Scan driver's license and send through email for Wyndham transfer?

[asdfasdf]

I recently purchased a Wyndham timeshare through Ebay and the person working on the closing has asked me to scan my driver's license and my wife's and email them to her. Is this safe and normal? Thanks!

 

[dioxide45]

Not much on a drivers licence that can be used to rip you off. I think most states removed the drivers SSN from cards years ago.

A lot of the big timeshare companies require some form of ID to complete the transfer. You could also scan it and email it to them I suppose. Snail mail might be a little more secure since tampering with it is a crime and if used to rip you off, it could be considered mail fraud. Though someone finding your one email sent with it as an attachment out of the millions that are sent every day is pretty low.

 

[asdfasdf]

Not much on a drivers licence that can be used to rip you off. I think most states removed the drivers SSN from cards years ago.

A lot of the big timeshare companies require some form of ID to complete the transfer. You could also scan it and email it to them I suppose. Snail mail might be a little more secure since tampering with it is a crime and if used to rip you off, it could be considered mail fraud. Though someone finding your one email sent with it as an attachment out of the millions that are sent every day is pretty low.

Thank you for your response!

 

[JudyS]

I have also had timeshare sellers ask for my Driver's License. I edit the picture to remove my birthdate, which reduces the chance of identity theft.

 

[asdfasdf]

I have also had timeshare sellers ask for my Driver's License. I edit the picture to remove my birthdate, which reduces the chance of identity theft.

Oh shoot...I already sent it lol. Thanks though!

 

[JudyS]

Oh shoot...I already sent it lol. Thanks though!

I don't think leaving the birthdate is a big risk. I simply remove it because it is easy to do and the seller doesn't need the information.

 

[taffy19]

Ask if you can FAX it as that is safer.

 

[theo]

Ask if you can FAX it as that is safer.

IMnsHO, the method of delivery is of distantly secondary concern. Of much greater concern is protection and limitation of the information within the document.

It is understandable and reasonable to request (indeed, require) some form of identification to verify that the individual is real and not just fictitious.
That being said, it is both unwise and unnecessary to provide excessive information that can be abused in the future in potential identity theft attempts.
Remember, you have absolutely no control over who might obtain the information in the future, even if the initial recipient is honest and of pure intent.

Sure, by all means send them a photocopy of your driver's license by mail or fax, but redact (black out) the license number and your date of birth first.
Tell them if they really need those unnecessary details, they can obtain them directly from the RMV (which certainly won't release that info either, btw).

They need to know that you really exist and have an address --- that's all. They don't need (and are certainly not entitled to) any irrelevant and unnecessary personal details or information beyond that which is required to verify your existence. Be smart --- protect your personal information.

 

[Talent312]

Sometimes, in the past, when I rented a canoe, the outfitter wanted to hold onto my DL as security for the canoe... I 'spose so I won't drive off with it. I never saw any harm in it.

OTOH, with a DL# + b'date one could, theoretically, do interesting things with DMV records on the government website.
.

 

[SMHarman]

Buying a timeshare is usually a real estate transaction (some are RTU or trust). In the US RE transactions need to verify the buyer and seller due to patriot act and other kyc requirements.

Even if it is a $1 purchase it is still a RE transaction.

 

[WinniWoman]

I faxed and mailed copies of our drivers licenses when we acquired a resale.

 

[theo]

Buying a timeshare is usually a real estate transaction (some are RTU or trust). In the US RE transactions need to verify the buyer and seller due to patriot act and other kyc requirements.

Even if it is a $1 purchase it is still a RE transaction.

All very true, but there is still no need to provide any more personal information than is necessary to fulfill identification requirements in the transaction.

 

[SMHarman]

All very true, but there is still no need to provide any more personal information than is necessary to fulfill identification requirements in the transaction.

Agreed but a full unadulterated driver licence is likely to be adequate but not excessive.

 

[dioxide45]

Buying a timeshare is usually a real estate transaction (some are RTU or trust). In the US RE transactions need to verify the buyer and seller due to patriot act and other kyc requirements.

Even if it is a $1 purchase it is still a RE transaction.

I believe that date of birth is a secondary form of verification if there is a hit when they go through Patriot Act requirements. If there is a name match to the OFAC watch list, they use DOB to rule the person out as being the same as the person on the list.