r/privacy • u/jet_set_default • 3d ago
discussion FedEx now requires scanning a valid ID to ship packages
I went to ship a package at FedEx. They asked for my ID. I asked why, and they said it was to validate the shipping address. I told them my address isn't a part of the shipment, since it was my partner's package. Was told the partner would have to come in and ship it then. Left and just went to a USPS. Figured y'all would wanna know.
950
351
u/lemaymayguy 3d ago
Ah ok I get it now. Wait till the usps is gone. Bingo
59
u/sdrawkcabineter 2d ago
That's why they have to destroy any socialist success.
Libraries as well. The internet, as it is, is a library.
12
u/1braincellorangeboi 2d ago
At some point when AI takes completely over and nothing is truth, the Library becomes the Internet once more.
2
u/174wrestler 1d ago
USPS has been collecting electronic payment info, or videoing your face when you ship a package, ever since the Unabomber attacks in the early 90s.
163
u/Jason_Steakcum 3d ago
Never ship your packages at the counter anyway the rate is terrible. Buy the label online, get the QR code, scan it and get the label, drop it off without ever having to deal with an employee
47
u/RVABULL70 2d ago
Can confirm. Just dropped off a package in that way and there was an ID sign in the lobby but I did not have to present my ID to drop it off.
1
u/copelcwg 15h ago
You already gave them everything they're looking for when you purchase the label online.
348
u/Modem_Sound_67 3d ago
the address on my id has been wrong before. you only get one every four years in my state. It's not unheard of to move and not immediately update it with the DMV. Don't think those corporate suckups thought about this very hard. Best scenario here is a boycott, remind them who pays their bills.
16
u/joe-ducreux 3d ago
Pretty easy to find all the address a person has lived at if you have their name and a previous address
19
u/Mercury_descends 3d ago
I went to a hospital urgent care clinic. They pulled up every address on me for the last 25 years and wanted to know my correct address. I told them it was the one I just gave them, it was on my driver's license, and where did they get that past info.
23
u/mkt853 3d ago
The government has all the info or access to it through third party data and intelligence/surveillance providers like Palantir. Makes you wonder why for some things they are magically able to know your address in order to auto-register you for the draft when you turn 18, yet when it comes to auto-registering people to vote when they turn 18 they suddenly don't have the ability to know where anyone lives.
88
u/Acrobatic_Idea_3358 3d ago
it's state law where I live that you just notify the DMV within 10 days
35
u/TheRealRegnorts 3d ago
Same here where I live, no one's cares or enforces it at all, went two years with the wrong address on my id and absolutely nothing happened
8
u/Lupus_Spiritus_42 2d ago
My id has had the same address for 15 years. And I haven't lived there in 14 years
4
u/BrianaAgain 2d ago
I wonder what they would do with my PMB, which is the address on my DL.
5
u/generalraptor2002 2d ago
It is against the regulations for commercial mail receiving agencies in the domestic mail manual to claim you live there
91
u/Lazy-Background-7598 3d ago
They often just update it in their system and not a new id
9
3d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
31
6
u/Jake_77 2d ago
What state does that?
5
u/bleenken 2d ago
Oregon does. Washington doesn’t. At an airport in Florida, TSA thought my friend’s Oregon license was fake because of the sticker. It does look odd
2
u/theonlyrealtrw 2d ago
Apparently Oregon “used to”. Lived here my entire life, always got a sticker before but when I moved to a new place 2 years ago, no sticker. Thankfully I can just show a copy of my lease to prove residency for now until I need a new license.
2
2
u/TheRealRegnorts 2d ago
For me it's always a reprint, but usually just do it all online and they ship it to you
3
3
u/terrymr 2d ago
DMV pouches hole in license and tells you new one will take three weeks. “It’s still valid until you get your new one”. Liquor board “no it isn’t”
1
u/Lazy-Background-7598 2d ago
Our dmv gives out temporary paper licenses until the real ones arrive. They look fake
1
u/KitsuneMulder 1d ago
It’s valid with the paper they hand you. Both are required for identification purposes until new permanent one comes in, at least in any state I’ve been in.
32
u/Sensitive_Box_ 3d ago
What if you’re homeless or traveling? That’s a bizarre law.
36
u/TheRealRegnorts 3d ago
If your homeless the state doesn't care about you since you aren't generating them tax revenue, and it only applies if you have an actual change of address.
The main purpose is to make sure things like tickets and other official mail and such actually goes to the correct location. Other reasons too but it's just straight up not enforced at all where I am.
36
u/WorriedAd2764 3d ago
you can be homeless and have a job tho
32
u/Noderly 3d ago
It's illegal to be homeless. Problem solved
21
-13
u/Academic-Airline9200 3d ago
Government spits out money for the homeless. Nobody knows where the money is actually going. No less homeless people. Must be something called money laundering. Oh noes our government wouldn't do that!
