Should You Sign the Back of Your Credit Card?

[BW1216]

I can't believe it hasn't gotten to this point in the conversation, but this is exactly why Chip & Pin should be instituted (by force), among other reasons.

Edited April 14, 2014 by BW1216

[moadikum]

I'm not saying that putting "See ID" is valid - I'm saying that using a corresponding government-issued ID to verify ownership of a card, is infinitely superior to relying on 'matching signatures'.

 

Chip & Pin will negate the need for this silly argument. I know Chase is making them available later this year (I already have chip and signature).

[Fuerza]

I can't believe it hasn't gotten to this point in the conversation, but this is exactly why Chip & Pin should be instituted (by force), among other reasons.

Amen

 

 

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[GR8WhiTE]

"See ID" makes far more sense that relying on a signature to prove ownership. If someone has stolen your credit card, it's very easy to remove the signature - or in many cases - sign it yourself (if the owner hasn't signed it). It's far-less-likely that the thief has also forged a government-issued ID with your name on it.

 

I'm surprised people are so anti "See ID". I know it's not technically a legitimate signing-mechanism (since the card companies require your signature), but practically, it's fare more secure.

I take it you write "see ID"

 

I would much rather have a signature on a card and have a customer MATCH that same exact signature in front of me than "see ID". Cause if you run into a savvy criminal...he or she seeing your ID, I guarantee YOU will regret.

Edited April 15, 2014 by GR8WhiTE

[moadikum]

 

"See ID" makes far more sense that relying on a signature to prove ownership. If someone has stolen your credit card, it's very easy to remove the signature - or in many cases - sign it yourself (if the owner hasn't signed it). It's far-less-likely that the thief has also forged a government-issued ID with your name on it.

 

I'm surprised people are so anti "See ID". I know it's not technically a legitimate signing-mechanism (since the card companies require your signature), but practically, it's fare more secure.

I take it you write "see ID"

 

I would much rather have a signature on a card and have a customer MATCH that same exact signature in front of me than "see ID". Cause if you run into a savvy criminal...he or she seeing your ID, I guarantee YOU will regret.

 

I do not write "See ID" - I write my signature. I'm not a "See ID" zealot.

 

Using an unrelated identifier is always more secure - there's really no way to argue that otherwise. Relying on signature replication is flawed at best - most people don't accurately repeat their signature, and a minimum-wage store clerk isn't a trained handwriting analyst.

 

In the technology sector, we promote the use of multi-factor authentication - that is, having another 'document', or code/pin that 'proves' ownership. Obviously chip/pin follows that idea, but the next best thing is using a government ID.

 

The idea that a committed fraudster wouldn't spend 10 minutes learning how to write your signature, just isn't realistic.

[CG in TX]

Interesting...I haven't signed a card in at least 15 years, and have never had one refused or been asked for ID. In fact, I don't remember anyone even looking at the back of the card to see if it was signed...

[hegemony]

strictly speaking, not properly signing your card violates your agreement with the issuer and can in theory result in a loss of perks, like charge back rights

[GR8WhiTE]

It's a lose/ lose situation.

[CG in TX]

strictly speaking, not properly signing your card violates your agreement with the issuer and can in theory result in a loss of perks, like charge back rights

I didn't know that, but how would the issuer know that the card wasn't signed? I suppose they could ask for a copy of the front and back of the card, but it could be signed at that time if they did.

[moadikum]

 

strictly speaking, not properly signing your card violates your agreement with the issuer and can in theory result in a loss of perks, like charge back rights

I didn't know that, but how would the issuer know that the card wasn't signed? I suppose they could ask for a copy of the front and back of the card, but it could be signed at that time if they did.

 

They wouldn't - which is why the signature 'security feature' is a joke at best.

[breeze]

AmEx sends some kind of code telling the cashier to check card signature against driver's license, or even in some situations to have the cardholder call a special number. It's happened to me. I think if my card hadn't been signed, I would have done a lot of splainin'. But AmEx is peculiar.

[stroked89coupe]

<p>When I worked retail, I always pissed customers off by following the rules.

• I always compared sales receipt signatures to the signature on the back of the card.
• I would not accept a card with "SEE ID" written on the signature panel, unless they produced an ID and then signed the card.

AmEx sends some kind of code telling the cashier to check card signature against driver's license, or even in some situations to have the cardholder call a special number. It's happened to me. I think if my card hadn't been signed, I would have done a lot of splainin'. But AmEx is peculiar.

as someone who accepts credit cards I can say this CAN happen with all issuers. Although may happen more with Amex like you said and we all know why. :)I have specific guidelines from my merchant on what to do and what NOT to let the customer know i am doing.

