I, too, am concerned about ID theft (been through that already and will do everything in my power to not go through it again!). Here is another link to this topic:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=15023663#post15023663
Anyway, as I wrote in the link above, I called Disney and ended up talking with a nice man who is in Disney Marketing and deep into this project.
This guy is definitely "in the know". He was very nice and quite surprised that I found his telephone number! He even asked me, "How did you find my number'? Again, he was very curious, but most polite and helpful.
Anyway, he understood how some may feel uncomfortable sending a post card with such key information. So here are two other alternatives he suggested. He did add that they were trying to find the most uncostly way for folks to play. Here are two other suggestions he had besides just sending in a post card:
1) On a 3 1/2 x 5 post card, fill in all the information Disney asked for (name, address and DOB). Then take a second 3 1/2 x 5 card and put that on top of the information. Seal the edges. Then put a stamp on it and send. He said this way you can have one of the 3 1/2 x 5 cards cover the one with the information.
I asked him if we could tape around the edges and he said we should check with our local post offices to see if that was acceptable. He then suggested we find out if there is any additional postage.
3) Fill out a 3 1/2 x 5 post card as mentioned. Get an envelope that is as close to it being a 3 1/2 x 5 envelope as possible. Not just a regular sized envelope. You can then put the card inside the envelope and send. I am going to call Office Depot or some local printing companies. They should be able to accommodate for this size. Again, he stressed that the envelope must be as close to 3 1/2 x 5 as possible. But YES, he did recognize that even if it came in an envelope, it should be added to the bin.
He gave me impression that whenever they receive the cards, they put them into a big bin. Then they draw. So that is why they want the envelopes as close to the size as the post card so it will all be fair.
Hope this clears it up. I know some printing companies and an Office Depot may have 3 1/2 x 5 cards and even the same size envelopes. They may even have these items at a good rate as well.
Even after talking with him, I still know that after they draw, I don't think they have shredders around and will most likely just toss out our entries. For anyone who knows that such information is available in a trash bin, it will be a field day for ID thieves. I forgot to ask him how they discard the cards once they have the drawing so I am not taking any chances.
I think I will just wish you all well, not send in any such information, and then I can definitely sleep better knowing I did not open up the door for ID theft. (Again, been there, experienced that.) But much luck to those of you who do enter! Be sure to post your winnings!
Thanks!
