Best Buy did not see my ID

[sanhima]

I wandered over to Best Buy on my lunch break to pick up two copies of the latest Harry Potter movie (one for myself and one for my niece, not that it matters) and went to the cashier to pay for them. Once I got the total I swiped my credit card, signed the pad and put my card away.

 

I was asked for ID. I said no, my license is for driving, not a permit for me to use my credit card. The cashier said that I could not have my items if I didn't show it. Note that I had already approved the purchase and signed the pad.

 

The cashier proceeded to argue with me that it was company policy. I asked for a manager as there was a line staring behind me now and I still had to get something to eat. The manager said the same thing, company policy. I asked for it and was told that I couldn't see it. They had to do it to make sure I wasn't trying to defraud them. I told him that if I was, do you think I'd be getting more than two copies of the same movie?

 

After much back and forth and showing the little credit card PDF, the manager finally sighed, threw his hands up in the air and told the cashier to give me my items and walked off.

 

My call to Best Buy customer service in my car confirmed that they aren't supposed to do that and I filed a report.

Edited January 13, 2010 by sanhima

[GEORGE]

I wandered over to Best Buy on my lunch break to pick up two copies of the latest Harry Potter movie (one for myself and one for my niece, not that it matters) and went to the cashier to pay for them. Once I got the total I swiped my credit card, signed the pad and put my card away.

 

I was asked for ID. I said no, my license is for driving, not a permit for me to use my credit card. The cashier said that I could not have my items if I didn't show it. Note that I had already approved the purchase and signed the pad.

 

The cashier proceeded to argue with me that it was company policy. I asked for a manager as there was a line staring behind me now and I still had to get something to eat. The manager said the same thing, company policy. I asked for it and was told that I couldn't see it. They had to do it to make sure I wasn't trying to defraud them. I told him that if I was, do you think I'd be getting more than two copies of the same movie?

 

After much back and forth and showing the little credit card PDF, the manager finally sighed, threw his hands up in the air and told the cashier to give me my items and walked off.

 

My call to Best Buy customer service in my car confirmed that they aren't supposed to do that and I filed a report.

SORRY COMPANY POLICY CAN'T OVER-RIDE CREDIT CARD POLICY

 

...AND FOR A FACT...IT IS NOT "COMPANY POLICY" TO ASK FOR ID ON A SIGNED CREDIT CARD

 

You can ask to see that policy (and demand it from the corporate office)...YOU WILL NEVER SEE IT

[thelowpriceleader]

No such policy exists (to require ID on all credit card transactions), in writing, anyway, at any company.

[sanhima]

Yes, I know no such policy exists because it has been told to me before that there is none; this has been told to me by another manager at another location. They can't produce what doesn't exist. Best Buy is not supposed to ask for ID, nor are they supposed to deny me my merchandise because I refuse to.

 

According to Mastercard's Merchant agreement:

 

5.6.3 Additional Cardholder Identification

A Merchant must not refuse to complete a Transaction solely because a

Cardholder who has complied with the conditions for presentment of a Card at

the POI refuses to provide additional identification information, except as

specifically permitted or required by the Standards. A Merchant may require

additional identification from the Cardholder if the information is required to

complete the Transaction, such as for shipping purposes. A Merchant in a

country or region that supports use of the MasterCard Address Verification

Service (AVS) may require the Cardholder’s ZIP or postal code to complete a

Cardholder-Activated Terminal (CAT) Transaction, or the Cardholder’s address

and ZIP or postal code to complete a mail order, phone order, or e-commerce

Transaction.

 

Mastercard Merchant Rules, page 5-7, November 6, 2009

 

I wasn't shipping anything, I wasn't ordering something to be shipped to another location. I was buying an item in the store, for my own personal use and as a gift.

[bluesmap]

thanks for the info.

 

http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/Alert-FS15.htm

[GEORGE]

A LICENSE TO DRIVE A CAR or TRUCK WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE A CREDIT CARD USE PERMIT

[MB82x]

I'm not a fan of the policy, but the two things I like about it as a retailer...

 

1) It doesn't say we can't ASK for ID, just that we can't make it a requirement for purchase.

 

2) Luckily, most thieves don't know the policy. Once you ask them for their ID, they usually "go to get it out of their car" - and never come back.

 

My policy for "sketchy" transactions and people who disappear...

 

- If they left the card behind, wait 15 minutes and see if the name on the card matches anyone in the customer database. Try to verify with the customer if they are missing a credit card, if possible.