 

I have read in certain cases I am suppose to take the card from the customer and send it in to a particular address. Such as when the card is reported stolen.

 

With this said. I have NEVER had to do any of this. And if I HAD TO I would not know the proper procedure simplybecause I have read it once and forgot it.

Edited April 17, 2014 by stroked89coupe

[breeze]

I've been behind someone whose card was taken away - I think it's because the card had already been reported stolen. The manager came out and talked to the "customer." Someone would have to be dumber than a box of rocks to go shopping in person with a stolen card.

[RedHairedLady]

I've been behind someone whose card was taken away - I think it's because the card had already been reported stolen. The manager came out and talked to the "customer." Someone would have to be dumber than a box of rocks to go shopping in person with a stolen card.

Happens all the time, unfortunately. When my brother and sister in law were working as paramedics, one of their coworkers got caught stealing credit and debit cards from a patient, and using them at various stores. She was on camera at the stores, using the stolen credit cards. And to make it even dumber, she was wearing her EMS t shirt when she went shopping with the cards! D'oh, ha, ha!

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/06/cleveland_paramedic_caught_usi.html

Edited April 17, 2014 by RedHairedLady

[policebox]

 

I've been behind someone whose card was taken away - I think it's because the card had already been reported stolen. The manager came out and talked to the "customer." Someone would have to be dumber than a box of rocks to go shopping in person with a stolen card.

Happens all the time, unfortunately. When my brother and sister in law were working as paramedics, one of their coworkers got caught stealing credit and debit cards from a patient, and using them at various stores. She was on camera at the stores, using the stolen credit cards. And to make it even dumber, she was wearing her EMS t shirt when she went shopping with the cards! D'oh, ha, ha!

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/06/cleveland_paramedic_caught_usi.html

 

 

Some people seem to want to get caught.

[RedHairedLady]

 

 

I've been behind someone whose card was taken away - I think it's because the card had already been reported stolen. The manager came out and talked to the "customer." Someone would have to be dumber than a box of rocks to go shopping in person with a stolen card.

Happens all the time, unfortunately. When my brother and sister in law were working as paramedics, one of their coworkers got caught stealing credit and debit cards from a patient, and using them at various stores. She was on camera at the stores, using the stolen credit cards. And to make it even dumber, she was wearing her EMS t shirt when she went shopping with the cards! D'oh, ha, ha!

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/06/cleveland_paramedic_caught_usi.html

 

 

Some people seem to want to get caught.

 

Quite possibly, lol!

[PhoenixDown]

I used to have a citi card with my signature printed on it. That was the best.

 

 

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[policebox]

I used to have a citi card with my signature printed on it. That was the best.

 

 

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Was that the photo card? I had a few of their cards in the mid 1990s where you could add a passport-like photo and signature to the front of the card. In retrospect, I'm surprised a card with my photo on it ever got accepted. It was truly dire-looking, just like me.

[CG in TX]

 

I've been behind someone whose card was taken away - I think it's because the card had already been reported stolen. The manager came out and talked to the "customer." Someone would have to be dumber than a box of rocks to go shopping in person with a stolen card.

Happens all the time, unfortunately. When my brother and sister in law were working as paramedics, one of their coworkers got caught stealing credit and debit cards from a patient, and using them at various stores. She was on camera at the stores, using the stolen credit cards. And to make it even dumber, she was wearing her EMS t shirt when she went shopping with the cards! D'oh, ha, ha!

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/06/cleveland_paramedic_caught_usi.html

 

That sounds like the bank robber who told the teller to give him all the cash in the drawer. She told him that policy required a photo ID before she could do that. Back and forth a few times, then he gave her his ID. He'd have been better off seeking employment at nasajobs dot nasa dot gov

[RedHairedLady]

 

 

I've been behind someone whose card was taken away - I think it's because the card had already been reported stolen. The manager came out and talked to the "customer." Someone would have to be dumber than a box of rocks to go shopping in person with a stolen card.

Happens all the time, unfortunately. When my brother and sister in law were working as paramedics, one of their coworkers got caught stealing credit and debit cards from a patient, and using them at various stores. She was on camera at the stores, using the stolen credit cards. And to make it even dumber, she was wearing her EMS t shirt when she went shopping with the cards! D'oh, ha, ha!

 

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/06/cleveland_paramedic_caught_usi.html

 

That sounds like the bank robber who told the teller to give him all the cash in the drawer. She told him that policy required a photo ID before she could do that. Back and forth a few times, then he gave her his ID. He'd have been better off seeking employment at nasajobs dot nasa dot gov

 

Ha, ha!! Wow, what a moron, lol!

