I'm very disappointed in something NewEgg has just done. I've ordered from them for over a year for both home and work, have spent over 25 grand for work alone in the past several months, and have never had a charge disputed. However, now when trying to check out, I'm directed to an external site to activate the 'Verified by Visa' service on my card. I thought it was because of my bank and called them, leaving a voice mail chewing them out. Turns out that this is a policy implemented by NewEgg; I e-mailed them and just received a response.
A) I'm not willing to enter my social security number and phone number into a system (that was not encrypted at the screen to enter the information) such as this. It would need to be a central repository for all the information needed for identity theft and is secured by a password. I don't know about you guys, but I know enough about computers to know enough not to trust them. I also read about enough exploits to realize that no system is secure, regardless of the assurances I am given. (This is aside from the fact that my social security number is nobody's damn business except mine, my employers, and the IRS.)
B) How do you think it would go over for me to ask the owner of my business for personal information such as this?
There's no way to disable this for specific accounts, so to order online, I am required to use this service. NewEgg did give me the option of calling in after placing every order with the credit card information. This will be a royal PITA though, especially given the number of orders I frequently place at work from NewEgg. It's also something that I don't think I should need to do. Further, it makes no logical sense - why require the use of the VBV system online and not require it's use when a disembodied voice calls and spews out the information over the phone?
I hate to say it, but I've got to start looking for other places to shop. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what retailers I should consider?
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