Joined Mar 2013
L8: Grand Teacher
Forum Thread
Amazon asking for gov ID for returns
December 5, 2023 at
09:36 PM
Thread Details
Last Edited by SKV4m December 7, 2023 at 09:53 AM
Returned a PlayStation 5 controller and noticed it was stuck in waiting for return. I reach out to Amazon CA and they told me they require me to upload a gov ID to process the return. I go back in my return history and notice a few others stuck. What the hell Amazon? Asking for Gov ID when the return is already in your possession and blackmail withholding our money unless we give up our gov ID? That's a hell no. Automatic chargeback buddy.
Care to share your experience?
https://imgur.com/a/7w2Uuru
Care to share your experience?
https://imgur.com/a/7w2Uuru
About the OP
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How will you verify my identity?
In order for us to verify your identity, upload a valid government-issued identity document on the secure customer portal. Note that the following link will expire after 6 days:
https://account-status.amazon.c
All personal information that you provide will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice. To review our Privacy Notice, go to "Amazon and Your Personal Information":
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/cu...YX26H3ZXJT
What happens when I submit my ID document?
We will review your order and your account and verify your identity through one our third-party service providers. Once you have submitted your information through the secure customer portal, it will take us 3 business days to determine an outcome. At that point, you can contact us to learn the outcome of the investigation.
What happens if I do not submit my ID document?
You may continue shopping on Amazon, but you will no longer be eligible for a refund on the order …. Also, you will not be able to investigate this order issue further.
Who can I contact if I need help with this issue?
You can contact us through your Amazon profile. To do so, go to "Amazon Customer Service":
https://www.amazon.com/contact-us
Account Specialist
https://www.amazon.com
How will you verify my identity?
In order for us to verify your identity, upload a valid government-issued identity document on the secure customer portal. Note that the following link will expire after 6 days:
https://account-status.amazon.com...validation [amazon.com]
All personal information that you provide will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Notice. To review our Privacy Notice, go to "Amazon and Your Personal Information":
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/cu...YX26H3ZXJT [amazon.com]
What happens when I submit my ID document?
We will review your order and your account and verify your identity through one our third-party service providers. Once you have submitted your information through the secure customer portal, it will take us 3 business days to determine an outcome. At that point, you can contact us to learn the outcome of the investigation.
What happens if I do not submit my ID document?
You may continue shopping on Amazon, but you will no longer be eligible for a refund on the order …. Also, you will not be able to investigate this order issue further.
Who can I contact if I need help with this issue?
You can contact us through your Amazon profile. To do so, go to "Amazon Customer Service":
https://www.amazon.com/contact-us
Account Specialist
https://www.amazon.com
Agree it's a shitty thing to do. You have the product, why ask now?
This way you can know the underlying issue that got you in trouble. I know some things that have serial numbers (such as PS5) which are recorded on their end and if they do not match on a returned item, that's a no go.
I would be pissed. Let us know if they ban you for doing chargebacks. That is the way Amazon might retaliate. They are the 500 lb gorilla, and they do as they please. If banned, they can ban your IP. They are pretty good at keeping you out. It's not as simple as a new name, address, credit card, or email address. Ship-to addresses/contacts have been reported as being banned, ie family members.
You may not care at this point. I would applaud you for your principles.
Be aware a ban also means that if you have any Amazon gift card or promotional balance they will void it and not refund it. Not transferrable either.
I will follow this thread, and hope to see you post more information/updates.
BBB: https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): https://www.ftc.gov/
Amazon Photo ID Biometric Information – Class Action Investigation [chimicles.com]
If you received an email from Amazon requesting a copy of your photo ID, or uploaded a copy of your photo ID to share with Amazon, please fill-out the form provided below.
You'll need to decide whether it is that important to get your refund through their method, or a chargeback risking a ban. Many are reporting on Reddit that filing with BBB is useless.
This may indeed develop into a class action, as lawyers are trying to get more data per your link. I have no idea the amount (if any) it would garner for damages with no proof of related identity theft issues. That might get you another 2-year subscription to an identity monitoring service.
You'll have to decide if the battle (ie chargeback) is worth the risk of letting go of Amazon in your life. Once banned, hard to get back in.
I'm the kind of guy who fights over principles. I sometimes will spend much more time and effort than the goal of being made whole.
But for this situation, I would likely be a sheep. I have too much invested in the Amazon Ecosystem.
Please keep us updated.
I wonder that if a class action case is won, there would be any advantage for anyone involved to file with an attorney's office. Amazon or the attorney filing the suit should be required to notify members who were required to submit ID for returns. I often get postcards for class actions this way.
No it isn't. Just happened to me and I have had 2 returns out of 100 orders.
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Immediate charge back. Do not give them your id. Don't waste your time with CS. Amazon will close the dispute in your favor after you email them saying that the return was received but never refunded. https://imgur.com/a/Dy3EeHN
Before filing a dispute check your cc statements to verify your refund was credited. I had a few returns that were stuck in processing state but were indeed refunded.
Immediate charge back. Do not give them your id. Don't waste your time with CS. Amazon will close the dispute in your favor after you email them saying that the return was received but never refunded. https://imgur.com/a/Dy3EeHN
Before filing a dispute check your cc statements to verify your refund was credited. I had a few returns that were stuck in processing state but were indeed refunded.
I have always trusted them for refunds because I have gotten emails from them saying refunds are being granted as soon as the item is scanned in at the place I drop them off.
They have a tab for "Orders and Returns", but they do not separate them at all. I do not care for that policy.
"You can stay on top of your returns by tracking them in Your Orders."
I have always trusted them for refunds because I have gotten emails from them saying refunds are being granted as soon as the item is scanned in at the place I drop them off.
They have a tab for "Orders and Returns", but they do not separate them at all. I do not care for that policy.
"You can stay on top of your returns by tracking them in Your Orders."
I was only asked for ID after contacting CS. Never before initiating the return.
I think you are saying the following steps is how it happened:
You initiated a return.
Printed the label and/or dropped off the item.
You never received any email about the refund being given. So you were concerned.
You contacted CS.
They advised you of the requirement for ID.
If that's the case I don't see how they could legally put a hold on your refund without any communication of it being on hold. That is terrible!
I think you are saying the following steps is how it happened:
You initiated a return.
Printed the label and/or dropped off the item.
You never received any email about the refund being given. So you were concerned.
You contacted CS.
They advised you of the requirement for ID.
If that's the case I don't see how they could legally put a hold on your refund without any communication of it being on hold. That is terrible!
Hey sorry for the confusion articulation is not my strong suit.
You're totally correct. The item was returned and it wasn't until I contacted Amazon that I was told that an ID was required to process the return even though it was marked as received and processing.
You're totally correct. The item was returned and it wasn't until I contacted Amazon that I was told that an ID was required to process the return even though it was marked as received and processing.