B&H Photo warning

[John Ashby]

I am not saying that they would scam me, Barclaycard have stated that what they requested is not normal and not necessary.

Their operation is so streamlined that it's almost sickening. I
was in there on a Sunday afternoon and there were at least 200
people in the store and probably 100 employees, and this is just on
the sales floor.

I think B&H is a very safe place to do your business in person or
over the net. If I had to guess by what I've seen in person,
there's probably a guy sitting at at desk with the fax machine in
front of him, once the fax comes through, he verifies the
information, completes the sale then shreds the fax, all in a
matter of 15 - 30 seconds.

You're not dealing with a half ass operation here. I think B&H is
the real deal. If you ever make it to NYC, check out their store
and take notes because they are the model of efficiency.

My $0.14 cents

I'm agree with you Ashby, that's one of the reason I never buy
anything from B&H. May be I'm wrong but that's my personal idea. I
respect others ideas too....

These days you can confirm any creditcard in a couple of hours.

It is a strage thing to ask the front and back coipes of the cards.

The main problem you can make a fake card with that info easily and
every body has to ask their Bank that, are they "aloud" to give
these informations to someone else and if something happens, will
the their Bank accepts to cover them after giving these infos to
someone else.
Just an idea.....

We are living in a strage world. Everything can happens.

Excuse me, may be I'm thinking like an old fashion guy buy it's
better to play safe.....

--
Darrick
http://www.EMGStudios.cjb.net

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[The Conqueror]

I wonder what "aloud" means?

Excuse me it's "allowed".

I don't care how B&H or other shops who wants your "secret" personel info looks like.

Yes, they are honest I think. But I'm telling again "allways play safe".

 

[John Ashby]

yep

I wonder what "aloud" means?

Excuse me it's "allowed".

I don't care how B&H or other shops who wants your "secret"
personel info looks like.

Yes, they are honest I think. But I'm telling again "allways play
safe".

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[MArcos Blois]

I already bought with BH lots of times all of them abroad. In my case they only ask for the fax because the bill address is not the shiping address. I buy from Brazil to be delivered in US.

I know that they are all you said but, Barclaycard Fraud now want
to know why they want this information. I told them they have a
good rep, but they said they don't need the fax of your card.
Its not normal.

 

[Peter Narkotsky187824]

Here is why B&H is asking for this info (IMHO)

Most of the reputable US online merchants will only ship to the same address that your credit card is registered to. And this is very easy to instantly verify for US and Canada but not for the rest of the world. If say, I want to ship my package to something else but my registered address I would have to (and I've done so) jump through the same hoops as u do - copy of the credit card, maybe driver license also. So that information is for their protection when and if they will have to deal with Visa/MasterCard/etc in case of fraud. At least they can say that they did one extra step trying to verify your identity and the fact that you are actually have a card.

On other note... If you have a problem with a particular transaction with B&H that is not the reason to post warnings (IMHO). Did they defraud you or what? You don't know them and if you would have spend 5 minutes on the Web or in any of the forums asking question about their reputation you would've find out that they reputation is as close to perfect as it gets in the business. Which makes me think that you might have an agenda or you own!

 

[Jose A Parodi]

I have had to do the same thing when paying for some services locally.

In fact, I bought my wife (who works in Miami) a body treatment at the SPA located in the JW Marriott in Miami and unless I went personally, they asked for the copy of the card for their protection.

Bottom line was, no copy, no service ... UNLESS you drive from Fort Lauderdale and pay in person.

This is done in order to ensure the person on the phone is in fact holding the credit card.

--
Proud ower of
N60, N80, 950, 995

 

[John Ashby]

Do even go there, I have no problem with B&H, I only asked Barclaycard if it was ok so send the fax, they said no.

I know they have a good rep and I wouldn't say anything against them, I also told Barclaycard they had a good rep, but they still said no.
There must be a reason why we shouldn't do it.
When and if I get to come over it will be one of the stores I would buy from.

Here is why B&H is asking for this info (IMHO)

Most of the reputable US online merchants will only ship to the
same address that your credit card is registered to. And this is
very easy to instantly verify for US and Canada but not for the
rest of the world. If say, I want to ship my package to something
else but my registered address I would have to (and I've done so)
jump through the same hoops as u do - copy of the credit card,
maybe driver license also. So that information is for their
protection when and if they will have to deal with
Visa/MasterCard/etc in case of fraud. At least they can say that
they did one extra step trying to verify your identity and the fact
that you are actually have a card.

