How to stop customers change their account name details

[Si]

Not overly complicated, but for us, it was necessary (after legal and general business advice), as when customers sign up to our services, they personally sign up to our terms and conditions and accounts are non-transferrable. (at least not without our knowledge and agreement).
When they do want/need to transfer their account to another party, we need to ensure it is done properly and with both parties consent and so we get them both to physically sign a transfer of ownership and acceptance form to keep things legally correct.

(If for no other reason, this process also outlines the responsibility of the first customer to pass on all usernames and passwords for the account and gives us a professional introduction and opportunity to 'greet' and welcome the new client taking over the account).

That warm fuzzy feeling :lol:

In WHMCS it is currently possible (3.4.0) for customers to go in and simply change the account owner name. In some cases the persons name it was changed to, knew nothing about it and we were left with a defunct account and no accountability on it either. We know the system can email you with the changes, but when we then contacted people who changed the ownership details to tell them they couldn't do that, they (quite rightly) came back and asked us why we had let them? So, this fix was implemented.

What it does:
On the Change of Details page in the client area, it shows the clients first and last name and company name, but it doesn't let the client change them. It then passes the details in any form updates as hidden fields.

OPTIONAL: I have included it in this, but is optional for you. We have a link on the page to our pdf download form which they must complete for transfer of ownership. If you don't want to include that, just leave out the bookmark hyperlink in the code in step 2


*need to change these details? (#*Change of account ownership)

and leave out step 3 entirely.

Incidentally, we charge a £10 admin fee for the change of account ownership, so not only was this legally beneficial it covers administration costs and makes customers respect their account ownership and how we do business. :)

HOW TO DO IT:

Open templates/yourtemplatechoice/clientareadetails.tpl

STEP 1: Find:

<input type="hidden" name="save" value="true" />

and directly underneath add:

<input type="hidden" name="firstname" value="{$clientfirstname}">
<input type="hidden" name="lastname" value="{$clientlastname}">
<input type="hidden" name="companyname" value="{$clientcompanyname}">

STEP 2: replace

<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareafirstname}</td><td><input type="text" name="firstname" value="{$clientfirstname}" size="25" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientarealastname}</td><td><input type="text" name="lastname" value="{$clientlastname}" size="25" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareacompanyname}</td><td><input type="text" name="companyname" value="{$clientcompanyname}" size="25" /></td></tr>


with


<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareafirstname}*</td><td>{$clientfirstname}
*need to change these details? (#*Change of account ownership)
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientarealastname}*</td><td>{$clientlastname}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareacompanyname}*</td><td>{$clientcompanyname}</td></tr>


STEP 3: and finally, just before


</form>

add this:


<table border="0" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" id="AutoNumber1" width="100%">
<tr>
<td><a name="*Change of account ownership">*Change of account ownership</a>

If you wish to change the ownership of your XYZ Hosting account into the name
of another individual, you both need to complete the
transfer of ownership form (http://yoursite.com/downloads.php?action=displaycat&catid=2).</td>
</tr>
</table>

Please back-up your clientareadetails.php file first. It works.

Enjoy

Si

[arhost]

Works great!

Thanks :)

[Baja]

OPTIONAL: I have included it in this, but is optional for you. We have a link on the page to our pdf download form which they must complete for transfer of ownership. If you don't want to include that, just leave out the bookmark hyperlink in the code in step 2
Would it be possible to see a sample of this pdf form you are using for transfer of ownership?

[Si]

Would it be possible to see a sample of this pdf form you are using for transfer of ownership?

Hi,
Yea, sure. In fact, if you can give me until tomorrow, once I'm back in the
office I'll give you a .doc file which you can edit and then using something
like www.cutepdf.com (if you need a free PDF creator) you can make your
finished PDF.

Si

[Baja]

Si,

Thanks a lot I appreciate that. I will check out that cutepdf a bit later too.

[Voodoo]

This is a great modification. I would never had thought of that possibility of someone just changing ownership like that. I would like to have a copy of that pdf also if possible.

Thanks,
Larry

[Si]

Here is the edited text of the PDF we use. We insert our T's and C's and AUP at the end. I'm sure you'll all edit and improve as you require.

Si


Change of Account Ownership


If, for any reason, you wish to pass ownership of your ABC Hosting account to a new account owner, this form MUST be completed by both parties. It should be returned to us along with an administration fee of £10. (or on receipt we will raise an invoice on the account which may be paid online). The invoice will be raised in the current owners name.

