What's with the ID Check?

There seems to be a growing trend among restaurants, retail outlets, movie theaters -- almost any place that accepts a credit card -- to ask you for additional identification (like a driver's license) when you use your credit card. What's up with that? Isn't the fact that I'm presenting the card (signed on the back, by the way), good enough? If it was a stolen card, wouldn't the person it was stolen from already have canceled it? It just doesn't make any sense to me why merchants are doing this -- unless it's to protect themselves from fraud. But even with that explanation, I still don't want to show my driver's license to some hourly worker I don't know. Call me paranoid, call me uncooperative, or call me whatever -- I don't want to show extra ID when I use my credit card.

I recently asked a checker why she wanted to see my ID and she said, "It's for your protection." Really? Really? How exactly is it for my protection? I didn't ask her since there was a long line behind me, but I can't think of one reasonable way it would be for MY protection. Worst case, I'm a thief using a stolen card. How exactly is carding me for MY protection?

Well, it turns out that asking for additional ID is against credit card policy -- at least for Visa. Here's what the Consumerist notes from Visa:

Merchants may not refuse to honor a Visa card simply because the cardholder refuses a request for supplementary information. The only exception is when a Visa card is unsigned when presented. However, "See ID" is not considered a valid signature. In these situations, a merchant must obtain authorization, review additional identification, and require the cardholder to sign the card before completing a transaction.

To report any merchant practices that you feel are inappropriate, please notify the disputes area at the financial institution that issued your card account. Your card issuing bank has access to the appropriate Visa rules and regulations as well as to the Notification of Customer Complaint forms which should be used by your bank to document and file merchant complaints.

As an alternative, you may contact the Global Customer Care Services to report merchant practices that you feel are inappropriate. Please contact the Global Customer Care Services at 1-800-VISA-911 (1-800-847-2911). Please advise them that you were referred to file a complaint. The staff will be able to initiate a complaint form over the phone.

I already believed this was the case, but now that I know it for sure, I'm planning on being more forceful the next time I'm asked for my ID. Maybe I'll even carry this statement in my Blackberry, so I can whip it out and quote the facts when needed.

Then again, maybe I'm getting all worked up about nothing. Your take?

Comments

[David]

I would say it's more trouble to resist than to just flash them your ID. So long as you don't have your SSN on you driver's liscense, I don't see the big deal. If you're going to make a fuss about it, I would bring your argument to the people who can do something about it, not the hourlies at the register. I've been one before and, believe me, we honestly don't care. We're just doing our jobs.

[T.C.]

I think you're getting worked up about nothing. It's not like they are photocopying your driver's license. They are just verifying that you are who your credit card states you are. An extra layer of protection against fraud in case someone is trying to use a stolen credit card that hasn't yet been reported stolen.

[the7thlover]

My take is to stop using those damn things! I quit using can canceled my credit cards 3 years back and i am loving it. Cash or a debit card only. And merchants love it too, since there are no transaction fees on cash!

[Kari]

This has been a crusade of mine for awhile now. These stores are violating their merchant agreement, and there have been more and more in my area as well.

I know it's not that much of a pain to show my ID, but Visa AND MasterCard made it their policy to not require ID for a reason. There were even commercials out for awhile about being able to use your Visa Check Card without ID, touting the benefits of that versus a paper check.

I like to just grab my credit card and walk down the block to grab lunch while at work. I don't like carrying my entire wallet and shouldn't have to, that's why I have a credit card (well, for that and the rewards).

I know MasterCard has a form on their website to submit information, so I do that whenever a business requires it instead of holding people up in the store. I'm sure Visa has one too.

Interestingly, I've reported one chain in my area several times, and the last time I went there, they didn't ask. I have no way of knowing when or why their policy changed, but who knows...

[Eden]

Funny because I used to write 'check ID' on the back of my cards and the merchant rarely asked for my ID. My wife and I also use each others cards and the merchant never bothers to wonder why a man is named Jennifer (of course my name could easily go either way).

What is really annoying is when I use my debit card for something under $10 and they want a signature on something and to see an ID.

[SP]

You are paranoid and uncooperative. :)

[Kari]

P.S. It's not an extra layer of protection when you aren't responsible for charges made on a stolen card anyway. I've heard you're responsible for up to $50, but even that is easily waived.

