PokerStars Cash Out Notice 4/21/2011

[lwestatbus]

Immediately after learning of the gov't crackdown I initiated a cashout at PS. Today I received the following notice from "PokerStars Security":

We were very pleased to receive the news that allows US players to cash out their
real money balances.

In response to this update, the Cashout Option in the PokerStars Cashier will be
temporarily unavailable to allow us to prepare the technical solutions and formulate
the plan and processes required to allow you to cash out your balance.

In the interim, any pending cashouts have been returned to your account in order to
ensure players have the opportunity to cash out orderly.

Please be assured, player balances are safe. We will notify all US and US
territories players as soon as the Cashier is available again.

Providing you with the facility to cash out is our top priority right now, and
hopefully all US and US territories players will be able
to cash out via the PokerStars Cashier in the near future.

If your account balance is over 4000 USD you will be required to send documentation
at cashout stage. In order to avoid delays at that time
we kindly ask you that you scan and email in advance the following two documents to
security@pokerstars.eu
:

a) A clear photocopy of your government issued photo ID (front and back).

b) A copy of a recent utility bill or bank statement clearly showing your full name,
current address and statement date (no older than 3 months).

Please ensure that you clearly state your UserID. If you have already provided the
above documents in the past, you are NOT required to send these again.

We apologize for the temporary delay, and sincerely appreciate your patience and
cooperation as we continue working towards providing
you with a solution to cash out.

Regards,

PokerStars Security

[HalfSugar]

Is it a genuine email or some opportunistic scam artist at work? Check the email code and see if the links point to the correct web addresses before doing anything!

If it's real, what a ball ache it is to have to send them ID to cash out $4,000+

[lwestatbus]

Is it a genuine email or some opportunistic scam artist at work? Check the email code and see if the links point to the correct web addresses before doing anything!

If it's real, what a ball ache it is to have to send them ID to cash out $4,000+

Yeah, I'd thought of the scam angle as well. The message IS addressed to my player name which I don't use anywhere else.

Again, fortunately, I fall far short of the $4,000 limit. My guess is this is part of the DOJ agreement to collect tax info.