As soon as we have received this form, and processed the changeover, both parties will be notified via the support system and via email.



To be completed by the NEW owner


Please complete in BLOCK CAPITALS, ensuring both parties have signed and return to

ABC Hosting Company
1 Sillicon Tower
Your Town
Your State



I, ………………………………...................................... ...................

agree to take financial control and legal responsibility for ALL of the hosting accounts and domain names currently managed by the current owner, on ABC hosting company’s servers. I have read and accept the terms and conditions listed below.


Email Address: ……………………………….....................................



Signed………………………………................................ ..................





To be completed by the CURRENT owner


I, ………………….....................................

agree to pass control and ownership of my account with ABC Hosting Company to the above named person. I have passed ALL usernames and passwords to the above named person including control panels, web mail and my client area login with ABC Hosting Company.




Signed………………………………................................ ...............







ABC Hosting Company Terms and Conditions

Attach your terms and conditions as well as any AUP you have for them to read.

[Voodoo]

Thank You Si, this will be much appreciated in case this ever comes up on the Cold Sweat-Chicago LLC site.

Larry

[haneyhack]

This looks like an excellent tip and I would like to set it up as well, however when looking through the directories I could not find a file named clientareadetails.php I can find clientareadetails.tpl and %%65^62B^62B73EG2%%clientareadetails.tpl.php Where abouts is clientareaddetails.php?

[Si]

This looks like an excellent tip and I would like to set it up as well, however when looking through the directories I could not find a file named clientareadetails.php I can find clientareadetails.tpl and %%65^62B^62B73EG2%%clientareadetails.tpl.php Where abouts is clientareaddetails.php?

Hi,
typo...sorry. it is the .tpl file that you edit.

Si

[haneyhack]

EXCELLENT! Installed the changes fine and everything works great. Mucho appreciated!

[Baja]

Well done! Works great.

Thanks again,

Baja

[netmotiv8]

Hello,

Is this ok for use with v3.4.1?

[Baja]

Hello,

Is this ok for use with v3.4.1?I first said yes but let me double check that for you. Ok yes looks fine to me.

[netmotiv8]

This could be a nice feature to add to WHMCS as an optional feature within admin to switch this on or off. When ON, the customer sees a 'Transfer Account Ownership' button which when selected instructs the customer through a process similar to an order process etc etc enabling them to pay an admin fee where applicable as well?

[netmotiv8]

Hello,

Is this ok for use with v3.4.1?I first said yes but let me double check that for you. Ok yes looks fine to me.

Thanks Baja, I will look at adding this soon.

:D

[Baja]

Sure no problem. The only file that change in the templates folder from 3.4.0 to 3.4.1 was forwardpage.tpl

[twhiting9275]

Tested and working on 3.5 as well

[Si]

Tested and working on 3.5 as well

Cheers for updating the thread. Was so busy skinning the new 3.5 templates y'day I forgot tbh. But yes, as there were no changes made to the clientareadetails.tpl file in 3.5, you don't need to upload a new one.

Si

[Si]

.....as there were no changes made to the clientareadetails.tpl file in 3.5, you don't need to upload a new one.

Si

Correction: You do need to follow the original instructions in the first post and amend the clienareadetails.tpl file as shown, to have this mod continue to work after upgrading to 3.5.X

Si

[Si]

Works in 3.6

[michelle]

This could be a nice feature to add to WHMCS as an optional feature within admin to switch this on or off. When ON, the customer sees a 'Transfer Account Ownership' button which when selected instructs the customer through a process similar to an order process etc etc enabling them to pay an admin fee where applicable as well?

I second that! Hope Matt considers adding it in the next version :-)

Michelle

[vinbase]

Thanks a lot it works fine in 3.6

I have a strange question: What if the client adds a new contact, makes it as default and then deletes the original one (which was default before).

Any comments ?

[JasonO]

I don't think you can delete the original contact? If you mean the original account set up that is..

[Si]

Thanks a lot it works fine in 3.6

I have a strange question: What if the client adds a new contact, makes it as default and then deletes the original one (which was default before).

Any comments ?

I don't see how a new added contact can be made as 'default' and I also don't see how you can delete the original account owner. ?

Si

[JasonO]

You can't, I tried - a contact and the default contact are 2 seperate things.

[jack10k]

This can be usefully. Very nicely done.
Thank you.

[ihostct]

Thank you for this post!
I just discovered the need to implement this code. Client wanted to cancel, and rather than using our standard cancel process they decided to try to skew the record by changing the name and address info on the account. Canceled or not, I still need to keep the records accurate :|

I'll be getting this taken care of without delay!

thank you again!

