[alan999]

I've got a BBI offshore account and am in the process of arranging for someone to exchange currency. Following what has been written here I am opening accounts with Moneycorp and HiFX.

With Moneycorp, I registered and they have e-mailed me wanting scans of my passport and utility bill e-mailing back, not encrypted or internally or anything. Is this safe? I mean with those two documents anyone could do more or less anything in my name. There is an option to post them, but I am concerned that this seemingly cavalier attitude to security might be the norm thoroughout their system.

Any thoughts, or am I paranoid?

[Familyofmonkeys]

I've got a BBI offshore account and am in the process of arranging for someone to exchange currency. Following what has been written here I am opening accounts with Moneycorp and HiFX.

With Moneycorp, I registered and they have e-mailed me wanting scans of my passport and utility bill e-mailing back, not encrypted or internally or anything. Is this safe? I mean with those two documents anyone could do more or less anything in my name. There is an option to post them, but I am concerned that this seemingly cavalier attitude to security might be the norm thoroughout their system.

Any thoughts, or am I paranoid?

We have had no problems with moneycorp....found them very security concious. They do take some steps to prevent money laundering, and need to verify who you are.

[alan999]

Thanks for replying but it isn't the security steps they take I'm unhappy about, it is sending very personal information by a highly insecure method that worries me.

[Familyofmonkeys]

I supposed you could send copies by recorded delivery, a bit of a pain I suppose, but at least you get proof it goes to right place.

[granger]

Don't use them. If you have any doubts about security, go elsewhere. Don't take risks with your personal data. Alternatively, why not just use your bank to do it? Tell them what rate/costs your getting from the brokers and ask them to match it - that is if the bank's normal rates are less competitive than the brokers in the first place. Most banks are happy to get your business by matching competitor's rates and it saves you all the fuss of going through a third party and having to open new accounts. If you still want to go through a broker just use a broker you have no concerns about. It's your identity that's at stake.

[Tia Maria]

alan999,

I'm not sure if this helps but I'm pretty sure when we registered with XE.com and had to send photos of passport etc we used a secure form on their website.

Maybe register with them instead if you are unsure about Moneycorp's security?

Cheers

Tia

[stejude]

Guard any personal details you have. I was ripped off 18 months ago using a phone scam, how they got my personal details I'll never and I am still chasing my bank for redress. Never again will I conduct any business over the phone or the internet, I prefer to deal in person. Just my thoughts from bitter experience.

[Familyofmonkeys]

Guard any personal details you have. I was ripped off 18 months ago using a phone scam, how they got my personal details I'll never and I am still chasing my bank for redress. Never again will I conduct any business over the phone or the internet, I prefer to deal in person. Just my thoughts from bitter experience.

It is very easy to get hold of peoples personal details in UK. Anyone who has a copy of your signature and knows address could apply to Experian and get copy of your credit history with details of all your accounts and things. Also surprising, but pretty much anyone can also go to a registry office and request a copy of your birth certificate if they know you date and place of birth and parents maiden names etc!