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Letter from Holts - asking for a copy of my Driver's License?

nhcigarfan

I like cigars
Joined
Sep 7, 2005
Messages
366
So I get this letter in the mail today from Holt's. I think I purchased from them once for a trade about a month ago.



Here is the letter



(All typing and spelling errors in the original letter have been maintained. )



Dear Sir or Madam:

Several States require that we prove that all customers purchasing tobacco products are at least 21 years of age.

This is not a new law and was mainly enforced when purchasing cigarettes. This law is now including tobacco products, so we must also adhere to it.

We have featured an age verification request form in several of our recent catalogs. I believe this will again be added to our new upcoming catalogs. Unfortunately several states now require a customer attestation, in writing, be maintained on file prior to making sales of tobacco.

In addition Holt’s Mail Order has contracted with a third party age verification software provider. This enable us, in most cases, to verify age without requesting or storing any additional personal information. This verification occassionally does not work for various reasons. Most often the reason is a customer’s data is not part of public record data bases (ie:Department of Motor Vehicle, Voter Registration, etc.). If you wish, you can view our provider’s web-site at . This may provide additional confirmation of their policies and procedures

Since we have been unable to verify that your are of legal age through this service, we must now ask that you mail us a copy of your State ID (Driver’s License or other government issues identification).

Again, we certainly do wish to apologize for the inconvenience this is causing. We would also be disappointed not to hear from you again. The easiest way at this time to resolve this, is to mail or fax a copy of your State ID (Drivers License) to us.

Holts Cigar Co.

12270 Townsend Road

Philadelphia PA 19154

Fax # 215-676-9085



So, besides the obvious errors in spelling, grammar and typing, I fail to see how, if according to them my information was not part of the public (specifically the NH Department of Motor Vehicles) my Drivers license would be helpful?



Second - on the second page, I wish I could scan this letter but I don't have a scanner, says that this is only required for NY and they are collecting this information to prepare for the future potential age verification laws in the future.



WTF?? I am getting the scam alert feeling here.



Has anyone else fielded this request from Holts?



I'm not giving them a dam thing BTW.

Thanks
 
I got the same letter a couple months back... I threw it in the trash, and have ordered from them since, with no troubles!
 
Being a NH resident, you should know that your Motor Vehicle records are available to anyone who asks. I find this practice disquieting, but it is the case none the less.


Doc.
 
Being a NH resident, you should know that your Motor Vehicle records are available to anyone who asks. I find this practice disquieting, but it is the case none the less.


Doc.


Exactly, that's why I think their explanation is a crock.
 
i got the same letter and called holts to ask what it was, apparently if you do phone orders, they send it to you, however i've done 3 orders since and never been sent the letter again or asked about my DL
 
I got it too. It is now in the trash. I hope it does not keep me from ordering, but from what you guys are saying I won't have any trouble.

Brandon
 
Toss it in the trash, legally they should have verified your age before completing the sale, looks like a CYA to me!
 
I'm glad to know it wasn't a scam of some kind. I still think it's strange that they would even send a letter like this.

Trash it is.
 
I'm glad to know it wasn't a scam of some kind. I still think it's strange that they would even send a letter like this.

Trash it is.

Probably just some policy that came down so they can make sure everyone is over 18. You know how the anti tobacconists are.
 
Gotten it before as well, with my internet orders. Trashed it, no issues.
 
I have seen it from other retailers (names escape me), but it is to verify that you are of age to buy cigars. In once sense, you can't blame them with the anti smoking movement gaining politcal support.

One of the anti smokers key points is that minors can get smokes in the mail without any I.D., so the vendor can "card" you or risk being shut down down the road. If every vendor "cards" all the buyers (one time before 1st order), the smoking police can't use that as ammo to shut down mail order cigars.

If it is between sending them a photo copy of my D.L., or having mail order cigars a thing of the past, I'll send the ID.

Walgreens carded me a few months back (I am 53, balding... and walk with a cane...). I told the lady, do I look 17? Come on... they said it was policy.
 
Make up a fake one on a word processor, photocopy your license photo, tape it to the page and photocopy the whole thing then fax or mail it to them. Be sure to lie about things like your real driver's license number and your date of birth.

Send it to 'em and see what happens, that's what I'd do. :laugh:
 
t209490_terrorwardriverslicensebinladenbg.jpg
 
Agreed! Trashed t!!
X 2

I went a step more and told them I would never comply with the fascist elements in our government! ;)

Give me my cigar or give me death!!
 
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