I always "sign" my cards with "Photo ID Required". Clerks look at the back of the card around 75% of the time. When they do, I produce my driver's license. I've never been told that I've not "signed" my card correctly. I think that if I am challenged on that basis, I'll just tell the clerk to arrange for the restocking of my selection and walk out, never to return.
oreotookie - 14 years ago
Yes, Absolutely, without a doubt do I want people to ask for ID. In fact, I thank them EVERY time they do so (I have signed the card and wrote "CID" next to my signature). I completely agree with Dylan. What is the likelihood that the person will have a photographic memory to be able to get all your information on it in a matter of 2 seconds? If someone stared at my ID for 30 seconds or so, then I would be worried.
I think it is simply dumb to complain about people asking for ID or asking to check your items with your receipt. If you are in that big of a hurry, then you need better time management.
monogodo - 14 years ago
I have no problem being asked for ID, and actually prefer it.
As for some of the comments above, if someone gives you their card, and tells you to use it to make a purchase, you're now the authorized user. When signing the receipt, you should sign your name, not the card holders, because if you sign the card holders name, it's considered forgery.
Having one's photo on the card doesn't make a difference, either. My supervisor at my last job used to give his card to the staff to buy donuts. He was a short hispanic male. I'm taller and white, and didn't look a thing like his photo. I was never questioned when using it. Neither were the white females who he gave it to.
On a side note, I once asked Don Henley for his ID when he used a credit card to make a purchase at the store where I was working. He just sighed and handed me his ID.
2 replies by - 14 years ago
@SirWired: "'Ask for ID' on the signature line is not a signature."
Sorry sir, but your wrong on that one.
In the absence of a statutory prohibition, any mark you make CAN be legally acceptable as your signature.
Many people argue that your signature must be your written name, but this is not the case. Some people can't write, some people are unable to move.
These people still need to be able to sign. (ie, Steven Hawking still has to sign.)
Why not have your photo on the credit card? Like Costco membership cards... Solves both problems. You only have to hand them one card and they can see from the photo that it is you....
And yes, you might have to get it updated every few years, but still a small price to pay for the added convenience.
Dylan - 14 years ago
i have "PHOTO ID ONLY" on the back of my CCs. i get asked for photo ID MAYBE 10% of the time.
i'm not concerned about the clerk having my information (if they have a photographic memory, what the hell are they doing as a teller at Wal-Mart?), and have only had 1 person say that "this is not a signature, i can't accept it" - to which i explained: "what's more likely, someone forging my signature, or someone forging my drivers' license? (in Ontario, we have multiple anti-fraud technologies on our DLs, while not infallible, make casual forgery virtually impossible). they let me complete the transaction after realising the logic.
the simple solution, of course, is to embed a photo of the cardholder right on the card.
Bror Jonsson - 14 years ago
@Bill: I assume that you either is old or never buy alcohol then? Or go to bars in college towns?
badkat - 14 years ago
I am not ok with it. They have my card information. If I also show them my ID, they have my DL number, my address, my date of birth, i.e. more information that compromises my identity than if they had the card alone. I don't see how that 'protects' me. With the additional information that they could get from my ID, they could compromise way more than my credit card account.
Jen - 14 years ago
I wish cashiers would ask more often, especially for big purchases. A cashier who takes a few seconds to check my ID is not going to memorize my information, rob my house, or sign me up for special offers.
It's added security, especially since most cashiers don't even check if your signature matches up.
NoTrust - 14 years ago
I am okay with showing it if they ask everyone and all the time. If not, it amounts to profiling which I am not okay with.
I've started saying "No" when asked for it now. The cashiers are usually puzzled, and I inform them that they can ask and I can refuse. Haven't had any problems yet.
Bill - 14 years ago
Yeah, I want to tell the $5/hour clerk where I live and give them all the information they need to either rob me or steal my identity. Most decent credit cards even waive the liability which is only $50.00 anyway. Oh, and while they are at it lets have them scan the ID and add me to their mailing list so I can get more junk mail too.