On other note... If you have a problem with a particular
transaction with B&H that is not the reason to post warnings
(IMHO). Did they defraud you or what? You don't know them and if
you would have spend 5 minutes on the Web or in any of the forums
asking question about their reputation you would've find out that
they reputation is as close to perfect as it gets in the business.
Which makes me think that you might have an agenda or you own!

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[JonyDirk]

It's pretty straight forward....B&H (and others) simply want to see that YOU are in possession of the card....

If they were trying to scam you, your card number is all that is needed.

When a retailer asks for a photocopy of the card, they are actually protecting you.....

Every time you use your card (and not just on-line, but at restaurants, stores, etc), you are giving out your card number. A waiter or busboy at a restaurant has access to the sales receipt...and the number. They could call that number in...

So, when B&H asks for a photocopy and all the busboy has is a card number, busboy is out of luck!

That's about it.

Cheers,
John

Hello All,
This only applys to international buyers, not Canada.
I have spoken to Barclaycard fraud department and they have said
not to send B&H photo a faxed copy of your card, they know of know
reason why they would need this information, and there advice don't
do it.

I have sent B&H photo emails this morning and they have not responded.

--
http://www.photoit.org

--
http://www.pbase.com/jonydirk/galleries

 

[MK]

Huh? Like what? Everything that is raised is reproduced with the sweep of those ancient credit card machines. There is enough information to do the transaction so if someone had bad intentions, that receipt is enough. No difference than a FAX.

If you are worrying that someone has a "copy" of your card, it's no
different from some of the merchants that still run that credit
card machine over your card to make an imprint on the slip.

Hello All,
This only applys to international buyers, not Canada.
I have spoken to Barclaycard fraud department and they have said
not to send B&H photo a faxed copy of your card, they know of know
reason why they would need this information, and there advice don't
do it.

I have sent B&H photo emails this morning and they have not responded.

--
http://www.photoit.org

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[John Ashby]

What Barclaycard said was the front of the card is ok, but no to the back

If they were trying to scam you, your card number is all that is
needed.

When a retailer asks for a photocopy of the card, they are actually
protecting you.....

Every time you use your card (and not just on-line, but at
restaurants, stores, etc), you are giving out your card number. A
waiter or busboy at a restaurant has access to the sales
receipt...and the number. They could call that number in...

So, when B&H asks for a photocopy and all the busboy has is a card
number, busboy is out of luck!

That's about it.

Cheers,
John

Hello All,
This only applys to international buyers, not Canada.
I have spoken to Barclaycard fraud department and they have said
not to send B&H photo a faxed copy of your card, they know of know
reason why they would need this information, and there advice don't
do it.

I have sent B&H photo emails this morning and they have not responded.

--
http://www.photoit.org

--
http://www.pbase.com/jonydirk/galleries

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[MK]

Well, it seems like you have two choices here:

1. Follow your bank's advice and buy elsewhere and perhaps pay a higher price and/or get less service.

2. Or buy from probably the most reputable camera dealers in NYC, perhaps even in the US.

It's a simple choice that only you can decide. I don't think anyone here can advise you otherwise. It's obvious that you will follow your bank's instruction. If you do that it just means you have to take your business elsewhere.

If they were trying to scam you, your card number is all that is
needed.

When a retailer asks for a photocopy of the card, they are actually
protecting you.....

Every time you use your card (and not just on-line, but at
restaurants, stores, etc), you are giving out your card number. A
waiter or busboy at a restaurant has access to the sales
receipt...and the number. They could call that number in...

So, when B&H asks for a photocopy and all the busboy has is a card
number, busboy is out of luck!

That's about it.

Cheers,
John

Hello All,
This only applys to international buyers, not Canada.
I have spoken to Barclaycard fraud department and they have said
not to send B&H photo a faxed copy of your card, they know of know
reason why they would need this information, and there advice don't
do it.

I have sent B&H photo emails this morning and they have not responded.

--
http://www.photoit.org

--
http://www.pbase.com/jonydirk/galleries

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[John Ashby]

I have now taken my business elsewhere

1. Follow your bank's advice and buy elsewhere and perhaps pay a
higher price and/or get less service.
2. Or buy from probably the most reputable camera dealers in NYC,
perhaps even in the US.

It's a simple choice that only you can decide. I don't think
anyone here can advise you otherwise. It's obvious that you will
follow your bank's instruction. If you do that it just means you
have to take your business elsewhere.

If they were trying to scam you, your card number is all that is
needed.

When a retailer asks for a photocopy of the card, they are actually
protecting you.....

