Question on selling watches.

[drlecter]

Hello everyone,
Is it normal for a buyer to request a picture of a driver license or identification?

I have been dealing in the forums for almost 20 years and I never got this weird request from a buyer until now.

Thanks in advance,

[Noonan]

Considering all the hacked accounts and scams going on within watch forums these days, I'm honestly not surprised to see it being requested.

[Tavli3]

I assume he wants to know who he’s sending money to. I think it’s prudent on buyers part


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Catatafish]

With all the horror show threads about people being scammed it doesn't surprise me. If I was buying from anyone other than a brick and mortar dealer I'd probably want to skype them standing next to the mailbox with an address on it holding up their driver's license.

[drlecter]

Originally Posted by Noonan

Considering all the hacked accounts and scams going on within watch forums these days, I'm honestly not surprised to see it being requested.

I see. You don't think that it could be a hacker on the other end and use your credentials ?

What about references from reputable members?

[Cloudchaser]

I almost always send a picture of my DL, whether I'm a buyer or seller. It is an indication of identity, good faith, and professionalism. It also easily facilitates a proper bill of sale.

[Noonan]

Originally Posted by drlecter

I see. You don't think that it could be a hacker on the other end and use your credentials ?

What about references from reputable members?

I'm not saying I would send a picture myself; just saying I'm not surprised to see it happen.

References can and have been falsified as well.

At this point, my purchases are at ADs only.

[drlecter]

Originally Posted by Tavli3

I assume he wants to know who he’s sending money to. I think it’s prudent on buyers part


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

All that information is on the bank account information.

[Catatafish]

Originally Posted by drlecter

I see. You don't think that it could be a hacker on the other end and use your credentials ?

What about references from reputable members?

Other than DOB, there's nothing on my driver's license that can't already be found on the County Clerk's website. Just blur out your DOB and you should be good.

When I sold a watch to Bob's they required a photo ID.

[Duey]

Not a big deal at all. I've asked for it and have been asked for it.

[drlecter]

I see.

Thanks everyone!

[Sperry]

A bonafide name, address, email address, and phone number should all come up together in a google search. At least 2-of-3 in different combinations. Enough to establish reasonable certainty of identity.

I've sent mine as a seller and request the buyer do the same. Like Cloudchaser says, it immediately establishes oneself as legitimate.

[JParm]

I'm a LinkedIn guy, so a message through there is one of the first things that I ask for when making a deal.

[Welshwatchman]

It has been surprising the calibre of member that have just handed over their password via the classic fake screen scam.

It is also not surprising that they call it "HACKING", as it sounds less embarrassing than the correct term "PHISHING" or being duped.

I'd always err on the side of extreme caution. The scums will be on the internet (inc here
) until it doesn't work for them.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by drlecter

Hello everyone,
Is it normal for a buyer to request a picture of a driver license or identification?

I have been dealing in the forums for almost 20 years and I never got this weird request from a buyer until now.

Thanks in advance,

It happens.

Fwiw, I'd never send anyone my gov issue ID to sell a watch.

There's always another bus.

[othertbone]

Originally Posted by drlecter

Hello everyone,
Is it normal for a buyer to request a picture of a driver license or identification?

I have been dealing in the forums for almost 20 years and I never got this weird request from a buyer until now.

Thanks in advance,

Buyer wants to know who he is dealing with in case he is scammed. Sounds like a good idea to me. If his request is declined, he should walk.

[FrankNYC]

When selling, I always send a pic of my ID with the watch on top of any identifying numbers.

[donas]

I've been asked to do this as a seller. I sent a pic of my drivers license but blurred all the personal info (as well as DL #) other than my name and city/state in the address. That is all they need to see in order to prove that at least the info I have already provided is accurate.

[GB-man]

I’ve flat out offered it on three occasions to close deals as a seller. I have nothing to hide and each time it sealed the deal.

[VintageVagabound]

Maybe he’s worried that you’ll eat his liver with fava beans and a nice Chianti...

[Chiboy]

I've requested this with Craigslist sales where I needed to allow someone into my house (big furniture, etc.). I like to know who I am dealing with. Especially when it includes access into my house or me wiring five digits of dough.

[colpol]

Just thinking out loud here

Saying selling a watch at £15k/ buyer asks for ID & proof of Address/ then pulls out at last min. Few days later house gets robbed or worse still guys break in while I’m in House & threaten violence unless said watch handed across

Maybe I’m in minority but wouldn’t be giving my address over the internet.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by colpol

Just thinking out loud here

Saying selling a watch at £15k/ buyer asks for ID & proof of Address/ then pulls out at last min. Few days later house gets robbed or worse still guys break in while I’m in House & threaten violence unless said watch handed across

Maybe I’m in minority but wouldn’t be giving my address over the internet.

Thank you.

[watchdogitalia]

Originally Posted by drlecter

Hello everyone,
Is it normal for a buyer to request a picture of a driver license or identification?

I have been dealing in the forums for almost 20 years and I never got this weird request from a buyer until now.

Thanks in advance,

I have been selling on a few other sites and have seen this weird request a few times

[FTX I]

I wouldn't ask as a buyer. If I need this level of personal information it means I don't trust the seller so shouldn't be dealing with him in the first place. However, I don't buy watches on the internet.

[drlecter]

Originally Posted by colpol

Just thinking out loud here

Saying selling a watch at £15k/ buyer asks for ID & proof of Address/ then pulls out at last min. Few days later house gets robbed or worse still guys break in while I’m in House & threaten violence unless said watch handed across

Maybe I’m in minority but wouldn’t be giving my address over the internet.

I agree with you but I do not keep my watches at home, only in the bank safe and I am sure nobody wants to get in my house. It is not a good idea.

[drlecter]

Update:

After all the hassle, this person send me first a shipping label and then a second label to a different address with a different name.

Also this person told me that in the past he was scammed with two watches and the seller hired an attorney and then he had to hired an attorney that is the reason why he was asking for too much information.

I also Google this person and I found that he had an arrest/criminal record.

Since he was asking for too much information from me, I had to ask him what was his criminal record, to which he replied with something that sounded to me that he just made an BS excuse.

After all this hassle, the buyer backed out saying that because my question was "accusatory" he was no comfortable with the deal and that he will only proceed if I can send my $13k watch to him before sending the wire

Would you ship your expensive watch to a complete stranger, with the buyer's label and no payment?

[whitelightning]

NO, I would not.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by drlecter

Update:

After all the hassle, this person send me first a shipping label and then a second label to a different address with a different name.

Also this person told me that in the past he was scammed with two watches and the seller hired an attorney and then he had to hired an attorney that is the reason why he was asking for too much information.

I also Google this person and I found that he had an arrest/criminal record.

Since he was asking for too much information from me, I had to ask him what was his criminal record, to which he replied with something that sounded to me that he just made an BS excuse.

After all this hassle, the buyer backed out saying that because my question was "accusatory" he was no comfortable with the deal and that he will only proceed if I can send my $13k watch to him before sending the wire

Would you ship your expensive watch to a complete stranger, with the buyer's label and no payment?

Well, he made it really easy for you.

[envuks]

Originally Posted by drlecter

All that information is on the bank account information.

Yeah, but the bank account could be under a different name than the DL. Would be a red flag that asking for the DL would identify.

I’ve asked for drivers license photos before meeting someone in person