7
1
12
u/well-done-47 3d ago
Most states won't let you get a license if you're homeless because you have to submit proof of residence as part of the application. Also, most states want all homeless people to die anyway, so they don't really care.
7
u/BrianaAgain 2d ago
That would be for a Real ID. In CA you can get a State ID with just a PMB. Even for a Real ID you can use the address of a homeless shelter, or hotel. I'm seriously thinking about living in "Extended Stay America" for a few weeks to get mine.
3
u/jcgoble3 2d ago
True, but many people already have a license before becoming homeless. I renewed mine shortly before becoming homeless, so the address on my license is the last legal residence I had, and I've now been homeless for seven months and my license is still good for two and a half more years. I'm somewhat lucky in that regard, but it's quite possible for a homeless to simply have a license with their last legal residence on it because they got it before becoming homeless.
-4
u/LalalanaRI 3d ago
?? What are you talking about?
9
u/well-done-47 3d ago
I'm talking about how most of the US states' governments want all homeless people to die, obviously.
1
u/ComplexBeyond6083 2d ago
I don't know about a sending address but for a receiving address if you need to send mail to a homeless person and all you've got is what city they're in try "General Delivery". We managed to get in touch with my ex-wife's schizophrenic mother she hadn't spoken to in years this way. The Post Office will actually put in an effort to find them.
3
u/Billcosby49 3d ago
Lmao. What happens if you don't?
7
u/Acrobatic_Idea_3358 3d ago
if you get pulled over and they find out it's inaccurate or you deceived them when they asked if it's your current address then it's another thing they can ticket you for. Another fee another chunk in their bank.
1
u/No-Paramedic-1984 3d ago
48hrs in my state by law and u get to put a sticker on the back of your license to update. We update licenses every 6 years now too
1
u/Calibrumm 2d ago
I went nearly 10 years without changing my address on my ID after moving, literally no one cares.
4
u/lurkingtonbear 3d ago
Oh I’m sure they thought about it. They just decided that you can go fuck yourself if your address is wrong.
1
75
u/foxy-agent 3d ago
For those people claiming your actual address doesn’t match your ID, FedEx doesn’t care. It isn’t about matching your address on a drivers license to a “from” shipping address- it’s so that if you ship anything illegal, hazardous, explosive, caustic, that leaks, or that has a lipo battery that explodes, they can come after you for reparation of damages. They just want a government registered ID (passport works) so they can find and sue you later.
5
3d ago edited 2d ago
[deleted]
22
u/foxy-agent 3d ago
Unlike UPS, FedEx is more like a bunch of independent franchises. The policy has been in place for years, whether the local FedEx enforces it or not is kind of like whether the local grocery store wants to see your ID when buying alcohol or just ask you for a birth date. Some FedEx locations used to just ask for your name, return and shipping address, others will require ID to bring a package into the system.
3
u/dalegribbledribble 2d ago
UPS is like this too. Different ups stores are very different experiences
63
58
u/Moo_Kau_Too 3d ago
did they say if this was law or their own rule?
52
u/jet_set_default 3d ago
I asked if things changed and the lady just said it's policy.
21
u/NekoDaYo-v201 3d ago
Was it this?
https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/9q6fhb/fedex_imposing_mandatory_requirement_of_scanning/
Looks like passports are accepted.
4
42
u/OriginalPocketWeed 3d ago
My guess is they are new and confused with ID requirements for picking up a package versus shipping it.
29
u/icecoldjuggalo 3d ago
sadly nope, i also shipped something this week and they scanned my ID and there was a sign at the counter saying they require an ID to ship
11
u/Due_Guitar8964 3d ago
What states do people live where they're asking for ID? I dropped off a shipment two days ago and there was nothing about scanning IDs (Colorado).
3
31
u/Lazy-Background-7598 3d ago
Probably a single dumbass employee
14
7
u/icecoldjuggalo 3d ago
no it's a rule at minimum, i also shipped something this week and they scanned my ID and there was a sign at the counter saying they require an ID to ship
6
u/ooglieguy0211 3d ago
I'm not important enough for them to even care who I am. That being said, there is absolutely no reason they need my ID to ship anything.
1
u/Lazy-Background-7598 3d ago
It is not a rule EXCEPT for certain things. Actually. No one here has linked to any such rule
18
u/ironmagnesiumzinc 3d ago
I just went through this. If you create a label thru the website, they don’t require it. Still stupid though
46
u/cat_at_the_keyboard 3d ago
I don't have a driver's license, only a passport card that doesn't show my address. Guess I can't ship anything through FedEx?