 

- If the customer cannot be reached, alert the CCC company of the incident. Everytime I've done this, the CCC has thanked me, locked the card and promised to alert the customer. They advise me to destroy (cut up) the credit card.

 

The "bad eggs" are usually very obvious - and anything other than an immediate sale usually causes them to wander off.

[Grizzly Bear]

I'm not a fan of the policy, but the two things I like about it as a retailer...

 

1) It doesn't say we can't ASK for ID, just that we can't make it a requirement for purchase.

 

2) Luckily, most thieves don't know the policy. Once you ask them for their ID, they usually "go to get it out of their car" - and never come back.

 

My policy for "sketchy" transactions and people who disappear...

 

- If they left the card behind, wait 15 minutes and see if the name on the card matches anyone in the customer database. Try to verify with the customer if they are missing a credit card, if possible.

 

- If the customer cannot be reached, alert the CCC company of the incident. Everytime I've done this, the CCC has thanked me, locked the card and promised to alert the customer. They advise me to destroy (cut up) the credit card.

 

The "bad eggs" are usually very obvious - and anything other than an immediate sale usually causes them to wander off.

 

 

Refusal to show ID and asserting one's rights is not indicative of guilt.

[MB82x]

I'm not a fan of the policy, but the two things I like about it as a retailer...

 

1) It doesn't say we can't ASK for ID, just that we can't make it a requirement for purchase.

 

2) Luckily, most thieves don't know the policy. Once you ask them for their ID, they usually "go to get it out of their car" - and never come back.

 

My policy for "sketchy" transactions and people who disappear...

 

- If they left the card behind, wait 15 minutes and see if the name on the card matches anyone in the customer database. Try to verify with the customer if they are missing a credit card, if possible.

 

- If the customer cannot be reached, alert the CCC company of the incident. Everytime I've done this, the CCC has thanked me, locked the card and promised to alert the customer. They advise me to destroy (cut up) the credit card.

 

The "bad eggs" are usually very obvious - and anything other than an immediate sale usually causes them to wander off.

 

 

Refusal to show ID and asserting one's rights is not indicative of guilt.

 

Please highlight where I mentioned people who refuse to show ID, or people who assert there rights.

 

I'm allowed to ASK for ID, and it very often makes people run away.

[Grizzly Bear]

I'm not a fan of the policy, but the two things I like about it as a retailer...

 

1) It doesn't say we can't ASK for ID, just that we can't make it a requirement for purchase.

 

2) Luckily, most thieves don't know the policy. Once you ask them for their ID, they usually "go to get it out of their car" - and never come back.

 

My policy for "sketchy" transactions and people who disappear...

 

- If they left the card behind, wait 15 minutes and see if the name on the card matches anyone in the customer database. Try to verify with the customer if they are missing a credit card, if possible.

 

- If the customer cannot be reached, alert the CCC company of the incident. Everytime I've done this, the CCC has thanked me, locked the card and promised to alert the customer. They advise me to destroy (cut up) the credit card.

 

The "bad eggs" are usually very obvious - and anything other than an immediate sale usually causes them to wander off.

 

 

Refusal to show ID and asserting one's rights is not indicative of guilt.

 

Please highlight where I mentioned people who refuse to show ID, or people who assert there rights.

 

I'm allowed to ASK for ID, and it very often makes people run away.

 

 

You are not allowed to refuse a purchase if they refuse to show ID.

[MB82x]

I'm not a fan of the policy, but the two things I like about it as a retailer...

 

1) It doesn't say we can't ASK for ID, just that we can't make it a requirement for purchase.

 

2) Luckily, most thieves don't know the policy. Once you ask them for their ID, they usually "go to get it out of their car" - and never come back.

 

My policy for "sketchy" transactions and people who disappear...

 

- If they left the card behind, wait 15 minutes and see if the name on the card matches anyone in the customer database. Try to verify with the customer if they are missing a credit card, if possible.

 

- If the customer cannot be reached, alert the CCC company of the incident. Everytime I've done this, the CCC has thanked me, locked the card and promised to alert the customer. They advise me to destroy (cut up) the credit card.

 

The "bad eggs" are usually very obvious - and anything other than an immediate sale usually causes them to wander off.

 

 

Refusal to show ID and asserting one's rights is not indicative of guilt.

 

Please highlight where I mentioned people who refuse to show ID, or people who assert there rights.

 

I'm allowed to ASK for ID, and it very often makes people run away.

 

 

You are not allowed to refuse a purchase if they refuse to show ID.

