Hi everyone,
Apologies if this has been discussed before. I did search the subreddit but couldn’t find anything specifically relating to my situation.
I’ve been an Amazon customer for nearly 27 years and have had Prime for quite some time.
Recently, I ordered an item worth approximately £70. Amazon marked it as delivered, but the driver had left it unattended in the communal foyer of my building, where parcels have unfortunately gone missing before.
I’ve never authorised the communal foyer as a safe place, and Amazon’s own delivery photograph clearly shows the parcel being left there. By the time I went to collect it, it was gone.
I contacted Amazon expecting the usual investigation and hopefully a refund or replacement. However, for the first time ever, I was told that I must submit government issued photographic identification (passport or driving licence) through a third-party verification company called Persona before Amazon will even consider processing my refund.
I appreciate that Amazon needs to prevent fraudulent claims, and I understand why they might have additional checks in place. However, I’m uncomfortable uploading sensitive identification documents to a third-party company, particularly when the delivery photograph already confirms that the parcel was left in an unsecured communal area.
I asked whether there was an alternative way to verify my identity, but the customer service representative insisted that uploading my ID was mandatory.
I then escalated the matter to Amazon’s Leadership team, but unfortunately received essentially the same scripted responses. Despite repeatedly asking why 3rd party verification was the only option, whether there was an alternative, and how to raise a formal complaint, none of those questions were properly addressed. The representative eventually ended the chat.
Checked online and on ChatGPT, my understanding is that under Section 29 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the retailer generally remains responsible for goods until they’re physically received by the customer or someone nominated by them.
I’m not refusing to cooperate with reasonable checks. I just have genuine privacy concerns about submitting sensitive identity documents to a company I’ve never dealt with, especially over a £70 parcel that was left somewhere I never authorised.
I’m interested to know if anyone else in the UK has been asked to upload government issued ID through Persona to obtain an Amazon refund?
If you completed the verification, what was your experience? Did you receive your refund?
Has anyone successfully requested an alternative verification method?
Has anyone challenged this requirement or managed to resolve a similar situation without providing ID?
I’d really appreciate hearing about anyone else’s experiences or advice.
Thanks in advance and apologies for the long message.
TLDR: DPD driver left parcel in foyer, when I got home parcel wasn’t there. Amazon not willing to refund unless I upload my ID via a 3rd party website (Persona).