Does an online retailer such, such as one of the big photo/video retailers, have the legal right to request scanned images of the front and back of your credit card? Seems to me that's giving them too much info since the PIN number and the signature appear on the back. And no telling where they'll store the scanned images, or how they'll delete them eventually.

Just wondering... since I reside overseas they're requesting that. Thing is, my bank is a U.S. bank, the card is from the same bank, one of the biggest, and my primary address and shipping address are the same as what's listed on the card account. So really, I don't understand why it's necessary. The credit card company, which is well-known, has already gone through the process of verfication. All they'd have to do is run the card and see if it clears.

The main thing I worry about though is MY security...which they don't seem to be considering.

I would suggest contacting your creditcard firm about this. See
what they have to say. I never had this request. Once they wanted
me to send a fax to confirm my details, but never photo's of my
CC. I would probably buy at another company.

I can understand this when you are overseas and the bank in the USA. I had to do this with a go between company when hiring software programmers. One reason was the amount of funds, but the other was the fact that the parties are all in different countries. Now if I had to do this every time I ordered some DVD-R disc or MiniDV tape it would drive me nuts.

John - I guess they have the right to ask for anything they want, but personally I wouldn't do it. Everything is negotiable so you could try and find a way around by getting on the phone and working your way through their sales/customr service folk. Or... just buy from someone else.

The idea of making a copy of your signature and credit card number and giving it to soomeone else is a little unerving. If it's something they eventualky just throw in the trash, who knows where it'll end up and what could happen in your name.