[ghpk]

Thanks "Si" works fine in 3.6.1 too.

However I've restricted the client from changing the EMail ID and Address too.

Preventing EMAIL id change might also help in case someone's clientArea Password is stolen. Hacker/kiddie would not be able to access it once the forget password option has been used by Original Client, and much more.

Also i've used Text stating "Please Raise a Support request should you need to change above Contact details/ownership".

Thanks again Si.

[jerett]

Nice work and I think WHMCS might want to integrate something similar.

Another idea would be to make it where the client can change the information but it isn't registered in the system as a change until the administrator approves it. If it is no approved then the changes revert back to the original state.

This should almost be a standard option.

[casa]

Hi,

Very nice work. But I try do it in the custom fileds and it not function well.

The custom code is

{if $customfields}
<br />
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" class="frame"><tr><td>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
{foreach key=num item=customfield from=$customfields}
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$customfield.name}</td><td>{$customfield.input} {$customfield.required}</td></tr>
{/foreach}
</table>
</td></tr></table>
{/if}

Can you help me to change this for the customer not edit it?

Thank you.

[casa]

Any ideas?

Thank you

[pixllmall]

thanks for this great tip.

[Serverweb]

i add this
readonly="readonly"
example

<input name="firstname" value="{$clientfirstname}" readonly="readonly" size="25" />

[casa]

Hi Serverweb,

The code in the file clientareadetails.tpl is the below

{if $customfields}
<br />
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" class="frame"><tr><td>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
{foreach key=num item=customfield from=$customfields}
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$customfield.name}</td><td>{$customfield.input} {$customfield.required}</td></tr>
{/foreach}
</table>
</td></tr></table>
{/if}

Please, where I change the code and put your tip?

Thank you

[Serverweb]

Sorry...that eas for normal contact:(

I try a lot of solution but not fine:(

I would like find class $customfield.""input""
If we find this "INPUT" we can modify it:(

[web2008]

Hi,

Try the code below.
.1.value is the ID number of the custom field in the tblcustomfields table.

{if $customfields}
<br />
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" class="frame"><tr><td>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
{foreach key=num item=customfield from=$customfields}
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$customfield.name}&nbsp;</td><td>{$customfields.1.value} {$customfield.required}</td></tr>
{/foreach}
</table>
</td></tr></table>
{/if}

[Serverweb]

find solution
I hope you like this
---

change
{$customfield.input}
to
{$customfield.value}
----

try it..
Now all customfield are not editable (i try and it work fine)

[casa]

Thanks a lot. I will try and I post the result here.

Thank you

[casa]

It work fine!

Thanks a lot.

[michelle]

Thanks "Si" works fine in 3.6.1 too.

However I've restricted the client from changing the EMail ID and Address too.

Preventing EMAIL id change might also help in case someone's clientArea Password is stolen. Hacker/kiddie would not be able to access it once the forget password option has been used by Original Client, and much more.

Also i've used Text stating "Please Raise a Support request should you need to change above Contact details/ownership".

Thanks again Si.

This is an awesome contribution. Thanks, Si!

gnpk: How did you do the above? I'd love to implement something like that.

Thanks in advance.

[plazmahost]

Hello - how would this work now as clients can add extra contacts - is there a way to disable adding new contacts or something?

thanks

daniel

[Si]

Hello - how would this work now as clients can add extra contacts - is there a way to disable adding new contacts or something?

thanks

daniel

You could always add new contacts. That makes absolutely no difference to this mod as it only affects the primary account holder. You don't get involved with editing any other files re additional contacts (why would you?).

Just follow the instructions that are provided.

Si

[plazmahost]

ok i got the wrong end of the stick with this

sorry - its my first time using whmcs

[addy1978]

FANTASTIC. Thanks for the script. Its works great and is really appreciated.

[addy1978]

Silly question.

Can this also be applied to the address of the account which would only allow a member to be able to change their phone number and email address?

If so, can somebody help with the code needed as i have had a quick play with no luck.

Thanks guys.

[XN-Matt]

Remember to also do something similar in creditcard.tpl file too - otherwise they can change it there and you WONT get an email telling you about it, as we found out.

[Damainman]

Does this also apply to the latest version?

[Si]

Yep. Running it on 4.0.2 with no issues.

