The LAW about asking for ID

i believe the law is that even if the picture and signature are imprinted on the front of the card you must also sign the back. beyond that they cannot ask for any more ID. unless their is a message on the register when they scan the card to call the credit card company. if they call the credit card company and the company asks them to check ID then they must ask to see youre drivers license or they will be in violation of their agreements with the credit card issuer.however i do not know if the credit card issuer asking them to check ID is actually legal or not.

 

I had always thought that Visa and/or Mastercard International didn't allow the merchants to check for id IF the card was signed and the signature matched. A few months ago there was a similiar debate here on the board and I think that people said that id COULD be requested.
As far as the card w/ the picture, the cashier should've been able to see the BIG picture and accept the card. My Citibank has a picture and my signature embossed on the front of card but some cashier was insistent that I sign the back. I wimped out and did.

 

http://www.gofso.com/Premium/LE/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html#A

I believe the number to call for Visa when someone is making you show ID is 1-800-VISA-911... I had issues with Staples over this.

Ozzy.

 

You are correct. The only time they can ask you for ID is if the card is not signed and you sign it in front of them. They will then ask for ID and compare the signatures.

 

I just re-read this.

I live in Florida, and at the Boston Markets here, they don't even make you sign the ticket if the charge is <$20.

 

The Targets and Wal-Marts out here (California) make you show ID to use a credit card, even if you're using the card swiper thingie. I asked once why, and they said they'd had a lot of people use stolen cards using that system.

Dunno. I don't sign my cards anyway, I write in permanent ink "PLEASE ASK FOR ID". Half the time people don't, if they're doing the swiping as opposed to me. I always thank people for checking when they do so.

 

VISA/MC PROHIBITS ASKING FOR ID ON A SIGNED CARD...it is also ILLEGAL in many states!!!

It is also a VIOLATION OF THE LAW (in some states) and VIOLATES VISA/MC POLICY to have a $20.00 min charge...or charge an additional fee to use a credit card...

 

I HOPE YOU CANCELED THE SALE!!!!!!!!!!

 

You probably ran into another nitwit teenager who couldn't even look up the word "bigpicture", let alone see it.

Another product of our public screwall system.

 

I DON'T SHOW ID ON MY SIGNED CARDS...I WOULD CANCEL THE SALE AND WALK OUT IF THEY DON'T BACK DOWN...I ALSO HAVE MY LETTERS FROM VISA/MC ABOUT ID, EXTRA FEES, AND MIN. CHARGES (IN MY WALLET~~~I WHIP IT OUT IF I REALLY NEED THE STUFF AND CAN'T GET THEM TO BACK OFF)!!!

 

Is there somewhere on the net to view this law? I have no idea where to even begin to search. Thanks.

 

SEE ID
CID<----(I get some when I cashier---->"Your MARY SMITH, WHO IS CID"???)
SEE LICENSE
UNSIGNED CARDS

ARE EXEMPT FROM THE LAWS

 

I have a Visa/MC merchant account and I CANNOT ask for ID. If I suspect a problem I am to call a special # and verify the card is still valid.

I can lose my merchant account if I ask for ID and the person complains ( not likely but theoretically possible )

 

http://www.gofso.com/Premium/LE/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html#A

COPY THIS...

Or there is the addresses of VISA/MC farther down...

THIS IS A GOOD LINK~I'm gonna' BOOKMARK IT!!!

 

HOW TO COMPLAIN

When merchants violate the policies described here, report them to Visa, MasterCard, and
American Express. Address your letter to:

Visa USA
Consumer Relations
P.O. Box 8999
San Francisco, CA 94128

MasterCard International
Public Relations
2000 Purchase Street
Purchase, NY 10577

American Express
Customer Service
PO Box 297812
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33329-7812
1-800-297-1234 (U.S.) 336-393-1111
(collect) 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., EST

In your letter, give the name and location of the merchant and a copy of a credit card sales slip.
The sales slip is needed by Visa and MasterCard to track down the offending merchant.
American Express provides card-members with a toll-free number to call if they have difficulty
with a merchant. Make sure you have the complete details about the merchant and the problem
before you call.

***If a merchant is uncooperative, take your business elsewhere.***

 

Here's what I don't understand: Why would anyone object to showing an ID? Whenever I present a credit card at Wal-Mart or wherever, I present my card and my photo driver's license. I just do it reflexively. I figure that this makes it easier for the cashier.

Important note: There is no law anywhere that says a merchant can't ask for an ID. This is a myth. Certainly no thinking legislature would pass a law like that because there would be no reason for them to do that.

Important note number two: I just 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 "no." Here's a full quote (and you are welcome to call yourself to confirm):
"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."

Finally, people sometimes act as if it's a terrible inconvenience or an awful slap in the face when a merchant asks for an ID. I consider it a favor to me -- if everyone did that, I wouldn't have to worry as much if I lose my wallet.

Doc