[xJohnDoe001x]

What would be nice if the card company would put your signature digitaly in the magnetic strip so that the sales person would see your signature on the screen but good forgers would not see it on the card so that they could copy it.

[stroked89coupe]

 

I use a sharpy, any color but black.

 

I still laugh when I read about people who think writing "check ID" makes then safe®

Wow....

 

Finally someone with a brain! The stupidest people put that "see id" crap and I just swipe it with out giving a crap.

 

You know what? No! I don't want to see your ID. Just give me your money!

 

Like the way you go to Walgreens or McDonalds and hand them the card or even swipe the card yourself and no one checks it. I don't want to check it either! I had an argument with a lady one time. This b!tch said to me "it's because of people like you that fraud is a big crime". People are salamanders.

 

 

 

[Mitch19]

I'm going to say this, because, it's something I'm pursuing a degree in, and I feel as though I am qualified to talk about.

 

Credit Card fraud, has changed a whole lot over the years.

 

First of all, purse snatching's, and busting out a car window to grab a purse, is a lot of risk for little reward. Now, Criminals, mostly the low-end ones, will still commit these acts to obtain credit cards and use them. However, this is pretty much a dying trend when it comes to fraud.

 

The biggest way, fraud is committed right now, as we speak. Is "Card not Present" transactions. (I'll go into more detail about this, if you guys want later)

 

However. In Store Card Fraud. Has Advanced. Previously, back in the 80's & 90's when Joe Smoe wanted to go on a shopping spree, he's mug someone, or snatch a purse. These day's he doesn't have to worry about any of that.

 

Criminals have all sorts of resources in there disposal these days. Thanks to America's Weak Security, in Point of Sale systems mostly utilizing Windows XP, and Legacy Windows 9X (98, 95 & Millennium Edition) operating systems, and the exploits available to them. Hackers are now, installing Keylogging Applications that tap into keyboard drivers.

 

These Keyboard drivers, are the same drivers, that are used to process your credit card swipe, on your verifone terminal. These Keylogging applications, grab your magnetic track data on your credit card, and than, the information is logged and forwarded to the criminals. This is what has happened in the recent data breachs, a la Home Depot & Target & Staples, etc.

 

Okay, but what does one criminal do with all this information?

 

Well. They certainly just don't go out and buy one thing, and call it quits. Nope.

 

They setup special online store fronts, to resell your personal information & credit card data. Typically for very little.

 

I mean, we've seen American Express Centurion card information for a mere $12. A Visa Signature Card for $7. A Visa Platinum for $3. A Discover for $5. The list goes on & on.

 

However. How does a Criminal utilize this? How can you turn a bunch of numbers, into a plastic Visa?

 

Well. For a small one time investment, less than $300 altogether. I can go online, and buy a magnetic stripe encoder, and PVC embosser (the kind used, to emboss names on credit cards and the numbers).

 

But... Where do they get the Plastic Credit Cards? Well. All one has to do is walk into there local neighborhood drugstore and grab a stack of Prepaid Credit & Gift Cards. Most of the time, there just stolen.

 

Those numbers on those cards, rub off easily with rubbing alcohol or Clorox Bleach. With all the information gone, you just put it in your embosser, and emboss the card information. Than, they take that embossed card, and run it through the magnetic encoder, that plugs in through a USB port on there computer, and there Done.

 

They've got a Visa Card, with your information. It even has the Card Security Features, and will glow under a black light, just like a real card.

 

 

So, in conclusion. I don't think, it really matters if you sign your card. Criminals don't need your physical card to make purchases. All they need is the hacked information and there good. I honestly don't worry about my card being stolen though.

 

Modern American Laws, have caught up with the time, and legally your not possible for no more than $50 by law, if your card is stolen and you report it, in a timely fashion. (src http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1643 )

 

Edit - Most Banking Institutions & Along with Credit Unions, have enacted "Zero Liability Policy's" limiting your liability for stolen card & fraudulent charges to $0.

 

I check my credit cards daily, however... I know this isn't possible for everyone, so I recommend, if you can, setup email alerts when your card is approaching a limit, or when a large purchase is made.

Edited February 12, 2015 by Mitch19

[GR8WhiTE]

What's goin on Stroker?

 

But yea Mitch you're right. "Card not present" is the way these crimes are going on. People just can't take responsibility for their actions and always need someone to point a finger at.

[Guest]

I used to not sign my cards, but then I got sick of being asked for ID by the clerks that knew that they can on unsigned cards, so I signed them.

 

I also would never write SEE I.D. on a card, since a fake ID is all a thief needs.

 

I also take the activation stickers off the front now. I used to leave them on.