I did (used a male name but Im female). They blocked my account, accusing me of being in debt with them (false) and calling to identify myself to get my money back or what I bought changed nothing.

Now I have 90 Euros blocked in an amazon account and a hotline staffed with people with heavy east Asian accents and poor language skills that won’t help and Im unsure about how to proceed.

ETA: I like using amazon for the prices but I don’t want them to know my bank account number of too much information about me and each time I need something from them I create a new account with a false name, buy, pay and ignore the account. I wonder if this triggered some automated alarm.

BTW: is this illegal? to buy using a false name (an alias). Im in Germany if that helps.

  • Lengsel@latte.isnot.coffeeEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Check EU laws and German laws.

    I believe it’s a crime to present a fake ID to where verification for security purposes is required, but telling a person a different name is not or should not be a criminal offense.

    You being Anne, there is no offense to sign up as Robert. But it is a crime for Anne to show Susie’s ID for a package.

    Amazon may be doing that for legitimate security reasons but also data mining purposes.

  • Nix@lemmy.worldEnglish
    01·
    1 year ago

    I have always used a realistic but totally fake name with Amazon (and other country specific tld) and any other online merchants. However, I always use my full name on my credit card (or family member credit card if I purchase on their behalf). Moreover, for delivery I use another real name (only her first name) to be sure they deliver to the right person who is always available.

    This is probably a new security thing for new accounts, my Amazon accounts are from 2009~2011 and I regularly use them (daily even).

    This is so that if there is a breach/hack at the merchants system my own exposure is as limited as possible or as messy as possible (i have multiple different addresses and multiple different names in each account, some not valid anymore because someone or I moved or changed cards).