That may (or may not) have to do with the hacking of a one or more large retail group's systems in the last twelve months (which has never been officially reported to the ASX).
Since then, checking GC balances requires verification etc etc, IP locations are now checked...
Even groups like E-rewards have since introduced IP checking.
Which is particularly frustrating when while overseas I kept getting emails saying "Travelling, waiting in a lounge? Why not complete a survey on the go!"
And, you guessed it, "IP address is outside your registered country - survey blocked" and similar messages.