General Topic
Excessive security measures on websites these days
Andrew C 28719614-Oct-23 03:03 pm
I just tried to redeem some points from another survey website and they've changed the process yet again. A while back they changed the redeeming process to include phone code (either a text message or a robo-voice call) and now they insanely require you to take a photo of yourself holding your drivers license or ID, which they store on a "secure server" (yeah, right)!! If you don't, you can't redeem any points.
I already had to close an account with a different survey site a while back because they changed the rules to insist on sending a code by text message only to a mobile phone (I don't own one) to verify redeeming points.
It's getting to the point of utter ridiculousness!! ??
Comments
  • I just tried redeeming some point from the sister site OpinionWorld. Despite claiming to now use the same silly Veriff system, it didn't actually ask me to go through that process (yet!) and I could redeem some points ... you can only do two redeems per day for NZ$50 gift cards each, so will take a few days to get all my money out of them and then I can close the account. But it looks like Valued Opinions will have to be a write off. 馃槩 I emailed them saying I couldn't take a selfie photo, and their response was just "borrow someone's cellphone".
    • yes
      • Congratulations on not having a mobile phone...having one should never be compulsory...it is an infringement of your basic human rights...if the banks or government expect you to have one let THEM pay for it....
        • View all 3 replies
        • surely they would make that deal before you commence doing surveys
        • Andrew C 287196boy blunder
          I've been doing surveys there for a long time (hence the large amount of accumulated points), but the changes to their redemption rules to require first phone verification (which in this case allows landlines) and now photo ID verification are new. Like any other company, the legalese small print you agree to means they can change the rules whenever they feel like it. 馃檨
        • boy blunderAndrew C 287196
          sheers bloke for info but that well an truly sucks, ill be staying away from those guys
      • Checking into the verification website they want people to use, it is based in Estonia and apparently their US server has already had at least one hacking. Certainly NOT something I'd ever upload a photo with my ID to. Looks like I'll probably have to write off those points as unredeemable (all NZ$450 worth!!) and close the account there too. 馃が In case anyone else wants to try to get their points out pronto, the survey website with this insane new rule is Valued Opinions, which also runs Opinion World. Moral of that story: Always redeem your points as soon as possible and do not let them over-accumulate.
        • My neighbor had a site that requested a driver's license and selfie. I was on the same site and never had that request. He sent the survey site an email indicating he was uncomfortable to do that and if there's another way he could confirm his identity, so they actually responded and indicated they would have to send him a check the first time, to be deposited into his bank when he receives it. He agreed and did receive the check and cashed it, and ever since he's had no issues with redeeming his points. I guess what I'm trying to say is email the survey site letting them know you're uncomfortable and see if another solution is offered. I'd hate to see you not be able to redeem your points.
          • View all 4 replies
          • Lucky they do not live in New Zealand. As we are in the 21st Century down here and cheques and are well a thing of the past. They are no longer recognised or accepted down here at all.
          • Holly CatChosen
            Oh wow lol. Here in the US checks/cheques are still used!
          • Banks here in New Zealand are greedy. They are dropping as many services as they can and closing as many branches as they can. They expect everyone to do everything themselves via Internet or phone banking, while the banks still charges ever-rising bank fees for doing very little. 馃檨
          • ChosenAndrew C 287196
            Simple answer is "buy shares in a bank" as most are publicly listed. viz - ANZ Bank Actually foreign cheques will be accepted upto March 2024 in NZ.

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