razer Razer asks for your employment information if you buy something on Razer online store

[badhusband]

Apparently, Razer is now trying to collect your employment and identity information whenever you try to order something online in their RazerStore. It happens when I try to get my hands on the new Razer Blade 15, and 1 day after I made the order, an email was sent to me saying:

 

```

Hi, XXX(my name).

Here at Razer, we believe it is our duty to protect the security of our customers. For your protection, order number XXXXXX(my order number), is currently being reviewed to ensure that your identity has not been compromised. Please be aware that Razer is committed to the security and protection of our customers.

For us to verify your identity, we are requesting that we speak to you over a verified number at your place of business. Please provide us with the following information:

• Company name/employer

• The city in which you work in

• The location/office/branch if your company has multiple locations within the same city

• The best time to contact you

 

We apologize if this may have caused you any inconvenience. Rest assured that we have your best interests in mind. We will do everything we can to assist you with obtaining the products you desire. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reply to this email.

We thank you for your patience and understanding. Have a good one.

 

Sincerely,

Team RazerStore

```

 

I was pretty confused at first and thought is was a scam, but the sender was ordersupport@razer.com, the order number is completely correct, and I searched on Google and find other people facing the same issue, links:

 

https://insider.razer.com/index.php?threads/has-anyone-else-asked-for-photo-i-d-to-make-a-purchase.27532/

 

After I explained that I'm a student and do not have a full time job, they replied:

 

```

Hi, XXX.

 

Thank you for your email.

To help us validate your information, we would like to request to kindly reply to this email using your school email address (EDU email) with a screenshot of your official school class schedule as your attachment. When you do a screenshot of your class schedule, kindly make sure that the school's URL link/web site and your complete name is clearly shown.

 

We apologize if this may have cause you inconvenience. Please know that Razer always make sure that the customer's orders are being validated thoroughly to ensure that your identity is well protected, secured and won't be compromised, by asking for additional information.

 

We do appreciate your time and understanding on this matter. We shall eagerly wait for your response.

Sincerely,

 

Team RazerStore

```

 

Why are they doing this? They are not a bank or insurance company, that needs absolute confirmation about who you are, and I don't think any other computer manufacturer or even retailer demands this level of personal information when customers try to buy a laptop. 

Even though they keep saying that it's for `YOUR identity to be secure`, I do not feel like giving them everything about me is any different from being compromised.

Moreover, I did not make the purchase using my Razer account, which means if I give them my personal data, I will have no way of modifying and deleting it. Although I'm not protected by GDPR because I'm buying it from the U.S., it's still unacceptable.

 

So I replied to them: 

```

Hi,

 

I do not know why all of a sudden Razer starts to collect user information in this way, cannot see how these requested information is related with purchase of this product in anyway, and is concerned about how my information is shared and maintained by Razer. Because I am not making this order with a Razer account, my information given to Razer cannot be accessed, modified or deleted even by myself, which is unacceptable for me.

 

I will not give Razer any additional information about myself beyond my previous emails, and would like to cancel this order XXXXXX for a full refund.

 

Best,

My name

```

 

Another thing is that I bought a Razer Blade 14 last year from Razer online store, and none of this happened. 

I am worried about the direction Razer is going. I'm canceling my order, and others too. 

Edited June 2, 2018 by badhusband

[Jurrunio]

I have 3 personal email accounts. 1 for serious business, like Government election stuff, medical stuff, making online purchases etc. Another for more casual things, like LTT forums, YT and online game accounts. The last one for shady stuff I don't want others to see, and I wont give examples for this. Know what? The first two got compromised within a year or two according to haveibeenpwned.com, but the last account is still safe after 4-5 years of use....

 

In short, legit companies collect data for their marketing analysis for profit, then all the data gets 'leaked' somehow and someone else gets to profit. Shady places are better at security, for whatever reason.

[badhusband]

4 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

I have 3 personal email accounts. 1 for serious business, like Government election stuff, medical stuff, making online purchases etc. Another for more casual things, like LTT forums, YT and online game accounts. The last one for shady stuff I don't want others to see, and I wont give examples for this. Know what? The first two got compromised within a year or two according to haveibeenpwned.com, but the last account is still safe after 4-5 years of use....

