"I have a friend that says that she only carries her license when she is driving. I'm sorry, but I just don't get it."

That is all a drivers license is for. It is issued by the state motor vehicle department for their use.
Other businesses can request it, but a person is under no obligation to show a DL to just anyone who asks to view it. Of course if one choose to not show their DL the business can opt to decline customer service if they wish (in some not all, cases) (Check with your state laws on this.)

Most people wish to protect themselves from danger, and giving up info that is on the DL to just anybody who asks would be foolish.

It is also advisable to never carry more than you need in your wallet. If you have every been a victim of a mugging you would realize how impossible it is to replace everything.

If you need to know certain numbers like your SS# just write them down on a piece of paper and put your SS card in a safe place at home. BTW the only reason you need to ever show your SS card is for SS. Nothing else.

In the case you describe, there is the possibility that the guy did not even have a DL. He may have lost it due to a traffic violation or maybe is an illegal. In todays society having a DL is more important than a high school diploma for both obtaining and retaining employment

I don't like lugging my purse everywhere and often just leave it in the car.

He acted like I was nuts to ask him for it.

How's that saying go: the best defense is a good offence?

I almost always carry some form of ID when I go out. Otherwise you get hit by a car and lie in the morgue for days until someone realizes you haven't been around.

I'm guilty of not having ID on me. I often just grab the Blackberry and leave the other baggage locked in the trunk.

It annoys me when merchants request ID for small amount credit card charges. Just today the guy at Game Stop wanted ID for a $5 charge to reserve a video game kiddo #1 wants. (He made honor roll and this is his little 'good job reward' :D) Totally a PITA. For five bucks they want ID -- and I know, I know it's for my/consumer protection, yadda, yadda, yadda -- it's still a pain sometimes because I generally have just a couple bucks with me because we try to rack up the points on the plastic.

(Ignoring all who think it's no big deal........)

I was already nodding when I saw the name of this thread. I don't get it and no one I work with gets it either. Now, of course, I work at a bank and getting ID is our stock-in-trade, but still. You don't know what might happen when you walk into a store, go for a jog, or decide to tour Disneyland. Even if your purse is large and cumbersome, you can always put one of those little card carriers in your pocket with your ID, maybe a credit or bank card, and enough cash to get yourself out of an unexpected jam. I do that to walk my dogs, get out at garage sales, or when I go into the laundromat twice a year to wash my comforters.

Carrying your Social Security card or every credit card you own is not a great idea. And I agree, you should never pull out your SS card at any store or the bank or anywhere else, unless you are proving your number at the SS Administration office or to gain new employment.

If your car gets stolen with your purse in it.......well, I'm just sayin'....

But I do get the surprised and sometimes annoyed reaction to asking someone for ID, Terriks.
John Doe comes into the bank to cash a $350 check. He's not our customer so I ask for primary ID. (Driver's license or Military ID with picture or State ID with picture, or Passport) He tells me he doesn't have it and can he show me his Costco card? Well no. Now he's annoyed and wants to know how he's going to cash his check. I tell him to come back with good unexpired ID. And since the check is over $300 he needs secondary ID too....a credit or bank card, health insurance card, car registration, something.
And when he's gone, we all shake our heads and wonder why a guy over 12 years old would be out in the world with no ID.

Red

I always carry my ID and when people ask me for it, I reply, "thanks for asking." I had my license and debit card stolen once. Thanks to people who asked for ID, it was rejected a few times before I even noticed it was missing.

When I was selling real estate I once went to a closing with my clients, and the husband hadn't thought to bring his ID with him. Everyone had to wait while he went home and got his ID. I guess he didn't realize that all those legal documents needed to be notarized. The escrow officer said that it happened all the time, despite the fact that they always reminded the clients to bring their ID with them to sign their documents.
I figure that if something happens to me and I'm unconscious I want emergency workers to know who I am.

Merchants may not require a customer to provide an ID for the transaction. It violates the Merchant Agreement they sign with the credit card company. You can call your credit card company to report this transgression.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rights

Shut the heck up! I'm so clueless. I am off to read that link right now, dilly!

I can tell you that same day I was NOT walking out of Wal-Mart's Neighborhood market with my $125 in groceries without showing the cashier my driver's license to go with my credit card. When she finalized the order, the register/computer gave her the prompt to check ID and if you don't show ID, you don't leave with your groceries. Around these parts it's a regular occurrence and I normally take my purse in with me for purchasing/shopping errands like that.

But to run into the game store and the only mission was to put $5 down to pre-order a video game was a lil different. I never imagined they'd require ID for a deposit as we weren't even leaving with merchandise - and we'd be back to buy the game when it came in. Just struck me as kinda silly.