[redrat]

@ Si (http://forum.whmcs.com/member.php?u=7211)

Thank you very much for this Si. It works brilliantly with 4.0.2. I've been meaning to arrange this protection for some time but just got around to it tonight. ;)

[rdavis]

Si,
Great script change. I do agree that some clients will try to change the owner or company info just to try to get over on not buying a product. Thanks for the code change, it worked right the first time.

FYI, the "HTML" link to your web location of your client transfer form did not work in the above script. It only came out as just text in the "My Details" of the Client Area. No big deal!

[Kanistic]

Does anyone know if this works with the latest release of WHMCS.. I currently have this implemented with version 4.02. I tried the upgrade of 4.1 but reverted back because I was unable to get this to get this to work with the upgraded version of 4.1. If anyone successfully has this implemented in V4.1 please let me know if you had to do anything differently.

Thanks,

[fakher]

yes it works gr8 with WHMCS 4.1.1 :)
i have just done it :)

[Kanistic]

Thanks for letting me know, I just finished reuploading the same files that I used during my first attempt (which included my edited 4.11 templates) and it worked. So I'm guessing that my site must have cached in firefox during my original upgrade, thus causing me to believe that their was an issue.

I'm glad to see that this still works, I'd just wish that this could be implemented as an included option to the next official upgrade.

[hklcf]

Many thanks.

[redrat]

This is one of those improvements that I hope makes it to the core release because it just should be there plus with an optional switch. So I'll say thanks, too Si. ;)

[Si]

This is one of those improvements that I hope makes it to the core release because it just should be there plus with an optional switch. So I'll say thanks, too Si. ;)

Yea, I agree and thanks. However, there have been many version upgrades since I first saw the need to do this and many people have implemented it on their own systems, but (correct me if I'm wrong) as far as I know it has never made it onto the list of new features to be added by the dev team.

Seems a shame since it's really simple to implement and is such a necessary feature to have (in my view) to be able to run your business.

Si

[duketx]

This is good. Very nicely done.
Thank you.

[mfiendd]

Great job, I just got this working. I to agree that this along with other details should be setup as an optional item to enable such as, cc, company name.

[BullsoftHosting - Tom]

This could be a nice feature to add to WHMCS as an optional feature within admin to switch this on or off. When ON, the customer sees a 'Transfer Account Ownership' button which when selected instructs the customer through a process similar to an order process etc etc enabling them to pay an admin fee where applicable as well?

I also would like to see that, would be a great feature to have :)

[weba]

Nice idea. I implemented it also(we are in the proces of customising WHMCS to our needs and plan to replace our current system with it in about 2 months).

We also added a TAX number and dont want that to change eather. Tax number is a custom field.

This is the code for that:
{if $customfield.name == 'TAX number}
<td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$customfield.name}</td>
<td>{$customfield.value}
<i>*You want to replace the tax number ?</i></td>
{else}
<td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$customfield.name}</td>
<td>{$customfield.input} {$customfield.required}</td>
{/if}

What important is, is that data on the invoice never change.
Right now when I choose another contact for the invoicing and sends a invoice again the name and stuff is changed on the invoice. This way the client can get the same invoice on 2 different names if he wants.

In my current system I copy the Name, companyname and taxnumber to the invoice when created and always use that info.

Should I change WHMCS to that or is something like this possible ?

[Greenix]

I'm just setting up so figured I'd upgrade right off the bat. I don't know enough about the program yet to know if this hack was included in the new version 4.2. If it's already been tried and not working input would be great.

Thanks!

[shagotik]

Hi i changed all code but it doesnt work for me



<div class="contentbox"><strong>{$LANG.clientareanavdetails}</strong> | <a href="{$smarty.server.PHP_SELF}?action=contacts">{$LANG.clientareanavcontacts}</a> | <a href="{$smarty.server.PHP_SELF}?action=addcontact">{$LANG.clientareanavaddcontact}</a>{if $ccenabled} | <a href="{$smarty.server.PHP_SELF}?action=creditcard">{$LANG.clientareanavchangecc}</a>{/if} | <a href="{$smarty.server.PHP_SELF}?action=changepw">{$LANG.clientareanavchangepw}</a> | <a href="{$smarty.server.PHP_SELF}?action=changesq">{$LANG.clientareanavsecurityquestions}</a></div>

<p class="heading2">{$LANG.clientareanavdetails}</p>

{if $successful}<div class="successbox">{$LANG.changessavedsuccessfully}</div><br />{/if}
{if $errormessage}<div class="errorbox">{$errormessage|replace:'<li>':' &nbsp;#&nbsp; '} &nbsp;#&nbsp; </div><br />{/if}