 

In short, legit companies collect data for their marketing analysis for profit, then all the data gets 'leaked' somehow and someone else gets to profit. Shady places are better at security, for whatever reason.

This isn't new, everyone knows about it. What's new is that Razer is asking it so deliberately and directly, it's almost like robbing data. It would really hurt Razer's PR.

[Jurrunio]

11 minutes ago, badhusband said:

This isn't new, everyone knows about it. What's new is that Razer is asking it so deliberately and directly, it's almost like robbing data. It would really hurt Razer's PR.

Build quality and slow RMA process plagued older Razer products (new ones havent broken yet so no proof), now this PR garbage... Razer is waving razers on their brand image here, as if it wasnt full of scars in the first place.

 

I dont know why are they doing this either. Not like we're working for Razer, but we're the one paying (was paying) them.

[79wjd]

26 minutes ago, badhusband said:

This isn't new, everyone knows about it. What's new is that Razer is asking it so deliberately and directly, it's almost like robbing data. It would really hurt Razer's PR.

11 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

I dont know why are they doing this either. Not like we're working for Razer, but we're the one paying (was paying) them.

I wonder if they might be attempting to prevent credit card fraud. 

 

[badhusband]

4 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

I wonder if they might be attempting to prevent credit card fraud. 

 

That sound like Apple's excuse for downclocking your iPhone saying it's to protect your battery

[79wjd]

1 minute ago, badhusband said:

That sound like Apple's excuse for downclocking your iPhone saying it's to protect your battery

You're right, both sound like reasonable conclusions. 

[Jurrunio]

5 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

I wonder if they might be attempting to prevent credit card fraud. 

 

isnt that like burning the house down because there's a cockroach? Getting my phone number is fine, my work address, company name etc is not.

 

Also what if I'm self-employed? Nah nvm, no Razer customers are self-employed, most cant afford it while others dont play PC games with a laptop.

[Blademaster91]

29 minutes ago, badhusband said:

This isn't new, everyone knows about it. What's new is that Razer is asking it so deliberately and directly, it's almost like robbing data. It would really hurt Razer's PR.

The only reason I can think of Razer wanting more private info is either as mentioned to prevent fraud, or in case they couldn't deliver it to your home address, or maybe way out there but to prevent shipping scams?

It seems weird though, I've never purchased anything from a retailer that asked for employer details. I'd probably purchase it elsewhere or choose another laptop.

[Princess Luna]

Why don't you just buy a laptop from a brand that doesn't suck?

 

If I'm BUYING something, specially in cash, I am literally not in the obligation to prove or provide any personal information like this is a joke.

[79wjd]

7 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

isnt that like burning the house down because there's a cockroach? Getting my phone number is fine, my work address, company name etc is not.

 

Also what if I'm self-employed? Nah nvm, no Razer customers are self-employed, most cant afford it while others dont play PC games with a laptop.

I don't follow the analogy at all. But it's perfectly reasonable to take extra precautions in order to avoid credit card fraud -- Steam does it by locking items for a period of time, Paypal requires you to link a bank account if you want to send more than a total of $500 over the life of the account, etc... 

 

Of course, having to provide your employer and things like it is over the top, but seeing as this has happened before (see the existence of reddit threads), but doesn't happen all the time (see the complete lack of shit show in TN&R) leads me to believe that it only happens with very suspect purchases. Furthermore, the fact that it doesn't happen all the time is pretty good evidence against the data collection idea. 

 

Anyway, if you can't provide employer information, then as can be seen in this case, they are flexible and can use alternative information. 

[Princess Luna]

3 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

Paypal requires you to link a bank account if you want to send more than a total of $500 over the life of the account

Hm? I have been using PayPal for years with only 1 credit card link to it

[badhusband]

2 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

I don't follow the analogy at all. But it's perfectly reasonable to take extra precautions in order to avoid credit card fraud -- Steam does it by locking items for a period of time, Paypal requires you to link a bank account if you want to send more than a total of $500 over the life of the account, etc... 

 

Of course, having to provide your employer and things like it is over the top, but seeing as this has happened before (see the existence of reddit threads), but doesn't happen all the time (see the complete lack of shit show in TN&R) leads me to believe that it only happens with very suspect purchases.

