>>for people that aren't near [an Apple Store], an option to fax or mail could exist. Almost ten years ago, I asked an old friend (that got rich doing security

>>for people that aren't near [an Apple Store], an option to fax or mail could exist. Almost ten years ago, I asked an old friend (that got rich doing security for online gambling companies) about verifying identity with VISA cards. He told me that the Russian mob would open a new account in e.g. the English countryside. When the security people called the (non-mobile) phone number, then someone answered and verified that it was their VISA card and yes, they wanted to open an account. Edit: If my point isn't clear -- it is that the present capabilities of the criminal networks are probably much superior these days. (Addition: I assume he knew where the criminals came from because of police reports.)