FanBoy - 14 years ago
I sign my card, and for CID next to my name.
I think it should be mandatory to see an ID when using credit cards just to prove the rightful owner is using it. Card is not supposed to be valid with out signature, agree; But how many hand writing experts are working as a Walmart cashier can really tell if my signed receipt (now electronic, and experts can't tell pressure used) is the same on my credit card. And if cashiers are trained, they don't take the time to even look/compare both signatures. My wife used my card the other day at the mall and they didn't even question it. I don't even think they looked at the name on the card or checked to see if it was signed. Woman, with guys name should have been the first clue. On top of that, I have an American name, and she is obviously foreign. If you can't tell by looking at her, listen to her accent.
I gave my wife my card, and stood away to see what would happen.
Even with CID on my card, most of the time they still don't ask. I really do think it should be required.
Jeremy - 14 years ago
I have been using an unsigned credit card for over 4 years. I use it to purchase everything and have only been asked about it twice in that time (both at the same college bookstore.)
No ID checks in all that time either.
Credit card security is non-existent... the store tellers just don't actually care.
For the record I did sign it and it's predecessor, but the signature keeps rubbing off in my wallet (permanent marker and ballpoint... I don't know what the security strip is supposed to do but removing a signature via micro-abrasion doesn't show any void words underneath or change the swirly pattern on the strip.
Kyle - 14 years ago
I am a female with a man's name, so I'm totally ok with a clerk asking for ID, they SHOULD question whether I'm really the person named on the card...what I don't like is when I'm accused of using my husband's card rather than just politely asked for ID.
zac.carlson - 14 years ago
I'm happy when they ask for it, but I'm glad that they don't have the ability to require I have it.
SirWired - 14 years ago
Ned, "Ask for ID" on the signature line is not a signature. Some merchants (my local post office is one) will refuse to take the card at all if it is not properly signed.
Ned Reiter - 14 years ago
I write "Ask for ID" on the signature line of my credit cards and thank the clerks when they actually do so. A signature on a credit card is no security at all, but a separate photo ID is certainly much better.
I always "sign" my cards with "Photo ID Required". Clerks look at the back of the card around 75% of the time. When they do, I produce my driver's license. I've never been told that I've not "signed" my card correctly. I think that if I am challenged on that basis, I'll just tell the clerk to arrange for the restocking of my selection and walk out, never to return.
Yes, Absolutely, without a doubt do I want people to ask for ID. In fact, I thank them EVERY time they do so (I have signed the card and wrote "CID" next to my signature). I completely agree with Dylan. What is the likelihood that the person will have a photographic memory to be able to get all your information on it in a matter of 2 seconds? If someone stared at my ID for 30 seconds or so, then I would be worried.
I think it is simply dumb to complain about people asking for ID or asking to check your items with your receipt. If you are in that big of a hurry, then you need better time management.
I have no problem being asked for ID, and actually prefer it.
As for some of the comments above, if someone gives you their card, and tells you to use it to make a purchase, you're now the authorized user. When signing the receipt, you should sign your name, not the card holders, because if you sign the card holders name, it's considered forgery.
Having one's photo on the card doesn't make a difference, either. My supervisor at my last job used to give his card to the staff to buy donuts. He was a short hispanic male. I'm taller and white, and didn't look a thing like his photo. I was never questioned when using it. Neither were the white females who he gave it to.
On a side note, I once asked Don Henley for his ID when he used a credit card to make a purchase at the store where I was working. He just sighed and handed me his ID.
@SirWired: "'Ask for ID' on the signature line is not a signature."
Sorry sir, but your wrong on that one.
In the absence of a statutory prohibition, any mark you make CAN be legally acceptable as your signature.
Many people argue that your signature must be your written name, but this is not the case. Some people can't write, some people are unable to move.