It's not like the store is going to track down the true owner of the card so they know it's stolen. The thief will just go to the next store, or online, to use it.

[FMF]

SP --

Yes, I am. ;-)

[Morydd]

Asking for the ID doesn't violate the merchant agreement, but requiring it does. That said, I prefer that they ask. I'd like to believe that if I ever lose my card, I'll have it cancelled before anyone attempted to use it, but generally, if someone's going to use it, they're going to use it as fast as possible. If someone tries to use my card, and the request for ID causes them to back out, it's more likely that someone will notice. If the person viewing the ID attempted to record any data off of it, then I'd cancel the purchase and leave.

[Jake]

(1) I haven't noticed any increase in this
(2) It sounds like you just want to inconvenience the people who ask for your ID out of spite. Clearly won't do you any good. Just generates a confrontation where there is no need.

[Servius]

I'd rather they checked my ID instead of relied on a signature. Anybody can copy my signature. At least forging an ID requires an additional effort and slows them down enough that if I notice my card missing I can have already canceled it.

I didn't realize requiring an ID violates Visa's contract. I don't care for that policy.

[Pete]

I usually will show them my ID, but I don't just hand it over to them. I will hold it up in front of their face for a second and then put it back into my wallet. I haven't had anyone ask me for it twice.

[David]

the7thlover,

Why would you not used credit cards when you can earn quite a bit of cash back by doing so? Who cares about merchant fees? That's their problem, not mine.

[Emily C]

I have a different perspective. I don't work retail, but as a resident manager for part of a large apartment complex. If someone I don't know gets locked out, I'm required to ask for ID and check it against a master list of residents.

Do you know how long it takes to find the appropriate information, let alone try to remember it? Too long.

Most clerks at the one establishment I frequent that asks for ID don't look nearly long enough to find the real information. I know because my wallet covers up my first and middle names, so if they find the name they're not checking it thoroughly.

But I use American Express, so I don't know their policy. and my card is unsigned.

[anna]

Don't give the clerks a hard time. I used to work retail, and we HAD to ask. I hated every second of it, but I needed the paycheck. If we didn't, we'd get in trouble with our bosses. If you don't like the policy, make a complaint to the supervisor, because the clerks aren't in a position to make policy -- just enforce it.

I will say when people held up an id to my face, I looked at it even MORE carefully, because it's such a weird way to look at an item (usually you hold something in your hand and quickly scan it.)

As to your personal information...honestly there's so much distraction at a register, between the noise of the customers and trying to keep track of the cash that really, all anyone is doing is looking to see if the picture on the ID matches the face of the person holding the card.

I can't even tell you how many times I had someone say, "well, it's just my *mom/dad/boyfriend/exboyfriend/lastdudeImugged's card, why can't I use it?" And look at me like I'm the crazy one when I say that as I don't know your husband/lover/dudeinthetrunk I still can't take a credit card that doesn't belong to the person holding it. People try this ALL. OF. THE. TIME.

The best: "well, the last names match, why can't I use it?" Um...ok, Mr. Jones. Go ahead and use it.

Figure, you see the average retail clerk maybe 5 times a week, tops. The average clerk might see 500 customers a week, easy, and so we're running into enough dishonest people to make us a little wary.

[LARRY]

Why is it so many people do not
sign their card, I believe I read that if you do not sign your card you are personally responsible for all debts run up by someone who steals your card.The 50.00 limitation does not apply. Is that so?
So if you are personally responsible for the debt, and ID is required, why do people not sign the cards?

[Ggrrl]

A few years back, someone broke into my car in my driveway and stole my wallet (yes, I was an idiot to leave it in the car). This occurred around 6 a.m. By the time I discovered that it had happened around 8:00 a.m., the thieves had already gone on a total shopping spree, including buying $400 worth of groceries at the Food Lion. If the clerk had asked for an ID, the rotten SOBs who stole my card wouldn't have gotten away with the loot at least. I didn't have to pay the amount charged, but it still frosts me. That's why I don't mind showing my ID when I am making an unusual or high cost purchase. It does annoy me when I'm buying a pack of gum, but I understand that if I am buying a computer or television, the store may want to see ID.

