Gunbroker asking for personal information

[wantmoresmiths]

Today I received an e-mail with an account statement from Gunbroker actually charging me $2.00 for the identity verification.

 

[machete]

From Gunbroker's website:
"Our email notifications will include the first and last name you registered with on your GunBroker.com account, and your GunBroker.com User Name"

Did the email you received contain your first and last name, and your user name? If not, it most likely did not come from Gunbroker.

Another thought - was the credit card you have registered with Gunbroker reported as lost or stolen, or has it expired?

No, this is from Gunbroker. It's their new program. They run you in Equifax, and they charge you $2.00 for it.

What isn't clear is whether they then report your information back to Equifax.

http://forum.opencarry.org/forums/s...equiring-credit-reports-by-Equifax-to-sign-up

 

[luangtom]

That "770" prefix is a GA phone-number. Is GB located there? Reverse look-up said this is a Broadwing
Communications LLC number.

 

[DeadAye]

Does this help?
Gunbroker.com address (sort of - it's a PO box) and phone number.

 

[machete]

It's a lot worse than anyone has discussed.

They use an Equifax system called Eidverifier.

From Equifax:

Equifax eIDverifier™ has the reliable answer
you’re looking for

To help you answer this question, Equifax has developed Equifax eIDverifier,™ a unique and patented online authentication tool that takes identification beyond fraud checks and data matching, using ‘shared secret’ information known only by the consumer and Equifax.

Two simple steps is all it takes

Through a simple two-step process, Equifax eIDverifier™ verifies the residency and identity of an applicant, and also checks for discrepancies by cross checking the name and address information supplied against a number of industry leading databases.

Step 1
Equifax eIDverifier™ verifies an applicant’s residency and cross
checks any identity elements supplied by the applicant by running checks against a number of industry leading databases.

Step 2
Using ‘shared secret’ information known only by the potential
customer and Equifax, Equifax eIDverifier™ presents the applicant with multiple-choice questions to answer online.

___________________________________

Turns out, when they verify you, it appears on your credit report.

https://www.edeposit.com/docs/help_equifax.cfm

Equifax Identity Verification performs several checks, including social security and driver’s license number, as well as home address and telephone number verifications. In addition, a soft inquiry is made into the customer’s credit file to verify a person’s identity by asking a few very specific questions that only the true individual can answer about themselves, such as past home address, names of mortgage banks, amount of monthly loan installments, etc.

FAQs : Personal & Business Finance Services : Provident Bank of NJ

Will this affect my credit rating?
The Equifax Identity Verification system will not affect your credit rating; it simply makes a soft inquiry into your credit file.

What is a soft inquiry?
A soft inquiry is used to verify information on your credit record with the information provided on the application form. It does not reveal any personal credit information to eIDverifier . When looking at your next credit report, you will see an inquiry from eIDverifier on the date you opened your account.
___________________________________

Since Gunbroker does not tell you that they are running an Equifax report on you and does not give you an option to decline, and since they have presumably done this to thousands of customers, these guys are looking at a world of exposure and governmental penalties. If someone is looking in your credit file, they need explicit consent.

I encourage anyone hurt by this to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/FTC_Wizard.aspx?Lang=en#last

Tag: Equifax Extended Verification $2.00 Gunbroker.com GBHOLDCO GB Holdco, Inc. GB Investments

 

[Beemerguy53]

Machete, thanks for posting "the rest of the story here"...you've done us all a huge favor, and validated my decision not to deal with or through GB anymore.

 

[LVSteve]

Since Gunbroker does not tell you that they are running an Equifax report on you and does not give you an option to decline, and since they have presumably done this to thousands of customers, these guys are looking at a world of exposure and governmental penalties. If someone is looking in your credit file, they need explicit consent.

....which might be hidden way in the depths of their terms of service. I have yet to look, but if it is not there then they have at the very least been badly advised.

 

[machete]

Here's some additional news.

Gunbroker uses Equifax for their Extended Verification.

Steven Urvan owns Gunbroker. The corporate counsel and corporate secretary for many of Steve Urvan's ventures is Kimberly Verska.

Kimberly Verska is married to Stephen Verska. Know where Stephen Verska works?

Why, he's a vice president of Equifax.

Stephen Verska, Vp, Equifax Inc. | Spoke

Stephen Verska | Equifax | Email @equifax.com

 

[snowman]

Are they doing this to buyers as well as sellers?

Andy

 

[TACC1]

Having bought one or two items on G-B, my participation is
based on my trust that bad things won't happen. I've never handed
out financial information to ANY one on the net, and won't be
doing so in the future, either. Trust is a two-way street, & that's IT!
They want my info, they'll have to do without my presence. TACC1

 

[Freischütz]

Gunbroker's terms of service spell all this out.

 

[Freischütz]

You might find this little exchange on the Gunbroker forums interesting for its brevity.

GunBroker.com Message Forums - ACCOUNT FLAGGED????

 

[fftjr]

I have had similar experiences. You cannot talk to anyone. This guy should be out of business. I thought Directtv customer service was bad, GB customer service should be poster child for what customer service should NOT be!

 

[old bear]

grumpy when I refuse Zip Code, telephone and email. If they are dumb enough to ask twice I give them " Do you want to make a sale or not?" with my special evil eye.
Reply With Quote

AS for zip code I don't have a problem giving that out, but if they ask for the rest of the information I nicely, the first time, tell them they don't need that information. If they ask a second time I walk.

 

[RightArm]

Remember when you used to go places to buy things with cash or maybe a check? It seems like there's no places to go to find what you want, other than the net. Maybe we used to do without if we couldn't find it. I am still following the advice from another post and driving to my LGS for everything. I usually have to order through them, but they seem happy to have the business even if they don't like what I'm buying. They better be nice, I pay cash.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Smith-Wesson forum best place to buy Smith's!

This is the reason why I have never done any online auction gun sites. I have enough gun forums that I go to with members' with either high seller ratings or high post count to make a decision of who to trust and who not to trust. I already bought two Smith's here and most likely from now on, the only place to buy Smith's. Who needs GunBroker anyway?

James

 

[627 city hunter]

Eye opening.

Any similar problems with budsgunshop?

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I was a member of the FFA back when and raised first calf heifers to sell. I learned a lot from cattle dealers (who have this down to an art form) that applies to gun sales. Cash talks. Show the $ as you're asking for the best price. It shows the seller (1) you have the cash, and (2) you're serious about making a deal. There's something psychological about a person thumbing through a wad of bills that triggers the sellers impulse to deal. No checks, no credit cards, no waiting for his money, cash in hand now.

 

[S&WOkie]

Are they doing this to buyers as well as sellers?

Andy

They asked for my DL and utility bills when I first tried to open an account, about six months ago.

I was wanting to see ended auction sell prices, and had to create an account first.

I never bowed to their wishes.

 

[stantheman86]

I would not give this information just to be able to buy and sell on GunBroker............

They SHOULD NOT be asking for this info, just to use an online gun listing site? No way, the transactions are between the buyer and seller, and all GunBroker needs is a credit card on file to charge you IF you have a "seller's account". If you just want to buy, you shouldn't have to provide anything. GunBroker is only a "middleman" to connect sellers and buyers, they have no active hand in the transaction. I don't see why they need to verify financial information.

It may be an effort to stop "shill bidding" or ripoff artists, but still, there's got to be another way.

If it came down to it, I would just stop using GB, I probably should anyway..........