<form method="post" action="{$smarty.server.PHP_SELF}?action=details">
<input type="hidden" name="save" value="true" />
<input type="hidden" name="firstname" value="{$clientfirstname}">
<input type="hidden" name="lastname" value="{$clientlastname}">
<input type="hidden" name="companyname" value="{$clientcompanyname}">
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" class="frame"><tr><td>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareafirstname}*</td><td>{$clientfirstname}
*need to change these details?
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientarealastname}*</td><td>{$clientlastname}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareacompanyname}*</td><td>{$clientcompanyname}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareacompanyname}</td><td>{if in_array('companyname',$uneditablefields)}{$client companyname}{else}<input type="text" name="companyname" value="{$clientcompanyname}" size="25" />{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareaemail}</td><td>{if in_array('email',$uneditablefields)}{$clientemail} {else}<input type="text" name="email" value="{$clientemail}" size="50" />{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareaaddress1}</td><td>{if in_array('address1',$uneditablefields)}{$clientadd ress1}{else}<input type="text" name="address1" value="{$clientaddress1}" size="25" />{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareaaddress2}</td><td>{if in_array('address2',$uneditablefields)}{$clientadd ress2}{else}<input type="text" name="address2" value="{$clientaddress2}" size="25" />{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareacity}</td><td>{if in_array('city',$uneditablefields)}{$clientcity}{e lse}<input type="text" name="city" value="{$clientcity}" size="25" />{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareastate}</td><td>{if in_array('state',$uneditablefields)}{$clientstate} {else}<input type="text" name="state" value="{$clientstate}" size="25" />{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareapostcode}</td><td>{if in_array('postcode',$uneditablefields)}{$clientpos tcode}{else}<input type="text" name="postcode" value="{$clientpostcode}" size="25" />{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareacountry}</td><td>{if in_array('country',$uneditablefields)}{$clientcoun try}{else}{$clientcountriesdropdown}{/if}</td></tr>
<tr><td class="fieldarea">{$LANG.clientareaphonenumber}</td><td>{if in_array('phonenumber',$uneditablefields)}{$client phonenumber}{else}<input type="text" name="phonenumber" value="{$clientphonenumber}" size="25" />{/if}</td></tr>
</table>
</td></tr></table>

<br />

<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" class="frame"><tr><td>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$LANG.defaultbillingcontact}</td><td><select name="billingcid">
<option value="0">{$LANG.usedefaultcontact}</option>
{foreach key=num item=contact from=$contacts}
<option value="{$contact.id}"{if $contact.id eq $billingcid} selected="selected"{/if}>{$contact.name}</option>
{/foreach}
</select></td></tr>
</table>
</td></tr></table>

{if $customfields}
<br />
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" class="frame"><tr><td>
<table width="100%" cellpadding="2">
{foreach key=num item=customfield from=$customfields}
<tr><td width="150" class="fieldarea">{$customfield.name}</td><td>{$customfield.input} {$customfield.required}</td></tr>
{/foreach}
</table>
</td></tr></table>
{/if}

<p align="center"><input type="submit" value="{$LANG.clientareasavechanges}" class="buttongo" /> <input type="reset" value="{$LANG.clientareacancel}" class="button" /></p>

<table border="0" cellpadding="2" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" id="AutoNumber1" width="100%">
<tr>
<td><a name="*Change of account ownership">*Change of account ownership</a>

If you wish to change the ownership of your XYZ Hosting account into the name
of another individual, you both need to complete the
transfer of ownership form.</td>
</tr>
</table></form>

[bbd]

First post, woot!

Would this be the same as General Settings->Other->Locked Client Profile Fields in v4.4? If it is, does it automatically add the "open a support ticket to change these fields" message? I also think the transfer of ownership form is a great idea.

[Si]

First post, woot!

Would this be the same as General Settings->Other->Locked Client Profile Fields in v4.4? If it is, does it automatically add the "open a support ticket to change these fields" message? I also think the transfer of ownership form is a great idea.

It is the same in v4.4 now as you say, so no template modification is required to block out the fields, BUT, if you want to give customers direction to how they can transfer ownership or change the field contents you would need to write your own knowledgebase article and then link to it on the clientareadetails.tpl file.

[wilmatan]

Great modification indeed. I'm annoyed when customers change their account details more often.

I'll surely check your pdf later.

Thanks!

[steven300]

nice work nice posts thanx for sharing information.