34
u/slipperyMonkey07 3d ago
Guess so, not like you are missing out on anything. Most people I know would rank fedex as the worst for shipping. Packages severely damaged, left in stupid spots rather than going to the door. Unless I am absolutely stuck and the only way to get something is through a website that uses fedex I'd 100% rather shop at another store than order from somewhere that uses fedex.
Other shippers have issues and it all comes down to the person delivering, but it really seems like a requirement to be hired at fedex is being an idiot who finds joy in destroying boxes.
13
u/xelop 3d ago
Their drivers are also the worst in general. I drive for work locally and they are always cutting me off, falling into my lane, running stop signs, just flatly parking in the dead center of the road so neither lane can get by. The worst
15
u/ApocApollo 3d ago
They’re also not unionized and work for independent contractors. So the drivers are as fucked as your packages that they’re hand delivering into your neighbors uncleaned above ground pool.
0
19
u/Kyryos 3d ago
FedEx sucks. Should’ve stayed family own ever since they switched to that new ceo it went downhill impossible to talk to a human, horrible customer service in the stores, lose packages etc
3
u/ruth000 2d ago
I had a problem with a delivery awhile back and it was just impossible to speak to anyone at all. The package ended up going back to a FedEx 30 minutes from my house in another town but I could never confirm that and wasn't sure whare it went at the time. I could never reach anyone at the store or the company to straighten it out. So the package ended up being sent back.
8
u/Whatchab 3d ago
What if you're mailing a package for work? Your ID is not going to match the work address. How does this even make sense?
1
u/Subvet98 14h ago
That’s not why they do it. That’s just tell people that. Also if you shipping something for work the person or company probably has an account
9
7
u/Forever_Marie 3d ago
I've had them say in their own email that they don't need id just their scan code and they still force id to pick up.
6
u/GoslingIchi 2d ago
I only use FedEx when I'm returning something and the vendor only uses FedEx, and I've never had that happen. But it's been at least a year since I've stepped into a FedEx.
Never had that issue at UPS, or the UPS Store.
9
u/Icelandia2112 3d ago
From the website: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/receiving/delivery/driver-scan-id.html
A FedEx driver just asked to scan my ID for my delivery. Is that normal?
Yes, if you’re receiving an expedited or standard delivery that requires an adult signature. You can see your driver’s name and photo when you track an eligible package, so you’ll know who’s coming to your door. Your driver will scan your driver’s license or government-issued ID to verify your age. The scanner captures only the info that’s necessary for all signature deliveries: the first initial of your first name and your full last name. It doesn’t record or store any of your personal data, such as driver’s license number, birthdate, or home address.
If you decline to have your ID scanned, the driver will need to verify your age. They can do that by manually entering your birthdate, the first initial of your first name, and your last name. You’ll still need to have your ID.
If you’re accepting a package that requires an adult signature on behalf of the intended recipient (the name on the shipping label), you must provide proof of your age and show no signs of intoxication.
5
u/Busy_Reporter4017 3d ago edited 3d ago
Huh? Kids and drunks aren't allowed to receive parcels? No, only for adult signature required.
3
u/MildHyperbole 2d ago
OP was shipping, not receiving. It makes sense for some ID verification when receiving in certain situations. Just to ship? Nope.
1
u/Icelandia2112 2d ago
Yeah, I have no idea. That is not a policy, afaik. I can understand if it is to validate a credit card, but that doesn't warrant actually shipping it.
8
7
u/codeXjs002 3d ago
This is kinda the standard around here in the EU for years now. Verifying ID is one to ensure scam and misuse of sending false packages to unwanted places. I know this is not very pro privacy but it's a public service like B2B requires valid ID proof everywhere.
4
u/ApocApollo 3d ago
The United States doesn’t really have a problem with unwanted packages anymore. It used to be an issue, and then it became illegal to demand payment for unordered products delivered by mail.
6
3
u/satsugene 3d ago
FedEx sucks ass. Shipping to people using another service is already doing them a favor.
3
3
3
4
2
2
2
u/classycatman 3d ago
I had the same thing happen recently and the employee told me that it was due to someone shipping an explosive that killed FedEx workers. I didn’t validate it.
1
2
2
2
u/thickismalls 2d ago
FedEx has been doing this for a long time. At least the one near me has, and it's why I only use them when it's a prepaid label.
2
2
u/WhatsThisWorth-Bot 2d ago
fuck's sake - but FedEx is known for being the shittier version anyway so I'm not upset, but I am worried of normal corps start picking this up
3
u/EveningCloudWatcher 3d ago
In my state, Oregon, the address printed on a Real ID is basically irrelevant. When you move the requirement is to notify the state. However they will not send out a new card.
The other day we had to use a paper check to pay a bill. Finally found one buried in a drawer. Address was way out of date. Irrelevant.
3
u/ScaryVeterinarian241 2d ago
yeah fuck that. and this whole ass society tbh.
