I just tried to order an exhaust system for my new ZX-10R online from Yoshimura R&D and they sent me an email saying I had to provide a photo of my drivers license, ID Card, Passport etc. before they would process the order on my credit card. I called them and they said the younger generation of bikers are into scams and such and this is a precaution to protect the card holder. Never had this happen before.

Are things really getting this bad?

BTW, my billing and shipping addresses matched when I placed the order, I thought that automatically ensured there was no credit card fraud involved?

* Last updated by: Kruz on 9/26/2016 @ 11:19 AM *

I am afraid that would stop me from placing the order and look for a different way to buy..

I sent them a shot of my drivers license, they explained it is a precaution to protect the card holder but it does seem a bit over the top.

I thought that was what the 3 digit code on the back of the card was for?

At teh very least, I would block out part of info on DL...
I bought a Yosh R77 system last year from Yosh and it was a simple CC purchase. This must be something very new...

Whats to stop someone from using phony DL if they are using a phony CC? 'specially over the internet? I don't see what use a drivers license is for ID if they can't see what you look like.

I'd buy from someone else. Never heard of this. Sounds like YOU are getting scammed. I wouldn't do it to save $50.

If you do, better use PayPal at least.

Are you certain this is Yoshimura you are communicating with? If it's a fly by night scammer, they'll be gone before anyone can catch them.. Probably will get reimbursed by your CC but what a PITA.

I have NEVER and I mean NEVER had to send a copy of my driver's license for any CC purchase. That is what the 3 digit code is for , to prove you have the card in your possession. Then merchant calls card provider if they wanna follow up. And then CC provider would contact you to verify you tried to by the exhaust. Yoshimura may be on the up and up, but they could have a shady employee working for them. Something does not smell right with this.

I called Yoshimura's phone number listed on their website, called the extension and got the same guy and FedEx notified me they picked up my new system and it's on the way for Thursday delivery.... so I think I'm OK here. He explained that a lot of younger bikers are into scams and he didn't recognize my email address since it's not a .com so that raised a red flag. My company has their own email server. Anyway, it was a bit unusual but as long as I get my new system and get billed the right amount on my credit card I'm OK. Times are a changin' for sure though, apparently a whole lot of scamming goin' on out there.

Then merchant calls card provider if they wanna follow up. And then CC provider would contact you to verify you tried to by the exhaust.

Unfortunately that's not how it works at all.

The Clearing houses like Visa and Mastercard could care less if you the merchant
get stuck. They make money on both ends of the transaction and take the funds back
if the transaction ends up fraudulent even though they authorized it as good at the
time of the purchase.

There is virtually NO WAY to verify the card holder has actually made the purchase.

I run a online commerce site and we have been stuck several times.

If you get a transaction that seems shaky but has been "Authorized" by Visa, etc,
which means all is good, number, 3 digit security code, billing address, etc. it can
still be a fraudulent transaction, maybe just not reported yet.

I've personally called our clearing house and have wanted to double check that the
card holder actually knows about the order and all they will tell you is that the
transaction has been approved so it's good.

They don't care! they are out nothing and still make there 3% they just take the money back.

Now the best you can do as a merchant which I have done several times to try my best to
verify is all cards first set of digits actually tell you the "banks name" that issued the
card (data bases are online to decipher) like Wells Fargo or Arizona First, etc.

Once you have the info you can try and call that bank and verify customer and card.

It's all a pain in the ass.

I've never asked for a DL copy and they are probably just seeing if you actually answer
any inquiries. Most scammers will not.

As a merchant you get ripped off a few times for some bucks and then find out
that Visa, MC, AMX, etc don't really care at all it really pisses you off (can you tell)

I would image certain types of business get pounded pretty good on fraud charges and there's
nothing they can do except try to verify with the actual customer.

Thanks for this explanation piken, everything looks legitimate and I figured Yoshimura was just covering their bases here. It's just never happened before so it raised a red flag for a moment but what you are saying makes perfect sense.