Blockchain.com account closure

[JohnnyDoe]

Out of the blue after years of having the account (but I've never used it much) I receive this:

Regrettably, your account has not passed our risk assessment and has consequently been closed. We are unable to disclose the specific reasons for the closure; however, you may refer to our TOS page for further information.

In light of this, we would like to initiate the refund process.Please follow the steps below to proceed.

Please provide an all-in-one selfie holding your ID and a handwritten note with the following information:

1. Today's date.
2. Today's BTC price.
3. Your full name.
4. Your date of birth.
5. "I authorize Blockchain.com to send the funds in my Trading Account to the following address"
6. The BTC address where you want us to send the funds. (Please write the complete crypto address on your note.)

Please see the image attached for reference.

Additionally, please copy and paste the BTC address in the body of the email.

😵

 

[Fiscal]

They close your account and then you have to answer an entire quiz, send a selfie ánd ID to access your own money? Reasons enough to stay away from them

 

[JohnnyDoe]

They close your account and then you have to answer an entire quiz, send a selfie ánd ID to access your own money? Reasons enough to stay away from them

In fact I thought it was a phishing email, but they confirmed it’s not:

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Regrettably, your account did not meet the criteria of our risk assessment. As you may have observed upon logging into your account, it is no longer verified, and has consequently been suspended.

We are currently reaching out to you to facilitate the refund process for any remaining funds in your custodial account.

To proceed, kindly provide us with the selfie format that was outlined in my initial email to you. Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to inform us.

We anticipate your prompt response.

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Oh well, I even forgot that I had some satoshis left there. +$400 thanks to their stupidity 😀

 

[WhoMe]

I left Ethereum in Bittrex 8 years ago when I tried to withdraw it. They said they need to verify my ID. So I messaged customer service and asked to close my account. They said they need to verify my ID before closing my account to send me back my Ethereum. I told them to give the damn Ethereum to charity, they're not getting my ID.

They agreed to close my account. Who knows if the ETH went to charity, they probably kept it.

This behavior of these companies and governments...what else can it be called but blackmail, ransom, and coercion?

 

[JohnnyDoe]

They agreed to close my account. Who knows if the ETH went to charity, they probably kept it.

Guaranteed. You should have signed a written agreement and verified it later.

This behavior of these companies and governments...what else can it be called but blackmail, ransom, and coercion?

100%. That’s why it’s always better to deal with them through some imaginary friends.

 

[void]

This behavior of these companies and governments...what else can it be called but blackmail, ransom, and coercion?

that's exactly what it is... what is going on is beyond my wildest imagination and 15 years ago I wouldn't believe this could happen

Regrettably, your account has not passed our risk assessment and has consequently been closed. We are unable to disclose the specific reasons for the closure; however, you may refer to our TOS page for further information.

I'm afraid this case (just like the one we are currently dealing with) is a result of you being listed as high-risk individual in some background check database that all these scumbags purchase and use to demonstrate they care and do some compliance - it stinks

 

[JohnnyDoe]

you being listed as high-risk individual in some background check database

I'm not. It's just random bs.

 

[void]

I'm not. It's just random bs.

I don't know... what's the odds? inactive account, with 400usd balance, in the pool of tens of millions... even if they would close one thousand a day 😉

 

[Justit]

I have an impression that, in order to comply with certain regulations, these institutions are required to close a specific number of accounts per year to demonstrate compliance. While some accounts are closed for legitimate reasons, the rest appear to be closed totally randomly simply to reach the required quota. Just nobody talks about these target numbers and they are not disclosed to the general public.

 

[JohnnyDoe]

I don't know... what's the odds? inactive account, with 400usd balance, in the pool of tens of millions... even if they would close one thousand a day 😉

It's impossible I've appeared in any database in the last few years. In fact I keep opening and operating new accounts without any issue. It's just the monkeys that need to justify their existence.

 

[Marty McFly]

Anyway blockchain.com is completely irrelevant. The only good feature they have is the personal IBAN.

 

[JohnnyDoe]

How do you take "an all-in-one selfie holding your ID and a handwritten note"? 🤔
The lengthy note has to be printed on a A4 paper to be visible, and I only have 2 hands...

Ok I took it while holding the paper with my mouth, the passport with one hand and the phone with the other.
Will they accept it?

 

[Justit]

I think they will not accept it because a part of your face is covered by the A4, based on your description. If they don’t, try attaching the A4 to your T-shirt with a tape. Alternatively, you could put it against yourself while sitting rather than standing.

 

[CEO]

I think they will not accept it because a part of your face is covered by the A4, based on your description. If they don’t, try attaching the A4 to your T-shirt with a tape. Alternatively, you could put it against yourself while sitting rather than standing.

Hire a photographer 😇

 

[Justit]

Hire a photographer 😇

only selfies are accepted

 

[CEO]

only selfies are accepted

Buy a third hand 😂
Another solution is to put a glue in a creative way 😜

 

[Marty McFly]

Use your third leg

 

[JohnnyDoe]

Use your third leg

I will literally do that if they don't accept my first selfie

 

[WhoMe]

only selfies are accepted

I can't think what the security benefit would be. A webcam or phone on timer would free up your hands, but the "selfie" really has to be holding the camera in your hand? These regs are stupid.

 

[JohnnyDoe]

The monkeys are out of control.
Their email:

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Thank you for your cooperation.

Please be advised that, for security purposes, the contents of your note must be entirely handwritten and not printed. Additionally, kindly ensure that the photograph is not mirrored, as we require all details on your note and passport to be clearly legible. When the image is mirrored, the details appear reversed, making them difficult to read.

Please take a new selfie and let us know if you have any questions.

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My reply:

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I acknowledge receipt of your message. Your request is unreasonable, disproportionate, and unsupported by any legal or contractual requirement.

You have unilaterally decided to close my account for unknown reasons. I am not requesting new services, account changes, or access privileges. I am requesting the withdrawal of my own funds. In this context, additional identity theatrics serve no legitimate security purpose and amount to an unjustified obstruction.

There is no regulatory obligation requiring a handwritten note in a selfie to authorize a withdrawal, particularly when my identity has already been verified during onboarding and throughout the life of the account. A handwritten note provides no additional security over a typed declaration and does not prevent fraud in any meaningful way. This requirement is arbitrary.

The mirrored image argument is equally irrelevant. The identity document is already on file. Any minor technical imperfection in a selfie does not impair your ability to execute a withdrawal to my wallet. This is not a high-risk transaction. It is the return of client funds following account termination initiated by your institution.

By imposing escalating and non-standard requirements, you are effectively delaying or preventing access to my money. This may constitute undue retention of client funds and exposes your institution to regulatory scrutiny and potential liability.

I have already provided sufficient identification to establish ownership of the account and the funds.

Please proceed immediately with the withdrawal of the full account balance to the wallet already provided, or confirm in writing the specific legal provision that authorizes you to condition the release of my funds on the production of handwritten notes and selfies.

I expect this matter to be resolved without further delay.

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To be continued…