However, after signing up and giving them my CC info, I was informed that my signup had triggered DO's automatic abuse detection and I needed to submit some supplemental information. I complied and submitted my name, physical location, phone number, and my personal twitter account as asked. Fair enough, I thought.

I then received another request, this time stating To help us verify your identity, please send us a scan of your government-issued photo ID or passport to [email protected]

Now, I like to think that I am not as stringent or even disciplined when it comes to privacy or shared data. However, am I off-base to feel that this request is beyond reasonable? I know the practical answer is "If you think it's unreasonable, take your business elsewhere". I understand that and may well do so (e.g. Linode).

I am in Canada and I do know that in the US it is common for merchants to ask for photo ID along with CC, but I am much more comfortable flashing my ID card in a brick & mortar store than I am sending a digital scan to an online business I have no experience or relationship with.

When I googled this type of request, I couldn't find previous references to it. How do people feel about DO asking for government photo ID to go along with CC information? Is this a common practice that I am just not informed about?