Oh, boy. This is a fan-favorite around my home. I'd like merchants to stop asking me for identification when I use my credit card at my favorite retail store. My wife, on the other hand, gets upset if the cashier ignores the back of her card, which says "CID." Good, old Syd. But the CID brigade really isn't part of today's discussion. No. That was Friday's story (link here). Fact is, today's story addresses the issue of whether retailers should require an identification as a condition of sale. They should not.
Let's get the rule out of the way first. Merchants, per their agreement with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, are not allowed, when a customer presents a valid credit card at the register, to make identification a condition of the sale. Visa and MasterCard don't even want retailers to ask for ID. American Express and Discover, meanwhile, don't forbid the practice but encourage retailers to refrain from asking for identification. All four of the payment-network companies prefer that retailers compare the signature on the back of the card to the signature on the transaction slip. Now you know the rule.
In practice, however, the rules are often not followed. Cashiers, more often than not, ask for identification at the point of sale. And I understand why. They're simply following orders -- orders from their bosses who are worried about fraudulent credit-card purchases. I get it. I'm sympathetic to the rationale. That said, I'd prefer that retailers not ask me for ID.
Here's why: I'd like to get in and out of the store as quickly as possible. Pulling out my ID is just one more thing that I have to do. Moreover, pulling out my ID also increases the likelihood of me losing it. I've actually left my ID at the checkout counter before. On other occasions, I've seen people in front of me drop their identification and start walking away. Finally, I know that a lot of people would like to think that every cashier at the register is a dope -- and a brainless one at that -- but I don't buy it. It hasn't been my experience that cashiers are inherently stupid. Quite the opposite, actually.
I bring this part up because people often think there is no way that a cashier could remember the details of your identification along with the essential parts of your credit card. Don't kid yourself. These cashiers are not mindless idiots. Some of them, in fact, are both intelligent and criminal. One only needs to scan the newspaper to read about some ingenious cashier involved in the latest credit-card scam du jour. Because I don't know which ones possess both intelligence and criminal tendencies, I'd rather keep my identification in my wallet so that I don't have to find out. In the end, I'd simply rather keep my full legal name, address, date of birth, and driver license number private.
I used to debate the issue at the cash register when a cashier would ask me for identification. I no longer do that. First off, as I mentioned before, the cashier is only doing his or her job. I don't want to give that person grief. It's not fair. What I've resorted to is using my student identification. Want to see a picture? Have at it. There isn't much more than that on my card. My full name isn't there, my address isn't included, my driver license isn't anywhere to be found, and my date of birth is absent as well. The cashier is satisfied and I am satisfied (even if my chances of losing my student card go up each time I pull it out).
Other people, though, are much more rabid when it comes to this issue. Not only do they refuse to show ID, they'll get in shouting matches with cashiers at the register. Additionally, after they've left the store, some of these customers call Visa or MasterCard and report the retailer for violating the merchant agreement it signed. MasterCard has provided a Web site where customers can file complaints. These customers use it. See here (link here). Visa, meanwhile, does not provide an online form. Instead, it recommends that you contact your credit-card company, which will know how to handle Visa merchant violations. You can also notify Visa via email at askvisacorporate@visa.com. You can also call 800-VISA-911.
Those who don't mind getting asked for ID (and showing it) think that those who insist on not showing ID are goofy. What's the big deal? Show the ID and be on your merry way. Plus, by showing ID, you're cutting down on the risk of having your card used for a bunch of fraudulent purchases. Showing ID protects you, they argue.
There is no shortage of opinions when it comes to this issue. People who don't have a problem complying with ID requests think that those who do have a problem are idiots. Those who don't want to comply with ID requests, think those who do are complete morons. Don't believe me? I'm betting that I'll have plenty of comments (below) illustrating my point.
In the meantime, I've found a happy medium. Though I would rather not show any form of identification when I use my credit card, I'm perfectly content to use my nondescript student identification. It ain't much (mostly just a picture), but it seems to satisfy the cashier.
It's not perfect, but it'll do for now. 
Monday, September 8, 2008
No Identification Required?
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27 comments:
Goof! No, no, I do agree. It's just a pain in the neck and sometimes I just hate showing my mug shot of a picture. Though, what I hate the most is that if you do put up a fight the cashier as well as those on line behind you think you are some sort of a thief trying to get around the security check. Have you ever had such encounters?
In the end, if it protects my security, I'll show it. Though I do hear you loud and clear.
I have had such encounters, which is why I no longer argue with the cashiers. I can still recall this lady behind me; she thought I was nuts trying to explain the merchant agreement to a poor cashier.
Now I'm just using an old student ID. If they want to play the game, I'll play the game.