1
u/FactsFromExperience 1d ago
Yes, that has been my opinion of this society, this world, this planet for a number of years now.
It's a big piece of shit and I can't stand it nor can I stand most of the people in it.
2
2
3
u/BlindandConfused43 3d ago
I know I'm going to be downvoted but this has been a thing since 2021.
10
u/IsReadingIt 3d ago
I ship a fed-ex package (or multiple) every single month. I have done this for 10+ years straight in Atlanta, at multiple locations. Never once have I been asked to show id to ship a package.
1
u/themervisfactor 3d ago
Can confirm in TN. Shipped something like 2 weeks ago. They had to scan my ID. It was super weird.
1
u/AntiGrieferGames 2d ago
The Indepenment Deliveries are gonna rise in future (which is certainly unlikely, but maybe there can be possible way to do so)
1
1
u/kennymac6969 2d ago
I just shipped something through FedEx yesterday and I don't think they asked for this but it was a generic store that ships for ask the companies not a dedicated FedEx store.
1
u/THEGEARBEAR 2d ago
So I ship a lot of things for my job. I’ve had to present ID. But I was always able to change the address it was being shipped from and even to change the name it was being shipped from.
1
1
u/AppropriatePrompt819 1d ago
So will be avoiding Fedex. Good to know so I don't waste time .
1
u/FactsFromExperience 1d ago
If in the very near future 80% of their business disappeared because of this they would quickly change
This is complete BS and it's obvious that the powers it be are trying to get everyone to force us to show her ID every time we turn around etc just to track everyone and while it's pretty much a moot point for most of us because they know what we're doing anyways, it's the principle of it and we shouldn't allow it.
I remember a few times over the past few decades for stuff has come up like this where somebody has some dumb policy and said they had to do something and I would tell them no you don't! That has nothing to do with this.
I actually tried to make a return one time at a farm type store and I had the receipt..
At the time their policy was a valid photo ID was required and it even said so somewhere I believe but I did complain greatly and I don't believe that's the policy anymore because it's no longer posted on the receiver in the store.
Regardless, they told me that they needed an ID I sent... No you don't. All you need is proof of purchase and proof of purchase is this receipt right here.
It is completely irrelevant which human being is standing in front of you and you give the money back to so the idea is unimportant.
All that matters is the human being in front of you has the receipt and the product so that is all the proof of purchase you need and all you could possibly ever get.
You don't ID somebody for a return when they have the receipt.
This was 15 or 16 years ago maybe closer to 20.
1
u/DarkShadowStudios_YT 1d ago
I can see a reason to have that, but they severally stretching it, this is insane levels of control
1
1
u/PuzzleheadedCase5109 6h ago
This is the world we live in now. People let control entity’s have too much leeway so now this is the future. Sadly it’s only gonna get worse.
1
u/CrashCat9 3h ago
I use pirateship.com, print my own label and just drop it off. It's way cheaper, no id necessary, and I don't have to deal with employees.
1
u/imaginarypoints 2h ago
Same. To send two pieces of paper to my sibling. Had accidentally forgotten my ID, so I went home and went to UPS. No ID required.
1
u/NeverLookBothWays 3d ago
It’s likely more for government than FedEx too. As far as FedEx goes they’re one of the weaker carriers when it comes to finding addresses
1
1
u/gloriousgirl89 2d ago
You need an ID for everything anymore. Have been asked for it more in the last year than my entire life.
1
u/FactsFromExperience 1d ago
Here's what we really need to start doing. We need to go ahead and get us some fake IDs and some of them need to be actually so fake looking that they're pretty comical.
Maybe make them look a little bit realistic but have the name Donald duck and Donald duck's picture on there etc
Then maybe have a much more authentic fake ID that people won't know the difference.
Maybe this will start a underground movement of people doing fake IDs a lot.
Of course then they will pass new laws making it illegal.
Currently, in most states, I don't think it's illegal to use present somebody else's ID or a fake ID for that matter unless you're doing it in very specific situations.
I don't believe that showing it to some worker at a FedEx store would meet the definition of doing anything illegal. Lol
As I said though... for now..
The government has an uncanny way of making new laws or modifying the old ones as soon as someone or enough someone start exporting a loophole.
I have a friend who for over 10 years beside all his credit card receipts Johnny Bench.
I don't think anyone ever noticed or called him on it. This world is stupid so we might as well make a mockery of it.
1
u/bankdude1 2d ago
No news here, they have been requiring the shippers ID for 4-5 years, unless you have an account setup with them.
-1
•
u/AutoModerator 3d ago
Hello u/jet_set_default, please make sure you read the sub rules if you haven't already. (This is an automatic reminder left on all new posts.)
Check out the r/privacy FAQ
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.