[the7thlover]

@David - Not trying to convince you, but just give the following a sincere 2 min thought

While it is true that a lot (all?) cards offer some reward or another, the time invested in keeping up with the card, reward program, using the rewards with all the 3 Billion caveats, is more than just not using them and asking for a discount when paying cash/debit, since the merchant does not get charged a transaction fee (or maybe a reduced fee with a debit card).

Also, to quote Dave Ramsey "If you play with snakes, you will get bitten" I think sooner or later they will get you, because the card companies are not going to take a loss. Look at their balance sheet, they are having record profits year over year. You think we can get them at THEIR game even though you get a measly reward for every X dollar spent?

[klauss]

Could help to thwart individuals who sign up for cards in others names when every time they use a credit card, they are asked for ID. There are ways around that too, but could help to have ID required.

[Liz]

I handle credit cards for our business account at work and one of our (idiot?) guys left his truck unlocked with his wallet in it overnight. By the time he discovered all his stuff gone in the morning, EVERY credit card in his wallet had been charged on and we had to file a police report, deal with all the credit card companies for the fraud, etc. This is NOT worth your time, effort, and/or possibly having to pay any of the charges back, just because you want to avoid having to show your ID, which takes about 4 extra seconds. In this instance, if even just one cashier would have asked for ID and actually matched it to the card for a name or ANYTHING, it would have been a huge blessing for us (me) in the end.... this could be you too. :)

[Cara]

I was asked for ID for using my Discover card at the CVS in my office building. I had only brought the card down so I was in a pickle but she told me they were happy just with my employee ID badge that only has my picture and name. Maybe it's time to issue a new ID card (or make your own) with just your picture and name. Of course you could steal credit cards and make the same ID card using their name and your picture and no one would know....The merchants really don't need anything else off your driver's license.

[Mike B.]

@the7thlover

I understand you are fighting the good fight, but you are pissing money away while doing it. I've gotten over $2000 from AE (your so called 'measly' reward) over the last 4 years--no amount of fees charged to me will ever amount to that. The everyday retailers aren't going to give you a break for using cash, they'll just pocket the money. Maybe for some big purchases you could get a break, but then do the cost anaylses and decide which one is better.

Nearly everyone else is using a card, why not benefit from the direction it has already gone and take some of that money back?

As for the original post, I like being asked for my ID because that signature thing is worthless. I've noticed this happens to me a lot in CA, but not so much elsewhere: does anyone else get this impression?

[rwh]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

[David]

the7thlover,

It's people that carry a balance on their credit cards that allow people like me to enjoy rewards. The mere 1-5 percent cash back we get is a pitance compared to the outrageous interest rates some fools out there are paying.

And I don't see how the CC companies are going to "get me." I have set up autopayments so I'm never late. I've been doing it this way for years and have had no problems. What exactly would they do to change that?

You don't seem to really understand these rewards cards. There is no time spent "keeping up" with them. You make purchases, your bill is paid each month, you get cash back. Pretty simple. I think I'd rather do that then haggle with each merchant for a discount.

[the7thlover]

@Mike B. @David

Those are fair points. However it is just the way i choose to live.

Also, the recent Congress hearings regarding deceptive practices like double billing, not posting payments, Universal default rate, changing the billing cycle from 30 to 10 days, marketing in and to college freshmen, teaching in schools that CC are "good" etc. point towards a business that does not have ethics. Fines just surpassed earnings from interest for CC companies. Just because you guys have not been burned, does not make them a good business. CC companies do not practice ethical capitalism.

David - Kudos for not carrying a balance. I wish all card holders would realize that this is just a short term "loan"

Mike - It is not a fight, just by choice.

[Mike B.]

@the7thlover

I understand you are fighting the good fight, but you are pissing money away while doing it. I've gotten over $2000 from AE (your so called 'measly' reward) over the last 4 years--no amount of fees charged to me will ever amount to that. The everyday retailers aren't going to give you a break for using cash, they'll just pocket the money. Maybe for some big purchases you could get a break, but then do the cost anaylses and decide which one is better.

Nearly everyone else is using a card, why not benefit from the direction it has already gone and take some of that money back?

As for the original post, I like being asked for my ID because that signature thing is worthless. I've noticed this happens to me a lot in CA, but not so much elsewhere: does anyone else get this impression?