How about those cards that put your picture on the credit card itself...I personally don't like how they look but I guess it does satisfy "ID".
While I understand that they officially cannot require ID as a condition of sale, I don't mind when they request it. I think, if you don't want to show it, a simple "please check my signature" should do.
Now, of course, this requires that the average cashier be trained to accept this. Sadly, most stores train that the cashiers must require ID or risk losing their job. Now that is a real problem.
Josh, it's definitely a way to reduce the amount of times that I have to pull out an additional form of identification.
Lion, your last sentence hits the nail on the head. The cashiers are just following orders. If he or she does not do the job, the boss will find someone who will.
It's a tough situation -- especially when the cashier comes up against someone who is adamant about throwing the merchant agreement into the mix.
Though I would prefer to not show ID, the student ID is making my life easier.
You should correct your post.
http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/rules_for_visa_merchants.pdf
"When should you ask a cardholder for an official government ID? Although Visa
rules do not preclude merchants from asking for cardholder ID, merchants
cannot make an ID a condition of acceptance. Therefore, merchants cannot
refuse to complete a purchase transaction because a cardholder refuses to
provide ID. Visa believes merchants should not ask for ID as part of their
regular card acceptance procedures."
I'll do you a favor, I will tighten up a sentence. My first paragraph says condition of sale. But I will tighten up the second paragraph as well.
There you go, Stephen. Thanks for setting me straight. Now the language is correct. My language was too sloppy in paragraph two.
Thanks for reading.
Guess we're in the same boat on this one.
I'm an No ID advocate (except when ID legally required by federal/state law), but I do show something when it is insisted for... when I can't get my point across within the first try.
I also use my (ab)use my student ID to satisfy superficial ID checks. It has the college name, a picture of me, my name and a totally useless 15-20 digit number on it (can't remember exact length, but it's long enough to discourage people from writing down the whole thing in most cases).
Much more safer than divulging the information printed on a driver's license.
With that in mind, I will get an alumni photo ID card (that is, if the state hasn't cut the budget too much and my college continues to offer them) when I graduate.
---
Thankfully, in my part of town, nobody bothers to check ID for a routine purchase. There's a strong risk of pissing off and losing an entire crowd of customers behind me if they decide to play that game.
The few times I do see people being asked for ID, the request seems to be correlated to race (something Americans will go desperately to ignore, but it's still firm rooted) and/or personal apperance (Unkempt appearance? Perfect candidate!). Not in the best category for both in my case, but good enough to fly anyway.
Let the "ID me! C'mon I'm desperate to get carded" people go chase red herrings!
Interesting issue. I don't think most people even know that merchants are not supposed to ask for ID.
I noticed that I'm usually asked for ID when I'm shopping in lower- & middle-class neighborhoods. But it never happens when I'm shopping in a swank zip code.
I have had ID theft when shown at shops in third world countries. The police found out that the store owner had a camera above the check out register and the trained cashier held the ID and credit card just so that the camera could capture the info on my cards--and they promptly stole my info and used it fradulently. Interesting huh!
Never again will I show ID anywhere - thier loss on fradulent charges it no MY responsbility. Which is why they check ID in the first place -- lots of charge backs.
The last comment is interesting. A lot of stores in the U.S. use cameras above the register.
In California, merchants are not allowed to write down any information (except under certain conditions). But if they're actually videotaping the transaction, that's akin to writing down my information. Something to think about.
Marcus,
I've been waiting for this article. I'm on the "no show" side of the fence for reasons of personal financial security as well. There are simply WAY too many shady folks out there and you need to protect your neck.
One aspect of this debate, after some cursory internet research, I've failed to uncover is how it applies to store credit cards that are not co-branded Visa/MC/etc. As consumers that hold and use such cards, are we afforded the same "no identification" flexibilities as if we had a branded card?
GG, not sure on that one. My guess is that stores have a lot more latitude when they're dealing with their store-issued cards (even though they're being underwritten by huge financial companies like Citibank). I'll see if I can dig something up, though.
When a certain retailer, based in Bentonville, decides they think checking ID will reduce fraud, then MC and Visa will change their rules.
Probably true. Walmart is a juggernaut.
I just had a claim (working for a TPA for a big retailer)involving this issue. A woman had gone to the store and was trying to use her husband's credit card. The cashier asked for ID and of course, her name did not match the name on the card. The customer was pretty pissed. She had to call her husband to come and verify it was ok for her to use the card. Meanwhile, as she is waiting to the side for her husband to arrive, another customer runs over her foot with a shopping cart.
