Best Buy did not see my ID

[Uncle Leo]

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

Signature-based verification is the absolute worst method, and the absolute easiest to thwart. No doubt. Unfortunately, it's a relic of a few decades ago when fraud wasn't as rampant, and it's still the method chosen by the CC companies... who probably don't care as long as they're not the ones holding the bag.

[MB82x]

Even with zero liability, consumers can be hurt by credit fraud.

 

Consider someone might get their checking account wiped out (debit used as credit), and immediately need that money for rent or a medical emergency.

 

I've also heard people say "zero liability is anything but zero liability"...

Edited January 27, 2010 by MB82x

[hegemony]

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.

 

simple solution...hire enough checkers so I don't have to use those damn things. cheapskate retailers need to get on the clue bus.

[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).

 

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.

 

ID is of no protection to the consumer. A maxed out card is a maxed out card no matter how many stores it was used at.

 

Broader practice of asking for ID? Hello!!! Most merchants honor the contract they agreed to, so the notion that ID requests would be so widespread that a card couldn't be maxed out in short order is ridiculous.

[MB82x]

simple solution...hire enough checkers so I don't have to use those damn things. cheapskate retailers need to get on the clue bus.

 

 

While I mostly agree with you; I don't see it happening soon.

 

The store I work at saw it's weekly hours budget slashed from 950 in 2008 to 900 in 2009, to 800 in 2010... We've still been going over budget (using 840-860 per week) and we're getting NASTY emails from corporate about it.

 

I'm not sure if it's corporate being cheap, or shareholders demanding a cut to operating costs.

 

I work with a store that has self-checkout machines (corporate decision, not ours) - and we hate the damn things:

 

- Paper money always gets stuck inside the machine, meaning management needs to constantly run to the front to give a customer change, and fix the problem.

 

- Many manufactuer coupons crash the system.

 

- Oddball credit cards crash the system.

 

- Normal credit cards crash the system, and sometimes double charge the customer.

 

- The system is EXTREMELY picky and methodical about how it is used. If you do one thing wrong, it'll probably crash the system.

 

On a nine hour shift, on average, I probably spend 90 minutes to 2 hours fixing problems with the machines. This is sometimes worse, if I need to call tech support - where I can be on hold for up to 15 minutes.

[hegemony]

- Oddball credit cards crash the system.

hey I like oddball credit cards LOL

 

I mostly shop at trader joes. our nearby "chain" kroger is unclean and understaffed.

Edited January 28, 2010 by hegemony

[MB82x]

I do Whole Foods personally... but only for produce, milk and juice... sometimes meat, and the rare "exclusive" type items. I buy other stuff at the supermarket.

 

Is Trader Joes any better about their prices than Whole Foods? (Whole Foods ranges in prices from reasonable to outrageous. I saw a loaf of bread for $5.99 at Whole Foods...)

[hegemony]

I do Whole Foods personally... but only for produce, milk and juice... sometimes meat, and the rare "exclusive" type items. I buy other stuff at the supermarket.

 

Is Trader Joes any better about their prices than Whole Foods? (Whole Foods ranges in prices from reasonable to outrageous. I saw a loaf of bread for $5.99 at Whole Foods...)

trader joes does not have the selection of WF, but the prices are incredible. I also shop at "fresh and easy" which is own by tesco and is trying to be like trader joes.

[green2408]

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 really don't mind if merchants ASK for ID, ( if it makes some salamander meth addict run away, that's OK) but if they make an issue when I say no, then I get annoyed. I must say though that lately when I say "my card's signed" almost everywhere gets it and just runs the card and a lot are even comparing signatures.

[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 really don't mind if merchants ASK for ID, ( if it makes some salamander meth addict run away, that's OK) but if they make an issue when I say no, then I get annoyed. I must say though that lately when I say "my card's signed" almost everywhere gets it and just runs the card and a lot are even comparing signatures.

MY ID IS ON THE BACK OF THE CARD

 

SEE THAT SIGNATURE RIGHT THERE...THAT IS THE ONLY ID THAT IS REQUIRED BY CREDIT CARD POLICY

[Need More RWHP]

- 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.

 

And one of the many reasons to refuse providing ID is that some of us don't want retailers building database on us. You have NO BUSINESS knowing where I have. I did not ask to have the goods delivered to my house. I chose B&M store to walk out with the item.

 

You work as a cashier. Should I know know your DOB, address and SSN, simply for the fact you were my cashier.