Thinking of shopping at Shopee? Be careful -- they need a photo of your passport if you need a refund

[casumb]

I recently bought an item on Shopee, a mobile shopping app. Everything was paid for, but the seller said that the item was sold out. OK, I then asked for a refund, which the seller promptly gave. 

 

But I found out later that in order for the refund to be transferred to the customer's bank account, the first page of our passport along with other sensitive information (your name, your address, etc.) must be submitted electronically, so Shopee could "verify our identity," or at least that's what they claim. 

 

I contacted their CS twice, and they both insisted that I follow the guideline. Well, I don't think I am going to do so, and I guess I will have to have my refund forfeited.

 

I am writing this to share with you the information you may want to know before making a purchase at Shopee.

 

Edited January 19, 2019 by casumb

[BestB]

Be thankful they changed their policy and would accept passport, previously refund to bank account must be Thai only . As stupid as it sounds refund has to be processed to a Thai ID card and Thai name bank account 

 

most certainly not foreigner friendly site ????

[KMartinHandyman]

Not sure how much different that is than a credit card transaction in the states which requires your address etc. The passport requirement is rather routine as we’re in another country. It’s needed for a SIM card, money exchange, hotel stay etc.

[casumb]

Thank you for your input. ????

 

But in the past, all they needed was for me to link my bank account to their account. The refund was quite smooth.

 

Now, you need to take a photo of you holding a passport & a separate photo of your passport.

As someone earlier reported, they do not accept a photo with a watermark or anything saying "For Shopee Use Only." They need clean photos. (At the bank or a phone shop, you could protect yourself by writing on the photocopy "For XXXX Use Only")

 

Well, what concerns me is I do not trust the site. It is not a financial institution or anything alike. They might use a photo of my passport, my DOB, passport number, or other information to open a bank account or for other purposes, etc.

 

I should have known this. Too bad...

 

P.S. For Thai citizens, they are required to submit a photo of them holding their ID card, and a photo of their ID card, and the number both on the front and back of the card (just like the credit card number PLUS their CVV number on the back). Many are wondering why the need the information on the back (or the equivalent of CVV)??!!?!?

Edited January 19, 2019 by casumb

[CharlieH]

why not ask for a credit/voucher and buy something else ? better than losing the money.

 

Just a suggestion.

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, casumb said:

Thank you for your input. ????

 

But in the past, all they needed was for me to link my bank account to their account. The refund was quite smooth.

 

Now, you need to take a photo of you holding a passport & a separate photo of your passport.

As someone earlier reported, they do not accept a photo with a watermark or anything saying "For Shopee Use Only." They need clean photos. (At the bank or a phone shop, you could protect yourself by writing on the photocopy "For XXXX Use Only")

 

Well, what concerns me is I do not trust the site. It is not a financial institution or anything alike. They might use a photo of my passport, my DOB, passport number, or other information to open a bank account or for other purposes, etc.

 

I should have known this. Too bad...

 

P.S. For Thai citizens, they are required to submit a photo of them holding their ID card, and a photo of their ID card, and the number both on the front and back of the card (just like the credit card number PLUS their CVV number on the back). Many are wondering why the need the information on the back (or the equivalent of CVV)??!!?!?

 

" Well, what concerns me is I do not trust the site. It is not a financial institution or anything alike. They might use a photo of my passport, my DOB, passport number, or other information to open a bank account or for other purposes, etc."

 

I don't know if it's still happening but several years back scammers were using passport front pages to open bogus health insurance policies:

 

- Start policy using stolen copy of passport.

- Pay the premium

- Wait a few weeks

- Start submitting claims for long hospital stays / major surgery, all bogus, fake medical reports bills supplied by doctor / nurse part of the scamming gang.

- Get massive reimbursements, well in excess of the original premium paid.

- Wait a month or whatever, start the whole process again. 

 

[casumb]

53 minutes ago, CharlieH said:

why not ask for a credit/voucher and buy something else ? better than losing the money.

 

Just a suggestion.

Great idea.... 

[casumb]

17 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

" Well, what concerns me is I do not trust the site. It is not a financial institution or anything alike. They might use a photo of my passport, my DOB, passport number, or other information to open a bank account or for other purposes, etc."

 

I don't know if it's still happening but several years back scammers were using passport front pages to open bogus health insurance policies:

 

- Start policy using stolen copy of passport.

- Pay the premium

- Wait a few weeks

- Start submitting claims for long hospital stays / major surgery, all bogus, fake medical reports bills supplied by doctor / nurse part of the scamming gang.

- Get massive reimbursements, well in excess of the original premium paid.

- Wait a month or whatever, start the whole process again. 

 

Yeah.... that exactly what I was worried about.

[fruitman]

Thanks, i'll never use shopee...

[JayBird]

Lazada not ask for any information to refund to my credit card.

Sent from my ASUS_Z017DB using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[NaDu]

why anybody would buy anything on shoppee is the real question ?

[Henryford]

Exactly why you should only use Lazada and COD. Shoppe is impossible to use anyway because it is only in Thai.

[lopburi3]

On 1/21/2019 at 6:49 AM, NaDu said:

why anybody would buy anything on shoppee is the real question ?

Lower prices (even from same stores) - better selection - faster service - direct bank payments - better selling platform - an index that works - smaller quantities?  Have just started using and very impressed after using Lazada/Aliexpress/Ebay for years.  No official translation to English but Chrome translate of main page seems to get everything into English quite well.  For sign up if you click data fields English becomes available below (had no problem opening account).

[myshem]

But Thai are saying that shoppee prices are cheaper than Lazada, is it your experience ?

[myshem]

On 2/25/2019 at 7:38 PM, lopburi3 said:

Lower prices (even from same stores) - better selection - faster service - direct bank payments - better selling platform - an index that works - smaller quantities?  Have just started using and very impressed after using Lazada/Aliexpress/Ebay for years.  No official translation to English but Chrome translate of main page seems to get everything into English quite well.  For sign up if you click data fields English becomes available below (had no problem opening account).

 

Can I know what you have found cheaper than lazada ? or aliexpress ? thanks.

[lopburi3]

Medical item that requires replacement - box of 10 on Lazada 1790 and on Shopee 1300 - same seller. 

 

Just used for imported dishwasher detergent tabs at reasonable cost (288-308 w/shipping for 30) - used to get on Ebay from seller in Spain but he gone - others do not have.  Imported but got in 6 days and work good.   

 

Edited March 7, 2019 by lopburi3

[samsensam]

 

surely if a refund is going to the account/card it originated from; bank account, debit/credit card, paypal account then no additional identification should be necessary...?