I got the claim because of the foot injury, but guess what we spent 99% of the call talking about? The fact that she had to present ID, and the fact that she wasn't allowed to use her husband's card after presenting that ID. Turns out the foot wasn't really hurt; it was her ego that was bruised.
Marilie, most credit card agreements say -- unequivocally -- that only the cardmember is allowed to use the card. If the spouse wants to use the card, he or she should become an authorized user. Otherwise, a cashier should (rightfully) not allow the transaction.
The lady deserved a smack down. Under no circumstances would I allow a person, who is not named on the card, to use it.
M, sounds like you have an interesting job.
You should come down to my store, where people attempt credit fraud on a daily basis. Logically whats going to stop someone from racking up charges if they know ID will not be checked? Checking ID is one of the few things that stop these types of fraudulent activity. As for a the student id,most stores will only accept govt issued ID.
LOL @ the smack down. She felt because they checked her ID, and her last name and her husband's last name were the same, that she should have been allowed to use the card. She was verklempt, to say the least.
Her husband came to the store and authorized use of the card (I guess he ultimately signed the receipt?). But, it wasn't the store's fault that some idiot ran over her foot and then cussed her out for being in the way. I told her that if she felt the cashier embarassed her by asking for ID, that was something she needed to take up directly with store management.
It's a VERY interesting job...the sense of entitlement out here is mind boggling.
I wonder how many spouses are out here using cards with no issue? What if they were going through a divorce? Checking the ID would have stopped any spousal revenge. I guess I can see it from both sides. I tend to flash the ID with my finger over the DOB/address - all they need to see is the name.
Whew! I am glad you covered everything here.
I never ask for ID unless there's a CID on the back of the card.
The ONLY reason I ask for ID is because the customer requests it! It makes me look good, gets the sale, and sends them on their merry way.
Truth is, it does not protect you from fraud.
Just because a cashier asks see your ID today does not mean that very same cashier won't steal your whole identity! Yep, they certianly can, and do. I worked with a person who did this very thing. Eventually she was caught, but not until she had charged thousands on many different customers credit cards.
A cashier can learn your entire name address and drivers license number, along with your credit card number. By insisting they ask for your ID, you have just set yourself up for fraud.
I don't like the whole CID thing either.
People, mostly card carriers, are completely uneducated about how a credit card works.
I could rant about this very topic for a solid week!!
Marilie, well it was obvious that she had not read her husband's card agreement. If she had, she'd know that only the named person can use the card for purchases.
SB, thanks for the post. You're preaching to the choir here (at least with me).
Anon, regarding my student ID, every business has accepted it so far. I'll let you know if I ever get shut down. It'll be at that point that I will let the cashier know that I am not even obligated to present a picture ID.
Camera is nothing in MN a city run liqour store swipes the mag strip of the driver lic with EVERY purchase so as to not be blamed with discrimination. But the nifty strip has much more infomation than just address and name it has DL # eye color, ht wt and organ donor status and if you need glasses or not to drive I bet it also says if you ever had DWI on record at time it was pressed or created. ie if it was on record when you renewed your lic it probabably on mag strip even if due to drop off your record with state. all this informtion collected togther on one computer for convenience ( for the computer hacker or ID theif;s convenience) listing the plethora of information on the DL mag strip with the transaction or CC information. They claimed when it was reported on news they didnt know how to program the reader to just check ages or to dump the information after use so it just sat there on the computer. Wow a hacker would have a hard time getting past their computer security if they cant figure out how to use the software they purchased. plus its run by sity government even more secure becuase of that. That is why I never give my zipcode or ph number or anyother id at the register they ask for too much, let me pay and leave damn it what next how many pets do i have? pretty soon each time I check out a survey only 100 pages long to get a free ipod?
I used to cashier but I want those RFID check outs like at aldi in germany (they had a pilot store I think) load cart flash Credit card roll past RFID sensor and done! all computerized. well maybe thats not good idea afterall...
Anon, thanks for your lengthy comment. The bottom line is that there is a lot of personal information floating around out there. In MN, they now have a LOT more information floating around. Sucks to be them!
Thanks for the comment.
"Though, what I hate the most is that if you do put up a fight the cashier as well as those on line behind you think you are some sort of a thief trying to get around the security check."
This is exactly why we need to stand up to ID checkers. Since when did privacy become indicative of criminal activity? That sentiment, shared by much of the public, is quite Orwellian.
Yep. No doubt about it. I got to the point where I just tired of it all. In fact, I recall not long ago when I had a group of people giving me a stink eye because I was holding up the line with my insistence that an ID was not required. You know several of the people must have thought that I was trying to hide from something.
Eventually, I just started using a student ID with so little information on it that it's useless for cashiers. But they take it anyhow.
Works for me.
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