If a merchant violates the merchant agreement, and you want to report them, why should we even bother reporting to VISA? To hear people here tell it, MasterCard is much more responsive. Why not report to them regardless of which card you actually tried to use?

Presuming you have a MC, and they take them, of course.

Disclaimer: Reporting to one's issuing bank is not an option for the purpose of this question.

Most merchants I report to Visa stop asking for ID within a few weeks (though I have had it happen as fast as about 10 days). With MasterCard, it has taken months for results, but I have seen results. Sometimes I have to report a merchant multiple times, but I usually do see results.

I have also filed some reports on the MC Site against merchants who have minimum purchase signs up (multple times against the same merchants) and those signs remain up to this day.

I am very careful when I call Visa to give them accurate information (and have them restate what I give them to make sure it is accurate) so the report does not get screwed up and become useless.

For instance:

Visa report with "Merchant asks for ID" is not something they can take much action on, because Visa rules allow them to "ask" for ID.

So you must make sure that the report has "Merchant REQUIRES ID" as the reason for complaint. "REQUIRES" is the magic word. Not "asks for" or "requests" or "wants to see" or "asked you for" or anything else.

Interesting. So many people here seem to have experiences where VISA basically couldn't care less. Your experiences in how to word things is something I will keep in mind for the future, though.

That is not allowed. It has to be the person using the card at that time. Otherwise, anyone could report a store they do not like even through the store may not check ID.

Realistically, how are they going to know? Especially if you didn't follow through with the transaction and the card was never processed.

Local video store requires ID AND has a $10.00 minimum purchase to use plastic. I've reported both items repeatedly. They're still doing it.

For rentals or purchases? Crooked merchant may be attempting to claim the ID is "just for rentals". Be sure to point this out in your next report (if necessary).

Exactly. Visa does an excellent job getting crooked merchants back into compliance. This thread’s title description is simply ridiculous. To report call 1-800-VISA-911, press zero twice, and ask to file an "incident report" regarding a merchant violation/merchant who required ID.

Never show ID for signed credit card purchases.

No ID required for signed credit card purchases. Merchants cannot require ID.

If a merchant tries to require ID, immediately call 1-800-VISA-911 to ensure they never do again.

VISA: 1-800-VISA-911
MasterCard: 1-800-300-3069


Also easily report merchant violations online at:

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

Check the box that says "Merchant required ID"



Never show ID for signed credit card purchases.

No ID required for signed credit card purchases.

Make sure your community is 100% violation-free.

If that is the Case, the merchant could come back and say we do not require id, when they actually do. Mastercard, Visa will not send an inspector to check it out. That might explain why some get away with those signs.

If anything the regional/local salesguy at the merchant's processor will visit the location. Keep in mind MA and V send these violation reports to the merchant's processor and they handle it from there.

Very good point. I like the specificity and I am sure the lawyers do too.

If anybody else said that, I'd take it seriously.




Then maybe that is further evidence that these are sham policies to begin with. I would imagine that a "first-time offender" might stop the practice if they merely got a friendly 'reminder letter' of what the policy is without actually being accused of it and having to defend themselves.

I doubt the salesguy would report on a merchant that request ID. He would lose his commission.

Visa has incentive to take action... they can find a merchant $100s or $1000s for violations. They can also raise their interchange rates.

They also have to keep a balancing act. They're not the only money exchange system available and thus have to make sure they don't piss merchants off or price themselves out of the market.

He is not going to report them, he would check in with the merchant as if it were an annual visit the salesguy likes to make on his accounts and re-establish the relationship, and of course in passing remind him of the rules. More than likely the letter to the merchant suffices and the salesguy is just out to emake more sales - contactless, new terminal etc....

Has anyone seen one a merchant received or any website that shows what they look like - content, header.

P.S. I just sent them an email -- re my paraguay passport number on receipt per my other posts. They were of no help and I got a standard text reply and passed me on to my issuer. Furthermore they made comments about laws some states have passed regarding ID recording -- what?! this was International. No mention of anything about the LATAM team looking into it. Cleary Visa does not care unless you specify merchant name, address, tel#, date of visit, purchase amount, and concise details of what happened. Ughghg.

Still would love to see a PDF of a letter a merchant gets from their processor about violations.

Crooked merchants shape-up quickly to avoid suspension.

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 picture 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.

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. 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.

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. To report a merchant, send a letter to the bank that that issued your Visa card 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."