Another confusing issue with providing information to Linden Lab has reared its head this week, this time in the shape and form of a forum post from a resident who was confused as to why she had received an email from Linden Lab asking for account information and ID.
The reason was soon explained by Linden Lab in the form of a blog post : Required Account Documentation in which Linden Lab announced:
“In addition to required tax documentation (which we blogged about in November 2013), US law separately requires that institutions such as Linden Lab obtain, verify, and record information confirming the identification of account holders who submit a certain volume and/or amount of Process Credit Requests.
We have recently begun emailing users who need to submit this information. If you receive such a notice from us, you will need to follow the instructions and provide the required documentation within thirty (30) days.”
Now ignoring the usual issues such as people finding out and being confused about matters before people have been informed about said issue by Linden Lab, this raises another issue, that of ID in the digital age. The email the user was sent asks for the same forms to be filled in as in the case of those being asked for tax documentation, but the required account information also asks for the following in this particular case:
“In addition to the form itself, we are required to obtain a copy of your government-issued photo identification (ID). The information on the ID must be current (i.e. not expired) and must match the information you submitted on the form.
Please attach a copy of your identification to this Case. The copy must be clearly legible (full color, no smudges or blurs) and must be fully intact (no cut-off portions, no redacted information).
The following are acceptable forms of photo ID:
• Driver’s license
• Military ID card
• Passport
• Any other form of government-issued photo ID
If your photo ID does not display your address, you must also provide us with a copy of a current utility or telephone bill. The name and address to which the bill is addressed must match the photo ID.
In the meantime, it is necessary for us to place a hold on any and all Process Credit Requests for your account until we receive your form and supporting documentation.”
This therefore goes further than the required tax documentation. Why some people are being asked for this is a little cloudy, but it appears to be due to the amount of money or number of times they process credit. This is required by US law so Linden Lab must comply, so Linden Lab are doing their job here. However why do so many different companies need the same information to be submitted over and over and over again in this day and age? This should be less complicated but there are large hurdles in the way.
Continue reading “ID Still A Big Challenge In The Digital Age”