Every time you use your card (and not just on-line, but at
restaurants, stores, etc), you are giving out your card number. A
waiter or busboy at a restaurant has access to the sales
receipt...and the number. They could call that number in...

So, when B&H asks for a photocopy and all the busboy has is a card
number, busboy is out of luck!

That's about it.

Cheers,
John

Hello All,
This only applys to international buyers, not Canada.
I have spoken to Barclaycard fraud department and they have said
not to send B&H photo a faxed copy of your card, they know of know
reason why they would need this information, and there advice don't
do it.

I have sent B&H photo emails this morning and they have not responded.

--
http://www.photoit.org

--
http://www.pbase.com/jonydirk/galleries

--
http://www.photoit.org

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[dru124138]

Spealing as someone whose job used to entail looking into online fraud possibilities, I'd have to say that your "warning" is simply unfounded.

B&H is taking these measures to combat the incredibly high rate of credit card fraud perpetrated under the guise of international sales transactions. They probably are doing so under the guidance, if not requrements, of the bank that provides their merchant accounts. B&H is a high volume mail and internet dealer in easily converted items of high value, and I am sure they have special conditions attached to their merchant accounts, much as my previous employer did.

They are not going to tell you what exactly they are looking for by asking for the copy of your card. They'd be total idiots to do so, much as any business person sould be stupid to reveal their security precautions to any perspective customer. For all they know, you could simply be another player in the rings of fraudsters operating overseas, and the info they might provide simply would make the cons better armed in commiting their frauds. It may be that they are simply wanting to verify that you've signed your card, in compliance with the requirements of your cardholder agreement. It also may be that they've been given access to security meaures present on the card that the general public isn't aware of.

Providing a copy if your credit card, front and back places you in no more risk than handing it to a clerk over a store counter. That's simply the facts of the matter.

The other fact is that B&H has the selection, stock, prices, service and reputation that makes them worth dealing with. They are under no obligation to accept any credit card transaction, and can insist upon any conditions they deem neccessary as long as those conditions don't violate the law.

Deciding to deal or not deal with a merchant based on objective measures is reasonable and prudent. Deciding not to based on paranoia or lack of information is not, and to try to spread distrust of any merchant based on your own unfounded fears is irresponsible.

Dru

 

[John Ashby]

Nice story, but if your read what is posted, its not me that is paranoid it is the credit card company, they are the ones that said NO.

Barclaycard have no idea why they want this info, they said it is not needed, anyhow I have now ordered the equipment from another company that does trust some of us and know how to deal with Barclaycard transactions properly.

Spealing as someone whose job used to entail looking into online
fraud possibilities, I'd have to say that your "warning" is simply
unfounded.

B&H is taking these measures to combat the incredibly high rate of
credit card fraud perpetrated under the guise of international
sales transactions. They probably are doing so under the guidance,
if not requrements, of the bank that provides their merchant
accounts. B&H is a high volume mail and internet dealer in easily
converted items of high value, and I am sure they have special
conditions attached to their merchant accounts, much as my previous
employer did.

They are not going to tell you what exactly they are looking for by
asking for the copy of your card. They'd be total idiots to do so,
much as any business person sould be stupid to reveal their
security precautions to any perspective customer. For all they
know, you could simply be another player in the rings of
fraudsters operating overseas, and the info they might provide
simply would make the cons better armed in commiting their frauds.
It may be that they are simply wanting to verify that you've signed
your card, in compliance with the requirements of your cardholder
agreement. It also may be that they've been given access to
security meaures present on the card that the general public isn't
aware of.

Providing a copy if your credit card, front and back places you in
no more risk than handing it to a clerk over a store counter.
That's simply the facts of the matter.

The other fact is that B&H has the selection, stock, prices,
service and reputation that makes them worth dealing with. They are
under no obligation to accept any credit card transaction, and can
insist upon any conditions they deem neccessary as long as those
conditions don't violate the law.

Deciding to deal or not deal with a merchant based on objective
measures is reasonable and prudent. Deciding not to based on
paranoia or lack of information is not, and to try to spread
distrust of any merchant based on your own unfounded fears is
irresponsible.

Dru

--
http://www.photoit.org

 

[Stephen I. Levine]

B&H closes early on Friday and will not reopen until Sunday, New York Time, so it is not strange that you did not receive a reply to your e-mail today.

Hello All,
This only applys to international buyers, not Canada.
I have spoken to Barclaycard fraud department and they have said
not to send B&H photo a faxed copy of your card, they know of know
reason why they would need this information, and there advice don't
do it.

I have sent B&H photo emails this morning and they have not responded.

--
http://www.photoit.org