The Credit Card ID Debate

[otakuneko]

I sign mine See ID for two reasons: one to see if the cashier will actually look (most don't, or ignore it, in my experience) and two because my signatures are like snowflakes: no two alike. As I've said before: if a cashier ever tried to compare signatures on me, they'd think I stole the card. Maybe that's the third reason I use ID: to avoid that mess in the first place.

The one store that consistently asks for ID is Fry's, where it's policy. The cashiers ask more out of habit than anything else.

Other than that...

Once at Barnes & Noble, the cashier looked at my card and asked for ID. I was surprised and made a comment like, "whoah, someone actually read my card!" She said, "yes, at the bookstore we like to read."

By Visa standards, all except the first card I ever had, I've stolen and was also invalid. Screw them.

[IDrinkaRum]

I don't know if I posted this or not, but when I was Torrid (a plus-sized woman's store), I heard that a manager had busted someone using someone else's credit card. (The credit card belonged to a mall employee whose purse had been stolen at work). Torrid is also one of two stores that I know of that checks ID at this large outlet mall.

At the gaming store I worked at, we asked for ID. No one ever complained. Actually, they always complimented us on asking for it.

[fireheart17]

Once at Barnes & Noble, the cashier looked at my card and asked for ID. I was surprised and made a comment like, "whoah, someone actually read my card!" She said, "yes, at the bookstore we like to read."

That's funny lol.

And as for me, if and when I get a credit card, first thing I'm doing is signing it.

[Salesmonkey]

My credit card has my picture on it, which I love. There's my ID, right on the card. And it's right by the logo, so that it's one of the first things the merchant sees. If somebody tries to use my card that doesn't match my smiling face, that's pretty obvious.

[Dreamstalker]

At the gaming store I worked at, we asked for ID. No one ever complained. Actually, they always complimented us on asking for it.

When I started at GameStore, I got a customer paying by check. I dutifully ask for ID and the customer (a regular as I later find out) actually congratulated me on asking...apparently he had been a victim of fraud not too long ago which was successful due to people not checking "his" signature (as had happened to me as well).

The owner lectured me about it though ("you're not supposed to ask for ID")

[Slytovhand]

Then the owner's a moron! I don't know about your laws, but if someone commits fraud over here, and there was reasonable grounds for it being caught (ie, simply checking a signature), then it's the business that loses out - it doesn't get the money.

[Dreamstalker]

Yup. Not to mention, the employee who handled the sale could possibly end up being on the hook for it personally if the manager was feeling evil enough.

My first retail job, I was taught to always check ID/sigs (exceptions could be made if the person was known to you, but even that wasn't encouraged too much). Hell, my own mom once "lectured" me when she came into the store and I didn't check her ID with a CC payment.

Moron pretty much covers it for that guy...

[fireheart17]

My credit card check goes as follows, varying which credit card it is (i.e. is it Visa, Mastercard). I found this info off the AFP website (www.afp.gov.au) but the PDF file is massive and some parts are irrelevant depending on your country. (Since most of our Fratch-ers are from the US and UK, I'm covering the international ones I KNOW) Note that card number and account number are used interchangably here but still mean the same thing.

For Visa cards: (including debit if they select the CR option)

-card number is embossed and the first four digits printed above match the first four embossed numbers.
-first four numbers and last three match the receipt. (quicker to check, we're meant to check 6 and 3, but I find it easier to check four and three)
-the numbers on the back match the ones on the front.
-the signature is clear.
-the hologram is valid.

For AmEx:

-Card number needs to match the receipt.
-there's a CID (Card ID number) present. This does not match the card number.
-Wavelike feature across the back.
-Signature is clear (and matches)
-Hologram is valid (if present)
-On the AmEx cards provided by a bank (i.e. they have just the AmEx logo), the card number is also printed on the back. This needs to match.

For MasterCard:

-Card numbers match the receipt.
-As with Visa, any preprinted numbers above the embossed card number need to match the card number. These numbers can't be removed when scratched.
-Number on the back needs to match the number on the front.
-Again signature needs to be present.

For Diners:

-Usually a world map on the background (not always)
-Account number needs to be cleanly embossed and match the receipt.
-Diners Club hologram needs to be present.
-Diners Club logo needs to be on the signature panel.
-Again signature needs to be present.

In other words, while I do check signatures, the other features can tell me if a card is fake as well.