To think Amazon shouldn't be asking for all this information?

[PurpleIris21]

I stopped using Amazon a couple of years ago out of principle and because of not being able to find the decent products because of its total enshittification. Then at Xmas I was given a gift card and ordered a couple of things my kids wanted.

Amazon blocked my account straight away and wouldn't open it again until I'd provided a copy of my bank statement and quite a few extra personal details.

Why the hell do they think they have the right to do this? I'm constantly warning my elderly parents not to share this kind of info online, so why do Amazon think they can ask for it just so I can use a gift card that's already been paid for??

Just another reason not to shop there ever again, I suppose!

I think Amazon has finally had its day. They made a huge mistake with marketplace which is now just flooded with temu tat being resold but it's hard to tell the difference between it all on the platform. Last few things we've bought have been faulty. I doubt they've passed British safety standards (e.g. a light where the switch broke with a simple touch and left exposed wires). Customer service is much much worse than it used to be. Delivery is no longer next day in a lot of cases. The TV platform also isn't worth the prime subscription because most of it is still not available unless you pay even more. I'm done with it!

Sounds like the gift card isn't a real one/stolen. I wouldn't give Amazin any details but I would return the gift card to the original person.

Ask them to justify why they’re asking for sensitive personal information with reference to how their request is compliant with GDPR. Tell them you’re going to check they can request it with the Information Commissioner.

I have used a few gift cards since christmas and not been asked for this. something has triggered a concern on their part. I agree with going back to the person who gave them to you. Was it for large sums of money? It may be related to money laundering regs.

You don’t have to provide that information, they’ll just close the account.

My old Amazon account got banned recently. Firstly, I deleted it because I didn’t use it much. All fine. Then a few months later I tried to reopen an account but couldn’t. It was at that point, they banned my new account. Weird because my old account was always fine, but had since been deleted so they banned me purely on the new account which had zero transactions. Weird. They didn’t ask me to provide any further information though, just a straight ban!

But what’s weirder is, I had a secondary account this entire time which is working fine. I have ordered loads since and no issues. So I think sometimes their system isn’t consistent or doesn’t flag things consistently. Surely if my banned new account was an issue, the other account associated with my details would get banned too but no!

You didn't do it, did you?

I tried to contact them, waited a week and got no reply so gave up and supplied the documents the asked for with all the sensitive data blocked out, which took ages. The card was definitely legit and the only issue I can see is that I hardly ever use my account. But once I've spent the money on the card, I won't be going back.

Amazon is basically a hit or miss scammers site now. All the fake stuff gets put on the same shelf as the genuine stuff. You can't trust anything from it anymore.

I'd probably give the gift card away rather than provide shit like that tbh.

The vouchers are probably regifted freebies that are given away by people switching energy or insurance products. I would just give them back and say you can’t use them.

I only buy dog poop bags on Amazon these days. Sums it up really!
Amazon used to be brilliant.
I'd not be giving them personal info.

That’s extremely strange. I’ve had an Amazon account for years and have never known them ask for anything like that. They must think that either you, or the person who gifted you the card, has a poor credit rating, and/or history of dodgy dealings.