Was just in Bermuda and a local hardware shop having its grand opening insisted on my ID. I said my card is signed; The manager ended up coming over and was rather gruff. I told him MA and V don't permit merchants to require ID as a condition for sale -- "we'll no one told me that." I told him to get in touch with his processor/acquirer to ask as there is likely a manual that was provided during install of the POS terminal. Anyways they then wanted to write down my license plate# -- nope did not allow that. In the end they said ok just stop complaining and let it go.

I have been repoting them like crazy (MA form, V email, AXP form, HSBC email, Citi email - who said thanks for using online form and that was it!);and Chase email has so far insisted the merchant had the right to ask for ID. I think that is OK but I can refuse? which I did, but these reps from Chase in Philippines don't get it.;Its like that;time I called them and they insisted merchants can require a minimum purchase amount to accept that card and they asked me if I worked for MasterCard --hummmmphhh.

Just an anecdote for the pile.

some reps are just plain stupid

Different country... different rules and/or laws may apply.

that is what I was thinking too

ASK TILL THE COWS COME HOME

I SAY NO...THE STORE BACKS-OFF...I DON'T

Not sure they are in the USA...
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I THOUGHT Bermuda WAS AN "AREA" IN THE SEA...AS IN A TRIANGLE
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UNDER USA CONTROL or PROTECTION
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Puerto Rico
U.S. Virgin Islands
American Samoa
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
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Minor Outlying Islands
Baker Island
Howland Island
Jarvis Island
Johnston Atoll
Midway Islands
Wake Island
Palmyra Atoll
Kingman Reef
Navassa Island
Serranilla Bank
Bajo Nuevo Bank

More HOMEWORK
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Bermuda

Government British Overseas Territory
- Monarch Queen Elizabeth II
- Governor Sir Richard Gozney
- Premier Ewart Brown

I never assume US contracts apply elsewhere.

In Australia it is common and acceptable to have credit card surcharges...Merchants in Australia also check signatures and I was not asked for ID once.

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. 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."

the Visa/MC no ID policy applies globally.

WHY WASTE TIME AND MONEY MAKING A DIFFERENT POLICY FOR EACH DIFFERENT COUNTRY