These people still need to be able to sign. (ie, Steven Hawking still has to sign.)
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_constitutes_a_legal_signature
Why not have your photo on the credit card? Like Costco membership cards... Solves both problems. You only have to hand them one card and they can see from the photo that it is you....
And yes, you might have to get it updated every few years, but still a small price to pay for the added convenience.
i have "PHOTO ID ONLY" on the back of my CCs. i get asked for photo ID MAYBE 10% of the time.
i'm not concerned about the clerk having my information (if they have a photographic memory, what the hell are they doing as a teller at Wal-Mart?), and have only had 1 person say that "this is not a signature, i can't accept it" - to which i explained: "what's more likely, someone forging my signature, or someone forging my drivers' license? (in Ontario, we have multiple anti-fraud technologies on our DLs, while not infallible, make casual forgery virtually impossible). they let me complete the transaction after realising the logic.
the simple solution, of course, is to embed a photo of the cardholder right on the card.
@Bill: I assume that you either is old or never buy alcohol then? Or go to bars in college towns?
I am not ok with it. They have my card information. If I also show them my ID, they have my DL number, my address, my date of birth, i.e. more information that compromises my identity than if they had the card alone. I don't see how that 'protects' me. With the additional information that they could get from my ID, they could compromise way more than my credit card account.
I wish cashiers would ask more often, especially for big purchases. A cashier who takes a few seconds to check my ID is not going to memorize my information, rob my house, or sign me up for special offers.
It's added security, especially since most cashiers don't even check if your signature matches up.
I am okay with showing it if they ask everyone and all the time. If not, it amounts to profiling which I am not okay with.
I've started saying "No" when asked for it now. The cashiers are usually puzzled, and I inform them that they can ask and I can refuse. Haven't had any problems yet.
Yeah, I want to tell the $5/hour clerk where I live and give them all the information they need to either rob me or steal my identity. Most decent credit cards even waive the liability which is only $50.00 anyway. Oh, and while they are at it lets have them scan the ID and add me to their mailing list so I can get more junk mail too.
I sign my card, and for CID next to my name.
I think it should be mandatory to see an ID when using credit cards just to prove the rightful owner is using it. Card is not supposed to be valid with out signature, agree; But how many hand writing experts are working as a Walmart cashier can really tell if my signed receipt (now electronic, and experts can't tell pressure used) is the same on my credit card. And if cashiers are trained, they don't take the time to even look/compare both signatures. My wife used my card the other day at the mall and they didn't even question it. I don't even think they looked at the name on the card or checked to see if it was signed. Woman, with guys name should have been the first clue. On top of that, I have an American name, and she is obviously foreign. If you can't tell by looking at her, listen to her accent.
I gave my wife my card, and stood away to see what would happen.
Even with CID on my card, most of the time they still don't ask. I really do think it should be required.
I have been using an unsigned credit card for over 4 years. I use it to purchase everything and have only been asked about it twice in that time (both at the same college bookstore.)
No ID checks in all that time either.
Credit card security is non-existent... the store tellers just don't actually care.
For the record I did sign it and it's predecessor, but the signature keeps rubbing off in my wallet (permanent marker and ballpoint... I don't know what the security strip is supposed to do but removing a signature via micro-abrasion doesn't show any void words underneath or change the swirly pattern on the strip.
I am a female with a man's name, so I'm totally ok with a clerk asking for ID, they SHOULD question whether I'm really the person named on the card...what I don't like is when I'm accused of using my husband's card rather than just politely asked for ID.
I'm happy when they ask for it, but I'm glad that they don't have the ability to require I have it.
Ned, "Ask for ID" on the signature line is not a signature. Some merchants (my local post office is one) will refuse to take the card at all if it is not properly signed.
I write "Ask for ID" on the signature line of my credit cards and thank the clerks when they actually do so. A signature on a credit card is no security at all, but a separate photo ID is certainly much better.