I would say it is the bank's job to make sure it's the right people making the purchase. Literally any legit bank now has a `prove it's you` system for purchases in big numbers, and Razer is not even explaining what they are doing with it. 

[MorganO]

9 minutes ago, Blademaster91 said:

The only reason I can think of Razer wanting more private info is either as mentioned to prevent fraud, or in case they couldn't deliver it to your home address, or maybe way out there but to prevent shipping scams?

It seems weird though, I've never purchased anything from a retailer that asked for employer details. I'd probably purchase it elsewhere or choose another laptop.

no it seems very suspect.

they dont need that information, as for fraud prevention, they could hold the order and send a notification to your bank etc and the bank deal with it.shipping scams

[MorganO]

1 minute ago, badhusband said:

I would say it is the bank's job to make sure it's the right people making the purchase. Literally any legit bank now has a `prove it's you` system for purchases in big numbers, and Razer is not even explaining what they are doing with it. 

this

fraud prevention = bank/credit card company

shipping fraud= send to billing addresss / on the postage carrier

[Princess Luna]

1 minute ago, badhusband said:

.

Reading your OP makes me feel bad personally speaking... I don't get why you still want to give Razer money when there's a lot better alternatives in the market that won't make you go through this nonsense.

[79wjd]

4 minutes ago, Princess Cadence said:

Hm? I have been using PayPal for years with only 1 credit card link to it

A CC or SSN also satisfies the condition. 

 

[badhusband]

1 minute ago, Princess Cadence said:

Reading your OP makes me feel bad personally speaking... I don't get why you still want to give Razer money when there's a lot better alternatives in the market that won't make you go through this nonsense.

I mean it's the only laptop with a 144hz screen that is not MSI...

I plan to use it for the next 5 years, so can invest a lot. 

[Jurrunio]

2 minutes ago, badhusband said:

I mean it's the only laptop with a 144hz screen that is not MSI...

I plan to use it for the next 5 years, so can invest a lot. 

arent there some 120Hz as well?

[badhusband]

1 minute ago, Jurrunio said:

arent there some 120Hz as well?

But they are all TN panels, so hell no LOL.

Now I'm thinking about buying an XPS 15. GJ Razer for forcing me to work more and game less.

[Jenjar]

Razer have been doing this since around the end of last year on purchases over a certain price range, if you look in the Razer Subreddit or Razer Insider there are several posts about them asking and many people thought it was a fake email just looking for information.

They say it is for "Security Reasons" and I kind of believe them, not sure why they go as far as asking for employment information though.

 

I've used Razer Products for over the past five years, but I will never order off the Razer Store itself, mainly because of the custom fees for items coming here to Canada but also now because they want personal information when there are many other less personal ways to confirm bigger orders like this. For Razer and pretty much all other companies I just wait for the item to go to a retail or online store in my country so I don't need to deal with different custom issues, and in the retail store case I could just return it if it is broke instead of having to ship it away and wait months for it to get back.

[Bcat00]

Very sketchy practice but they have their reasons, too many credit frauds going on where someone buys the top of the line stuff.

[Beef Boss]

Just don't put correct information in?? That, or order from somewhere else. I usually keep emails for just different sites and stuff. That or individual ones for accounts. You could too, cause it's free and everything. 

[Spotty]

2 hours ago, badhusband said:

Apparently, Razer is now trying to collect your employment and identity information whenever you try to order something online in their RazerStore. It happens when I try to get my hands on the new Razer Blade 15, and 1 day after I made the order, an email was sent to me saying:

 

2 hours ago, badhusband said:

Here at Razer, we believe it is our duty to protect the security of our customers. For your protection, order number XXXXXX(my order number), is currently being reviewed to ensure that your identity has not been compromised. Please be aware that Razer is committed to the security and protection of our customers.

By any chance were you using a VPN when you placed the order? It's possible that there have been a number of fraudulent purchases made on the same IP by people using the same VPN service. Razer would have flagged the purchase order as being suspicious if it comes from a known suspect IP for further review before allowing it to proceed.

[Razor Blade]

Feel free to copy or distribute this reply email I would have sent.

 

 

Dear Razer:

 

Access Denied

 

Sincerely,

Former customer.