Update on Six Flags requiring a photo ID for credit cards

[MannyLNJ]

I was at Six Flags America the past weekend and I was all set to raise a fuss about their requirement of ID and ask for it in writing (so I could send it to Visa, MC and Amex) but my girlfriend was with me and I didn't want to raise a fuss. So when they asked me for a photo ID I gave them my Six Flags Season Pass which has my name and a poor B&W grainy picture of me and it was accepted.

[Credit Savvy]

I was all set to raise a fuss about their requirement of ID and ask for it in writing (so I could send it to Visa, MC and Amex)

You do not need it in writing.. Just REPORT - 1-800-VISA-911.

 

You should have reported this to Visa/MC/Amex back in June when you first learned they were violating. Do you realize how many thousands of people have been needlessly violated since?

 

REPORT them and it stops for ALL transactions, or make a fuss each time and you may get your way that ONE day for that ONE transaction, but will have accomplished next to NOTHING. The choice is obvious: REPORT!

 

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

[GEORGE]

I was at Six Flags America the past weekend and I was all set to raise a fuss about their requirement of ID and ask for it in writing (so I could send it to Visa, MC and Amex) but my girlfriend was with me and I didn't want to raise a fuss. So when they asked me for a photo ID I gave them my Six Flags Season Pass which has my name and a poor B&W grainy picture of me and it was accepted.

REPORT THEM

[MannyLNJ]

I had reported them with obviously ni change in their policy thus I wanted to mail in written proof

[Credit Savvy]

obviously ni change

Then report again and be sure to mention this in the incident report. Call 1-800-VISA-911, press zero twice, and ask to file an "incident report" regarding a merchant violation.

[Credit Savvy]

I wanted to mail in written proof

1. Print the page from the PDF of both Visa and MasterCard and present this to them when they require ID. Be sure to hand write the URLs to these PDFs on the back of each so you can provide your source for the information to the store management.

 

2. Print the MasterCard Merchant Violation Page and present this to store management.

 

3. Black out your name and address on the confirmation letter you received from Visa and present that letter the store.

 

4. Ask the store to show you, in writing, their policy that states ID is required. You have provided them with documentation from the credit card companies that ID is not allowed. Ask them to provide you with documentation their company has produced that says otherwise. Nobody is going to be able to come up with any such documentation because NO retailer has ANY corporate produced materials that state to require ID on a signed credit card transaction.

[Uncle Leo]

Meanwhile, Six Flags stock fell 50% yesterday amid rumors of a forthcoming nasty letter from VISA.

[Credit Savvy]

I've gotten a couple merchants shut-off from accepting credit cards over repeat violations of this issue (they usually change their practice within a few hours of being shut-off; it really gets their attention).