What can I do when a Merchant asks for ID when presented with a (signed, valid) Credit Card?? Can I sue somehow?? I could use the dough (to pay the bill that they asked for ID on... cough
Unfortunately your lawsuit won't get very far: It is only an urban legend that it is somehow illegal or against VISA/MC policy for a merchant to request ID. In fact, that violates no law at all, nor does it violate any VISA/MC policy. Additionally, it may well save your butt if you happen to leave your credit card at an airport snack counter one day. Another [incorrect] urban legend: "The only time they can ask you for ID is if the card is not signed and you sign it in front of them." Wrong again. In fact, I once telephoned VISA International at 1-800-VISA-911 and asked whether it was against their internal regulations for a merchant to ask for photo ID. The answer was a pat "no" -- feel free to verify. The full quote in my notes: "If there is any reason that the merchant feels that they need additional information to confirm the customer's identity, then the merchant may ask for additional identifying information." In addition, I similarly telephoned American Express and asked them if it is against their policy for a merchant to request photo ID. Their direct quote from my notes: "Absolutely not. About 3% of our merchants require photo ID. It is strictly up to them." I didn't bother calling MasterCard, but perhaps someone else here will; I suspect their policy is the same. Doc
I wonder what the rules actually are? I once loaned a credit card to my wife (who left her purse at home) and the merchant wouldn't accept it from her, but I can give my card to my eleven year old daughter and she can charge things. Go figure.
Exactly. TO me the only people who would have a problem with this is the criminal. You have to pull out your card anyways, whats the bother with showing your license also. Its funny though. I use to be clean cut and would never be asked for id. Now i have long hair and a beard and get asked all the time. lol.
YOU CAN TELL THEM TO KEEP THEIR STUFF AND CREDIT THE ACCOUNT... You can iform them that it VIOLATES credit card policy to ask for ID on a signed card... Ask for their business name address deposit bank phone number And inform them that VISA/MC will be notified... SOME THINK IT IS AN "URBAN LEGEND"...BUT I HAVE A LETTERS FROM VISA/MC STATING THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO ASK FOR ID ON A SIGNED CARD...SIGN AND GO... If the signature does NOT match or there is NO signature...BY ALL MEANS ASK FOR AN ID!!!
STORES ARE NOT FRAUD INVESTIGATORS...THE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES HAVE A FRAUD DEPARTMENT...but if a cashier has a "feeling" that a FRAUD is going to happen...they can always call and check with VISA/MC...it is a special CODE CALL (FOR SECURITY REASONS, I WON'T SAY THAT CODE HERE) Or if the card says MARY SMITH and it is a "GUY"...by all means ask for ID
I'm with you George!!! It is NOT an Urban Legend at all. I have reported several stores for asking for ID. Mastercard has a 1-800 number just for this. I called after an upsetting incident at a Walmart. They said it absolutely violates their terms of service. Unless a cashier has reason to believe there is fraud, they do not have the right to ask for ID. I told her the clerk said it was their store policy. She said their terms of service contract overrides any store policy. I am certainly not a criminal but I find it useless and time consuming to have to show ID. It is just one more thing to have to dig through my purse for. Not only that but my picture is one where I weight nearly 100 pounds more. This picture was taken over 10 years ago, and trust me, it looks nothing like me now (thank goodness). I do not believe for a moment that some 18 year old minimum wage cashier could look at that picture and say it is me.
I'm with you George!!! What to do??? Thank the merchant for asking you for your ID. You are probably the same type that gets angry with the airport screeners. I know, I know, the added inconveniance of taking 3/10's of a second to pull out your ID id such a hassle. You have the 800 number complain to Visa/MC. I wish I had your problems.
I'm with you George!!! IF VISA/MC "INTENDED" THAT ID BE ASKED FOR WITH EVERY PURCHASE...THEY WOULD ELIMINATE THE SIGNATURE STRIP AND IT WOULD SAY ON THE FRONT OF THE CARD "ID REQUIRED WITH ALL SALES" IN BIG LETTERS!!!
Re: I'm with you George!!! CONGRATULATIONS on the 100 less pounds...I would spend the money to get a new license...(but DON'T show anybody)...
Re: I'm with you George!!! I felt like I needed to reply to this thread as this has always been an issue for me also. My problem is...ten people can pay with a credit card in front of me and not be asked for ID ONE TIME!!! but the minute I step up to pay with MY credit card, they REQUIRE MY id. If the reason for asking for id is to curve fraud fine! I am all for it, especially with everything that is going on today. But what about id for the ten people that paid before me!! I don't understand it. I am an african american female in my mid thirties..neat, clean and non threatening. I am all for security..but what's going on????
Re: Re: I'm with you George!!! RACIAL PROFILING IS ILLEGAL F.Y.I.~~My store is in a predominately WHITE city...but I "PERSONALLY" rarely ask AFRICAN AMERICAN'S for ID...THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO SIGN THE CARD LIKE IT SAYS TO!!! "VOID IF NOT SIGNED" "NOT VALID UNLESS SIGNED" I DON'T PROFILE~~except when some guy buys 25 qty--31" TV'S with a check or cash~~WHY DIDN'T THE IDIOT USE A MILEAGE CARD OR A CASH BACK CARD???
Re: I'm with you George!!! Well I think we both know that racism can infect everything. I'm not Black, so this isn't based upon my personal experience (sorry), but I would guess that if we could actually survey such things, we would find that minorities are more often: 1) ID'd 2) stopped by traffic cops 3) questioned by hired security in various milieus 4) etc. Now, that said, I myself have been ID'd quite a bit, so it's not all attributable to racism. Doc
PROFILING IS ILLEGAL I saw a program on CREDIT CARD FRAUD and they showed scenarios... THE GUY IN THE BUSINESS SUIT WAS THE THEIF...THE BICKER DUDE WAS THE CARD OWNER!!! THE "GRANNY" WAS THE THIEF...THE POOR 22 YEAR OLD "PUNKER" LOOKIN' DUDE WAS THE CARD OWNER!!!
Let me give you guy's some facts. I'm a business owner. I run my business how ever damn well I please. I couldn't possibly care less about Visa's silly no ID policy, I will check your ID if I damn well want to. Furthermore, if YOU don't like it take your business (and your attitude) elsewhere. END OF STORY !!! (not mad, just making my point ) You ALL may (and should) assume Doc is correct.
I don't know if you can sue but I do know that it is against VISA's policy. I called after a very embarrassing experience at Toys R Us. I quite often just stick ,y debit card in my diaper bag and don't take my whole wallet. Anyway I was actually denied my purchase of 7.95 because I couldn't show ID even though the cashier and manager said the signature matched. I called VISA and they said that I was not obligated to show ID and that if this was happening THEY were losing money as well as Toys R Us. They said that they would be investigated. My friend was in there a couple of weeks later and din't get asked for ID. She asked why they stopped and they said that they were at risk of losing their merchant agreement if they violated it again. Kim