 

Strike two. I didn't say that either. I said I asked for ID, and they ran away. I didn't refuse anything. They left without me doing anything other than asking a simple question.

[GEORGE]

I'm not a fan of the policy, but the two things I like about it as a retailer...

 

1) It doesn't say we can't ASK for ID, just that we can't make it a requirement for purchase.

 

2) Luckily, most thieves don't know the policy. Once you ask them for their ID, they usually "go to get it out of their car" - and never come back.

 

My policy for "sketchy" transactions and people who disappear...

 

- If they left the card behind, wait 15 minutes and see if the name on the card matches anyone in the customer database. Try to verify with the customer if they are missing a credit card, if possible.

 

- If the customer cannot be reached, alert the CCC company of the incident. Everytime I've done this, the CCC has thanked me, locked the card and promised to alert the customer. They advise me to destroy (cut up) the credit card.

 

The "bad eggs" are usually very obvious - and anything other than an immediate sale usually causes them to wander off.

 

 

Refusal to show ID and asserting one's rights is not indicative of guilt.

 

Please highlight where I mentioned people who refuse to show ID, or people who assert there rights.

 

I'm allowed to ASK for ID, and it very often makes people run away.

YES...ASKING FOR ID IS LEAGAL

 

ASK TILL THE COWS COME HOME

 

BUT WHEN I SAY NO...THE BUSINESS BACKS OFF...I DON'T

 

Sure glad I don't have to deal with violating stores here (there are not any that I know of)

Edited January 17, 2010 by GEORGE

[Guest Bouquet]

..Visa believes merchants SHOULD NOT ASK for ID as part of their regular card acceptance procedures. So if you are ever asked for ID, immediately call 1-800-VISA-911 to ensure the practice is stopped at once. Make sure your community is 100% violation-free.

 

CREDIT CARD SIGNATURE IS ALL THE ID NEEDED

 

When you pay for merchandise with a Visa card, MasterCard, or American Express any store that accepts these cards should accept yours too, no questions asked. It's part of the deal that merchants agree to when they become participating members.

 

They must check your signature and the card - electronically or by telephone - to be sure it's valid. Once the answer comes up yes, they can go ahead and charge. They can't ask you for any further identification - not a license plate number, Social Security number, proof of address, phone number or photo ID.

 

Your personal ID isn't needed because Visa, MasterCard, and American Express all guarantee payment on cards that have been properly checked. If the issuer mistakenly authorizes a sale on a bad card, it should make good. MasterCard says that merchants receive instant settlement. The contract MasterCard merchants sign specifically prevents them from asking for personal ID.

 

Unfortunately, not all merchants play by the rules. Some, apparently, haven't read them.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

 

MasterCard wants to hear about merchants who break their rules. Send the name and address and an account of what happened to MasterCard WorldWide 2000 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577 or call 1-800-300-3069. The merchant's bank will get a stiff letter, ordering it to investigate and bring the offending store into line - or pay a $2,000 fine. You may also report violations online:

 

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/c...violations.html

 

Visa enforces the same rules as MasterCard. "When we hear about a violation, we ask the bank that signed the merchant to get together with the merchant and see that the practice is stopped," Visa representative states. Violations of Visa’s Operating Regulations result in fines of no less than $5,000. To report a merchant, write to Visa Inc. P.O. Box 8999 San Francisco, CA 94128-8999 or call 1-800-VISA-911.

 

American Express also prohibits merchants from asking for IDs. "All a merchant is supposed to do is take an imprint, make sure the signature matches and swipe the card through the terminal, to get authorization." Report violations to: American Express P.O. Box 297812 Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33329-7812 or call 1-800-528-4800 or report online: http://americanexpress.com/yourchoice

[Guest Bouquet]

I wandered over to Best Buy on my lunch break to pick up two copies of the latest Harry Potter movie (one for myself and one for my niece, not that it matters) and went to the cashier to pay for them. Once I got the total I swiped my credit card, signed the pad and put my card away.

 

I was asked for ID. I said no, my license is for driving, not a permit for me to use my credit card. The cashier said that I could not have my items if I didn't show it. Note that I had already approved the purchase and signed the pad.

 

The cashier proceeded to argue with me that it was company policy. I asked for a manager as there was a line staring behind me now and I still had to get something to eat. The manager said the same thing, company policy. I asked for it and was told that I couldn't see it. They had to do it to make sure I wasn't trying to defraud them. I told him that if I was, do you think I'd be getting more than two copies of the same movie?

