Commission Junction Wants extra personal information, and blocking my pay! PLEASE HELP

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Okay, I was with CJ for 1 and a half month now, I made well over 200 bucks last month and i should be paid for it. I have $204 in Publisher payment/Current Balance. Okay, so i was expecting my check coming in soon. I checked my mail everyday, untill i got pissed and I emailed them if they send my check. This is what they said
"Hello David,

You should have received the following email on 5/18/12

Dear David,

Your beneficiary name is similar to a name on a Government Sanctions list. We will need the following additional information to continue to process your payments:

Complete name:
Date of Birth:
Passport number and ID issuing country:
Nationality:

Please provide us with the following information as soon as possible.

Thank You,
Ursula Meier
Publisher Payables Representative

Please update this incident with the requested information. Thank you."

I checked everywhere on the CJ.com account, and it didin't say anything about needing my Passport Number, and ID issuing country. I emailed them, and they haven't answered. Also i Live in Toronto, Canada. And I am underaged if that matters.
  • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
    i know. That's why i haven't send them it yet. Also When i click payment status it says for Last Payment: N/A
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    How do you expect anyone here to help you? It's an issue between you and CJ.

    You contacted them, it's not like it's a email phishing scheme you got spammed with. It seems to me they're following some kind of mandated protocol. It's up to you if you want to supply the information or not.

    It may not be how you'd prefer the situation to be, but it is what it is.
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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    I doubt that your age is the reason for this. (even though you're supposed to 18 anyway)

    If your name is similar to that of someone on the Government Sanctions list, then you may as well get used to the additional scrutiny now. This won't be the only time you experience this.

    US companies issuing ANY KIND of regular international payments are required to verify that they're not funding terrorist. I'm not saying that you are in anyway involved with terrorism but these security measures are a fact of doing business internationally. Especially for a company as large as CJ.

    So I say again, if your name is similar to that of someone on the Government Sanctions list, then you may as well get used to it. I know it's frustrating but you only have two options; provide them with the requested information or forfeit your earnings.
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  • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
    I emailed them twice about this. One time they emailed me what u posted above another time was somewhat similar, but different.
    David,

    We received notice from OFAC and they are requiring that we provide the following information to them to release your funds:

    Complete name:
    Date of Birth:
    Passport number and ID issuing country:
    Nationality:

    Please provide us with the following information as soon as possible, as we only have 30 days to respond.

    Thank you

    They said something about OFAC. Can someone tell me the difference between OFAC and Government Sanctions list. Also if i was to give them that information, how can I do so? Just reply to their email. Using hotmail. Update my question?
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  • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
    And one more question. What is ID issuing country? ID as in the ID you get when your 18+? I don't have that
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    The IRS wants ANY amount over a certain amount reported to them. I believe it was $400/year at one point. It may be different now. Anyway, it is to have the persons SSN number. IF you are a foreign national, staying here, they may want your passport number. The rest is probably to prevent fraud on your side.

    BTW it does NOT matter how old you are! TECHNICALLY, it is illegal for you to do this if you are a minor, since you are not allowed to enter into a contract. About 30 years ago they DID pass a law that every citizen must get an SSN by 5yo. Minors are STILL expected to pay the tax, if it goes over a certain amount.

    If you don't do this, and CJ pays you, they will be out of compliance and may have to pay taxes and penalties.

    BTW American companies HAVE to deal with the IRS, PERIOD! If you were in the deepest regions of a jungle on the other side of the planet, they STILL want proof.

    BTW companies WERE using a loophole earlier, but the IRS and states are trying to plug them up.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
    Hm okay, Well i still have no clue what is ID issuing country. And how do i send this information to them. Do i just reply to the ticket with my information
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by david1997pn View Post

      Hm okay, Well i still have no clue what is ID issuing country. And how do i send this information to them. Do i just reply to the ticket with my information
      ID issuing country is the name of the country that issued the ID that you are using. In YOUR case, it sounds like that would be Canada.

      When people ask for this type of info, they often ask you to FAX it. I would suggest that you call them. ALSO, I didn't notice the "Your beneficiary name is similar to a name on a Government Sanctions list. ". The DHS here is feigning security, and this is one thing they are doing. You have to prove you aren't affiliated with THE one they see a simularity with.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
    If i call them, would i need to pay Long distance? I'm doing this all behind my parents backs, and if they get a higher bill (long distance) they will get pissed.
    Also they ask for date of birth. Should i give them the legit one. Or the fake one i used to sign up?
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    • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
      Originally Posted by david1997pn View Post

      Also they ask for date of birth. Should i give them the legit one. Or the fake one i used to sign up?
      I think it's time for you to move on. You've probably already committed fraud. Let it be a lesson to you.
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      Why do garden gnomes smell so bad?
      So that blind people can hate them as well.
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      • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
        Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

        I think it's time for you to move on. You've probably already committed fraud. Let it be a lesson to you.
        You didin't answer my question. i asked if i should use legit age, or the age i sued to sign up. Not if i was frauding
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        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by david1997pn View Post

          You didin't answer my question. i asked if i should use legit age, or the age i sued to sign up. Not if i was frauding
          WHO KNOWS? If you use the WRONG date, they CAN easily validate that it is wrong through the government numbers/ids! It would also be FRAUD! If you used the PROPER date, they would say "OH, then we don't owe you money ANYWAY, because you did not sign the proper paper work, or sign up in the proper way. The contract is NULL AND VOID!

          Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by whateverpedia View Post

        I think it's time for you to move on. You've probably already committed fraud. Let it be a lesson to you.
        If he used the birth date to make him look like he wasn't a minor, it WAS fraud! Of course, being a minor, it is unlikely anything would happen. If he is not a minor NOW, it would be breaking the law and COULD maybe be prosecuted. Canada is not that far away and doesn't like this sort of thing any more than the US, so I would drop it also.

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
    I did answer your question. You signed up on false information. That is probably fraud. You are unlikely to ever get "your" money. You should move on and take it as a lesson on life.
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  • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
    Might as well try? I don't think to go in that far to double check my age and etc. I think they will just prob input the number in the system and get on with their lives
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    • Profile picture of the author whateverpedia
      Originally Posted by david1997pn View Post

      Might as well try? I don't think to go in that far to double check my age and etc. I think they will just prob input the number in the system and get on with their lives
      :rolleyes:

      No mate, they won't do that at all. You now have to provide them with proof of who you are, and how old you are. They are not give you the benefit of the doubt.

      Move on and take it as a lesson in life.
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      Why do garden gnomes smell so bad?
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    • Profile picture of the author salegurus
      Originally Posted by david1997pn View Post

      Might as well try? I don't think to go in that far to double check my age and etc. I think they will just prob input the number in the system and get on with their lives
      Ah the naivety of youth.
      I'm sure a company like CJ has not survived all these years by "getting on with their lives"...
      You have been given some good adult advice, now it's up to you to follow that advice or roll the dice and see what happens.
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      Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

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  • Profile picture of the author david1997pn
    okay, good news. I gave them fake birthdate. and it worked. I reviewed my check today, and cashed ti in successfully. Thank you all
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    I am glad you got it sorted out. But I would find out more about it if I were you. You risk being detained or even arrested when you travel to the US or to other countries.
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    Do not get between a wombat and a chocolate biscuit; you will regret it dearly!

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    David,

    That isn't really good news, and they may wise up. They may one day even debit every penny they have paid to this point. The US is also getting more public with such records, and more places are adopting that. Some states INSIST that they be used. When that happens, your meal ticket may vanish.

    Steve
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