[David]

Yeah, the7thlover, I look at credit cards simply as a more convenient way of paying cash. I never make a purchase that I couldn't pay directly out of my checking account if need be. So I feel like I'm the perfect candidate to take advantage of rewards cards. People that carry balances, however, they have some serious problems that a little reward isn't going to fix. You're right on that.

[Declan Shanaghy]

#1 I can't believe this is Visa's policy
#2 I can't believe you support it.

I heard a story about from a guy at a Jiffy Lube that they got fined $10,000 for asking someone for ID who had a signed card.

It doesn't make any sense to NOT check ID.
The signature on the back is there to verify that the signed docket matches it. Not to authorize any Joe Soap who gets possession of the card to use it.

As an online merchant who CANNOT check ID I witness 1st hand the amount of fraud that is out there. And believe me its RAMPANT. I have no comeback when a chargeback comes through. Chargeback fees are the bane of my life. (Well they were until i found maxmind.com)

As a consumer i get mad when someone accepts my card without even looking at the back. Because if they did bother their arse to look they would see that it says "ID REQUIRED"

[Cynthia C]

I think they should ask for ID. I think that stores that don't make it easy for people to use stolen cards. If everyone asked, then stealing cards and card numbers may not be as popular.

[this ought to get you riled up then]

target doesn't even check signatures....at all. Card gets popped in the machine and popped right back to you. the cashier does not need to ever touch the card.

[nillmo]

When I worked retail, they told us to check ID if the user did not have the card signed. I'm not sure what good that did.

However, I had a lady who started out a transaction with an unsigned card. I asked for her ID. Her ID was from out of state and did not match her card name. Then, she tried to write a check from yet another name. Needless to say, she was told to go get cash please, and complete her purchase.

Now, if I had not checked ID for an unsigned card, she would have made off with several hundred dollars of clothes. All that had to happen was to pick up someone's card that they dropped on the floor or she lifted out of a pocket.

I don't this it is so bad to flash your ID with your card. Just shows that you are on the up and up, or at least intelligent enough to forge an ID that matches the card name.

[Mrs. Accountability]

It does bug me a little when I'm asked to prove who I am with my photo ID, but I realize it can be a good thing because of all the credit fraud. Something else I've noticed - when at Walmart if the checkout clerk is the same race as I am, I am not asked to show my ID. But if our races are different, I have to produce my ID.

[Todd the Bod]

Don't be a jerk to the people who ring you up. They probably dislike doing it as much as you do. If you have an issue with it speak to someone in management. And yeah, I think you're being paranoid. It's not like they're asking for your social security card or photocopying anything.

[Jamius]

if a credit card at my business does not "swipe", we do not accept it....and you betcha we ask for ID...to protect out butz. what is with the swipe? it may be demagnatized. and if I then manually type in the 16 digit numbers...and it is fraud...I am out the money because I manually typed in the numbers on my credit card machine. fun fun!

[Param Iyer]

This happened with me only ONCE at Best Buy & once with my friend (again at another Best Buy). I don't see it implemented as a store policy or by all cashiers or across all customers.
I didn't create a scene - showed my DL, but later complained to my issuer citing Visa rules. They said that though it is not mandatory, the merchant MAY ask for extra ID. Ambiguity RULES!!!
Not sure if our being "darker" than the other customers had something to do with it... hope NOT!

[Todd]

This happened to me when I bought a kroger gift card this week (I posted about their current 10% back offer at the link below). The checkout person said it was required with all gift card purchases of over $50 (if paying with credit).

On a related note, it bugs me when (usually small) companies have a sign posted saying that there is a minimum in order to use a credit card. This is in violation of the merchant agreement (I'm told).

That's it. I'm moving to the mountains where they take livestock as currency. No-one ever asks to see my id or requires a minimum purchase amount when paying with live chickens! :-)

[Christopher Smith]

A debate of this sort tends to break out whenever there's a story about this on Consumerist. Here's my two cents:

I'm firmly in the camp that does not want to show additional identification. These days, you don't need a Social Security number to be able to rip someone's credit card off--what you do need is the home address, exactly what is provided on a driver's license.

I don't try to argue or convince cashiers that they shouldn't require ID; it's typically not their call. I do try to find out as closely as I can who decided to institute "the policy" and then report the merchant to VISA or MasterCard. If that means at some point that I have to leave a cartful of perishables at the register, though, I will (hasn't happened yet).