 

After much back and forth and showing the little credit card PDF, the manager finally sighed, threw his hands up in the air and told the cashier to give me my items and walked off.

 

My call to Best Buy customer service in my car confirmed that they aren't supposed to do that and I filed a report.

Be sure to report this to Visa/MC as well. At which Best Buy did this happen?

[GEORGE]

Asking for ID is not from the IVORY TOWER of BEST BUY

 

It would be store specific

Edited January 17, 2010 by GEORGE

[sanhima]

They have been reported (hence the "I filed a report" comment). The locations is near my work (I prefer not to say where I live; let's just say it's a major midwest metropolitan area).

 

Over the weekend, I visited two more Best Buy stores, just to see if this would happen. Neither one blinked an eye when I swiped my card, so I'm more inclined to believe that it is this location in particular. Which is sad because it is honestly one of the best in the area as far as customer service is concerned.

[BBQ123]

Best Buy asked for my ID once and I told them the card was signed... that cashier just seemed to ask everyone for ID assuming every card she was getting was not signed, so when I said "my card is signed" they looked and actually did signature comparing.

[GEORGE]

The credit card company will issue credit cards to people who DON'T DRIVE...then why would you need a driver's license to use the card???

[Uncle Leo]

The credit card company will issue credit cards to people who DON'T DRIVE...then why would you need a driver's license to use the card???

By that logic... Why would you need a driver's license to buy alcohol or cigarettes?

[AnonymouslyIndebted]

I think some companies or stores ask for your IDs for your own safety as well. There are a lot of stolen credit card cases out there. And they're probably just doing some security measures.

 

But I guess, they should only ask for IDs unless the purchase is a BIG amount. If not, they shouldn't.

[GEORGE]

I think some companies or stores ask for your IDs for your own safety as well. There are a lot of stolen credit card cases out there. And they're probably just doing some security measures.

 

But I guess, they should only ask for IDs unless the purchase is a BIG amount. If not, they shouldn't.

I DON'T NEED THE STORES PROTECTION BIG or SMALL

Edited January 27, 2010 by GEORGE

[Grizzly Bear]

I think some companies or stores ask for your IDs for your own safety as well. There are a lot of stolen credit card cases out there. And they're probably just doing some security measures.

 

But I guess, they should only ask for IDs unless the purchase is a BIG amount. If not, they shouldn't.

 

 

Again, asking for ID is of no protection to the customer. A stolen card can be used at an almost unlimited number of other businesses that don't require ID (as the rules state they cannot).

[centex]

I think some companies or stores ask for your IDs for your own safety as well. There are a lot of stolen credit card cases out there. And they're probably just doing some security measures.

 

But I guess, they should only ask for IDs unless the purchase is a BIG amount. If not, they shouldn't.

 

 

Again, asking for ID is of no protection to the customer. A stolen card can be used at an almost unlimited number of other businesses that don't require ID (as the rules state they cannot).

 

Specific deterrence principles comes into play. It was a protection for the consumer AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT IN TIME. Whether it prevents future use is a red herring. And generally speaking, my guess (based on client files and reports as well as the personal experience of having been subjected to close to $200K in losses) is that a broader practice of asking for ID would allow for general deterrence theories to come into play as well. As with capital punishment, it might not end the problem, but it can mitigate the prospects of damage.

[Uncle Leo]

Again, asking for ID is of no protection to the customer. A stolen card can be used at an almost unlimited number of other businesses that don't require ID (as the rules state they cannot).

You just made a great case FOR requiring ID.

[MB82x]

Like the "no asking for ID" rule or not - the current method, signature verification, is horrendously flawed.

 

1: Many people do NOT have a consistent signature.

 

2: Cashiers are NOT forgery experts.

 

3: If a cardholder's signature does not match the signature on the card, deny based on that?

 

4: It is impossible to make a "clean" signature on most of the electronic pads in stores that use them.

 

If you get mad over being asked for ID, how would you feel about being denied your purchase because a 17 year old cashier decides your signature "isn't close enough"?

 

I'd like to see credit cards require a PIN, much like a debit transaction. Also, do away with the PIN-less "Debit as Credit" transactions. Possibly even add a security question for high-end/high-risk transactions like big electronics, cash gift cards, cigarette cartons, bulk quantities of expensive resellable items, etc...

 

Consider the risk of credit card fraud on stores with self-checkout lanes, as there is no one to verify ownership of the credit card.

 

The problem is, smaller merchants may not be equipped for any major upgrade to the system.