivers lic, etc).

Recently i was asked to fax or send an image of my drivers license to a company ... at that point, they would have my pic, and signature too ... i said no ... and they still filled the order

Don't forget that once that info is on file at a company, it can be stolen by one of their employees (now ex-employees) or hacked from their system. Once the information gets out (image of drivers license with signature and picture), there is no getting it back.

I understand the need to protect yourself, but there must be another way ... I know I would not give that information out as a potential customer.

[Steven.C]

What makes a dedicated server provider different from a cell phone provider? I certainly know verizon has all my information on file and any lack of payment on my end is going straight to collections, and ultimately my credit.

I'm trying to find some sort of mutual medium to protect us as well as the customer (from inflated pricing due to fraud, deadbeat customers). I certainly wouldn't ask for a social security #. I figure an ID such as a drivers license is made just for that purpose. To identify people.

[tkam]

Originally posted by nS-Steven
What makes a dedicated server provider different from a cell phone provider? I certainly know verizon has all my information on file and any lack of payment on my end is going straight to collections, and ultimately my credit.

I see your point but the difference is that the dedicated server industry has more than the average amount of fly by night and shady operations than more traditional industries like the phone and/or cable industries.

[oshawa]

Yes ... I know what you mean ... because ultimately we all pay for the fraud.

Too bad banks/card companies didn't offer a telephone confirmation service or something like that ... maybe they could charge a small fee to call their customer (the card holder) and confirm they made the order. Since the credit card companies would most definitely have the real customer info/phone number, they could easily confirm that it was the real person.

I wouldn't mind if my credit card company called me to confirm that i just ordered another dedicated server ... actually, i would like that ...

[Steven.C]

As far as identity theft...that would be a big violation of privacy policy, and would definately involve law enforcement agencies...I'm sure any reputable company would screen employees before allowing access to such information...

If not a drivers license? What would you recommend?

I was trying to think of something that could be submitted electronically and not required to be faxed in.

[RayWomack]

Originally posted by tkam
I see your point but the difference is that the dedicated server industry has more than the average amount of fly by night and shady operations than more traditional industries like the phone and/or cable industries.

Yeah, the US Secret Service contacted us about a website posing as an online bank within the last 10 minutes

[Steven.C]

Originally posted by PSFServers
Yeah, the US Secret Service contacted us about a website posing as an online bank within the last 10 minutes

That is blatant fraud. What could someone possibly do with your Drivers License ID number. If such a risk of identity theft was a problem, no one would use their CC #'s on the forms. Employees (in billing) all have access to that no?

[oshawa]

Once it becomes common practice to give out drivers license numbers, scammers will just get the cc number and drivers license and you will be no more protected than you are now.

Voice contact by the issuer of the credit card is the only fool proof way that i can come up with ...

[sprintserve]

Originally posted by nS-Steven
What makes a dedicated server provider different from a cell phone provider? I certainly know verizon has all my information on file and any lack of payment on my end is going straight to collections, and ultimately my credit.

Well no difference if
1. You have data protection policies - If you do, let's hear them
2. You have audit procedures to check them and ensure adherence
3. You can represent yourself to be as trustworthy as them.

[sprintserve]

Originally posted by nS-Steven
The number would be used to verify information with:
http://safespy.net/detective.htm

On a side note, are those things any good? Sure wouldn't mind paying $35. How updated is it?

[oshawa]

Another option would be to only allow instant setup if the person gives the required info (drivers license or whatever).

If they don't want to give the information, charge an extra ten bucks or something and have someone verify by telephone or reference or something like that ....

People are hesitant to give out information that is going to be stored electronically ... (wachovia and bank of america just lost 110,000 profiles a couple weeks ago ... if public companies with audits, etc., can lose information than I am sure it can happen to a privately owned server company)