Just like demanding ID at the airport, this is a "security theater" matter that doesn't actually reduce fraud. If you are concerned about having your card stolen and want a photo ID check, you can get a card with your picture on it, and that *is* required to match. However, most of the time stolen cards are used at an unattended terminal like a gas station, and requiring ID (on the card or separately) won't help there. What will help is what AmEx does--require the purchaser to enter the billing ZIP code. A fraudster may be able to guess it after a few tries, but it works even at automated terminals and can alert the issuer quickly if the card is stolen.

[sahm]

I do not mind at all when they ask for my ID. I had my AX stolen. They charged 2 tanks of gas on it before heading to a local electronics store. Apparently the cashier did ask for ID and it did not match. AX called us that evening to ask if we tried to make a purchase. I was not even aware I did have the AX in my possession. I wasn't liable for any of the charges (only the 2 tanks of gas). This is one of those cards that I was supposed to have my pic on the back. Needless to say, I immediately went to get my pic on my new one...

[Matt S.]

I don't mind being asked for my state ID. In fact, as a protection against fraudulent use of my card, I always write "PHOTO ID REQUIRED" in the signature panel of my credit cards. The funny thing is, merchants rarely check for the signature anyway, and consequently rarely ask me for my state ID.

But more than hoping that a cashier will block a transaction from a credit card thief, I'm hoping that the lack of signature will be enough to discourage a thief from trying to use the card to begin with.

[Josh]

Nothing much to add I suppose, but it seems like perhaps this posting was intended specifically to get people going ;) I mostly can't imagine that you are being serious about being annoyed that someone wants to confirm the identity of the person flashing a credit card around.

If you're lucky you could get your card cancelled very quickly, but I would argue that odds are a person has a good 30 minutes to make use of it and I for one would be thankful if that person got stopped by the "annoyance" of being asked for an ID.

I'm actually the opposite... I'm annoyed when they *don't* ask me, as that seems to be that they really don't care to protect me. Ironically, I used to find that it was way more likely that gas stations and fast food joints (charges $50).

Something to be said for the EU Chip-and-PIN system (which has some of its own issues though).

Really enjoy your blog, but this one was pretty whacky :)

[Gus]

I am with FMF on this one.
Americans are fortunate in that we enjoy a great amount of personal freedom. Many people take this for granted. We only have this personal freedom so long as we value it and are vigilant in guarding it. I see FMF and others' actions as valuing and protecting their privacy, not as simply "being difficult" for difficultly's sake.

I did something similar several years ago when my state in New England started asking for my SSN to put on my driver's license. Knowing that I wasn't required to give it to them, I refused. The agent couldn't understand why I wouldn't "be cooperative" A few months later the state did an about-face and stopped putting the SSN on the license. It was a dumb idea - creating an instant "steal my identity" card.

My point is: if you don't value your liberties, no one else will. In the words of Benjamin Franklin,

"They that would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"

This is as true today as ever.

[Scott]

Just my 2 cents. I have been writing "Ask for ID" on *all* my credit and debit cards for about four years now. Merchants ask me for my ID maybe one out of ten times. The other 9 concern me, but if you monitor your credit/debit card accounts every few days, I feel I am covered.

[Natalie]

I don't mind when clerks ask to see my ID on cc purchases. But I DO mind when I go to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and the pharm. cashier asks me to verify my address before giving my presciption. Announcing where I live to a store full of people seems much more dangerous than showing a clerk my ID. So I usually whip that out and make them read it to themselves instead of saying it aloud. That system needs to be reconsidered befre the 'can I see your id' one does.

[Olivia]

@Natalie
The pharmacy asks to verify your address as a second identifier to make sure they're giving you the correct prescription, instead of Natalie SameName on the next street over. Asking to see your ID may be a more time-consuming process than verbally checking your address. And by address, you don't need to say your house number if you don't feel comfortable; you can just say the street name.

[Marilin]

If anyone wants proof to print and carry in their wallet, it can be found here: http://merchants.visa.com/accepting/pdfs/Card_Acceptance_and_Chargeback_Guidelines.pdf pages 28 and especially the bolded passage in 29 which states:

"...[M]erchants cannot make an ID a condition of acceptance. Therefore, merchants cannnot refuse to complete a purchase transaction because a cardholder refuses to provide ID."