[Daveo]

RE: problem accessing my pinnacle account.*

So I used pinnacle 2+ years ago, then stopped using them. *I have a small amount of cash in the account. *I'd like to start using them again, but my password doesn't work (or I forgot it). *No big deal, right, just submit a request for a new password. *Only problem is as I'm no longer a customer of a particular internet provider, I also no longer have access to the email address which i used to sign up for pinnacle in the first place. *And pinnacle refuses to send me a new password to a different email address, which is understandable.*

So I contacted pinnacle, and they won't let me open a new account, but they will send me a new password for my existing account (to my new email address) only if I submit to them "1) A copy of your ID (passport /driver's license)
2) A copy of a utility bill with your name as proof of address".*

I'm a little wary of emailing them a copy of my passport or drivers liscece, especially in this age of identity theft. *So again, I'm stuck. *

Can anyone provide some advice on what I can do here? *I'd like to use pinnacle as they are a really good sports book with low juice. *Has anyone else had the same issue?

Thanks!

Daveo

[sapidoc]

Seems like Pinny has the security in place to protect your account against possible scams. You should be thrilled at this!

Now, if you had to pick a sportsbook to trust your documents with... would it not be Pinny?

You could visit their office in person and bring your documents. But it may just be cheaper to get 1-month of internet at your old internet provider, get the email you had before, and then do the password reset using the email address attached to your account!

[prop]

I had the same situation happen, I was living in the US when Pinnacle closed to that market and then after moving couldn't remember my password. I emailed them a scan of my ID and utility and they sent it to my new email address in under and hour. If you bet online the IDs you're being asked to send are something you'll have to provide sportsbooks at one point or another anyways.

[Daveo]

In what other circumstance would you have to provide a copy of your passport or driver's license?

[Daveo]

But it may just be cheaper to get 1-month of internet at your old internet provider, get the email you had before, and then do the password reset using the email address attached to your account!

I tried this, the Internet provider can't for some reason. It is impressive in a sense that pinnacle isn't just emailing me a new password without verifying my identity...but picture ID? I thought that was going too far.

[sapidoc]

In what other circumstance would you have to provide a copy of your passport or driver's license?

Cashout?

I tried this, the Internet provider can't for some reason. It is impressive in a sense that pinnacle isn't just emailing me a new password without verifying my identity...but picture ID? I thought that was going too far.

The internet provider can't what? Other than picture ID how should they verify you?

Again, I don't think you need to worry about Pinny stealing your identity. They are top of the list in terms of legitimacy.

[Daveo]

Cashout?



The internet provider can't what? Other than picture ID how should they verify you?

Again, I don't think you need to worry about Pinny stealing your identity. They are top of the list in terms of legitimacy.

My old Internet provider can sign me up for 1 month, but for some reason they can't give me my old email address.

I didn't know you'd need to provide picture ID to get a payout. I'm guessing it depends on how big the payout is? I'm a bit of a rookie.

I'm sure pinny is good at protecting documents, buy I'm hesitant to provide a copy of my passport or driver's liscence to any company. In an ideal world I could show it to them in person, but they don't keep a copy.

Also, what good is picture ID to pinny, considering they can't verify that I look like the picture of me?

Thanks for your tips / comments.

[SBR Lou]

Daveo,

I think you're being unreasonable. If you're in possession of your ID and a utility bill, just submit it to Pinnacle and get on with it.

Be grateful these measures are in place.

[sapidoc]

My old Internet provider can sign me up for 1 month, but for some reason they can't give me my old email address. I didn't know you'd need to provide picture ID to get a payout. I'm guessing it depends on how big the payout is? I'm a bit of a rookie. I'm sure pinny is good at protecting documents, buy I'm hesitant to provide a copy of my passport or driver's liscence to any company. In an ideal world I could show it to them in person, but they don't keep a copy. Also, what good is picture ID to pinny, considering they can't verify that I look like the picture of me? Thanks for your tips / comments.

Strange about the provider... but then I guess your only option is to send the details.

I'm guessing this is the first time you've had to provide the information so they will probably use this as a 'base' for any other changes to your account in the future. They are verifying your Name, identity, and where you live (utility bill). It is pretty standard practice.

I would be 100x more concerned with some kid making $9/hr working at a car rental place which also photocopies your ID before you rent a car, to steal my identity than someone working at Pinny in security.

Maybe the local bar, which holds your ID while you rent out the pool table with your friends. Maybe he steals your identity too.

It is not your fault if someone steals your identity, but if you are really worried, sign up for life-lock or some other identity protection service, because Pinny should be the least of your worries.

[crjohnson32]

In what other circumstance would you have to provide a copy of your passport or driver's license?

Walking into a real casino to place a bet?

[Daveo]

You guys bring up some good points.

For now I'll probably simply not use pinny, there are plenty of other good sportsbooks.

[prop]

Hi Daveo - its actually pretty standard that account verification must be done prior to withdrawal at most sites and the need to send in a copy of ID and utility bill is quite common.

Of course you need to access the money already in your Pinnacle account so this doesn't help. However for future reference, one site I know of where you might be able to avoid doing this is Bet365. For people concerned with identity theft they'll allow them to call in and read all digits and symbols from the bottom of their passport which they then enter into their age verification system while you're on the phone and consider you verified. From here they'll postal mail whatever sensitive information is involved to you (provided you've already confirmed your account via this method). It comes in a very anonymous envelop when dealing with sensitive information or sending to countries where gambling might be an issue. There maybe other UK based bookmakers that offer similar (these guys are little more advanced because they deal more with legal markets), but its not common.

Outside the exceptions at some UK bookmakers you should understand verifying your identity prior to cashing out is pretty much standard operating procedure and ID and utility bill is the method required by most. It is something all bookmakers require. The reason they don't have to worry a ton about deposits is that money is never at risk. If a fraudulent account deposits and loses and then charges back the bookmaker has lost nothing. When a player is withdrawing however, they now need to make sure this account was legitimate because if they don't and some charges back they were victim of a freeroll and are without a recovery mechanism. It makes a lot of sense when thinking it out. And to add for your comment "depends on the amount" no not really. If you deposit $1,000 and lose $850.00 of it decide to quit gambling and want the remaining $150.00 most sites will look to confirm your account was legitimate before issuing that $150.00. This is very standard.

Edit to add if using the same banking method this is a one time verification - you will not need to repeat it for each withdrawal.

[sapidoc]

You guys bring up some good points. For now I'll probably simply not use pinny, there are plenty of other good sportsbooks.

All sportsbooks will request this at some point... just letting you know now. If you read the agreements or Terms of Service for any of these sites it is all spelled out to you.

If I were you, I'd stick with Pinny for the reasons you mentioned in your original post, and the reasons I have added. You can't avoid this. If you are worried, sign up for lifelock or other.

Good luck Daveo!