Geesh. I guess I will just have to "Shut the heck up!" and go crawl in a hole, but before I obey, let me link to the rules for credit card acceptance as published by VISA. Scroll down to where is says (in bold print BTW):

"When should you ask a cardholder for an official government ID? although Visa
rules do not preclude merchants from asking for cardholder ID, merchants
cannot make an ID a condition of acceptance . Therefore, merchants cannot
refuse to complete a purchase transaction because a cardholder refuses to
provide ID . Visa believes merchants should not ask for ID as part of their
regular card acceptance procedures . Laws in several states also make it illegal
for merchants to write a cardholderÂs personal information, such as an address or
phone number, on a sales receipt."

*** Many merchants have the register prompt the cashier to ask for ID if alcohol is being purchased. This has nothing to do with the credit card transaction. Some people get confused by this.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rules for CC Acceptance.

No, no, no, Dilly! "Shut the heck up" is just an expression and means the opposite (tell me more). It's like, "Get out of here, I didn't know that."

Seriously. Maybe it is a regional expression.

I almost always carry some form of ID when I go out. Otherwise you get hit by a car and lie in the morgue for days until someone realizes you haven't been around.

I'll come back later to post more but I almost posted similar last night when I saw this thread.

There are tons of John & Jane Doe's that have not been identified. I know of 2 people that suffer from amnesia and have no clue who they are.

I feel we need some kind of system to ID people; just not sure of what and how I feel about how invasive it would be to us.

Years ago in college I worked in retail and they told us to always ask for id if the back of the card wasn't signed (to be able to compare signatures), or if the back of the card had "see id" on it, even on small purchases because often times that's how stolen credit cards are tested.

Several smaller purchases made with stolen credit cards are more likely to go unnoticed for banks that monitor suspicious credit card purchases.

I have "see id" on the back of my cards and am surprised at how often cashiers don't ask, even when they see it. Like Golddust, I appreciate the associate taking the time to check for the stores benefit and mine, even if it means I won't get out of the store two minutes faster.

I have known people who have had their credit cards stolen, and it can be far more of a hassle to deal with than taking the extra time to show id.

No, no, no, Dilly! "Shut the heck up" is just an expression and means the opposite (tell me more). It's like, "Get out of here, I didn't know that."

Yup, that's exactly what I meant. Thanks graywings. :)

I read thru the whole link and it is interesting, dilly! Thanks for posting it.

I see/read that the biggest concern for some folks is the fact that being required to show ID is sharing yet one more piece of identity. But in that nano-second the cashier sees the ID, I have to wonder just how much can they get from it, ya know? They might see the address but does it really register where you live, kind of thing.

If I ever get hit by a car and my Blackberry survives, they can find out whatever they need. They'll probably have to pry it from my hand. Having my Blackberry stolen or losing it worries me more than credit card theft. My whole life is in that thing. That might make mean I'm a Crackberry addict.

("Crackberry" instead of "Blackberry" might be another regional joke :D)

I'm another one who believes in carrying their ID. It never occured to me NOT to show my ID for a credit card purchase if asked, simply because I realize it's for my own protection. I also have something like "ask for ID" written on the back of my CCs in lieu of signature, but nowadays I'm usually swiping my own card anyway instead of handing it to a cashier.

Remember the old days when cashiers used to write your DL AND CC number on the back of a check? Now THAT'S an invasion of privacy. They don't do that anymore do they? I haven't written a check in so long, who knows!

Around there the expression is "shut the f up"... We had a young new employee who registered shock at our Christmas party a few years back when I told her that her boss was pregnant by saying that right to my face. I didn't mind, we were all drinking and laughing but she was horrified right after she said it and was afraid she was going to get in trouble for it. It sort of became a joke between us.

Dilly, I'm curious. Do you refuse to show ID when asked on a CC purchase? If so, do the cashiers insist or just say ok?

I don't have a problem showing my ID for a credit card purchase, but I'm not so sure "it's for my own protection." I don't need, nor do I want, someone else "looking out" for me. That's not the responsibility of some store clerk; it's mine and mine alone. I am sure that a store's insistence upon verifying that I am who my credit card says I am is for their protection. They really don't give a rat's arse about protecting me. ;-)

I also routinely carry my ID with me, because, as stated above, should I be involved in an accident I want to be identified so that my loved ones will know. I'm somewhat reluctant to say that I think everyone should be forced to retain some form of personal identification on them at all times, however. If a person wants to "fall off the grid", so to speak, that is entirely their right, IMO.

Carry my id? My whole life is in my wallet and it rarely leaves my side. I would never leave my purse in the car unless it was for a very short time, in a safe area and stored in the trunk.

"Dilly, I'm curious. Do you refuse to show ID when asked on a CC purchase? If so, do the cashiers insist or just say ok?"

I use credit cards and I have NEVER been asked for an ID. I am surprised that so many people say this has happened to them.

Showing your ID when you use the card does nothing to protect you. It does nothing to protect the retailer either. It does nothing. As long as the retailer has run the card through and gotten an 'OK' authorization the retailer is protected. It might protect the credit card company, but yet they do not require it.

BTW, if you read the link for * Rules for CC Acceptance * above @12:17 you will see it says that an unsigned card is invalid and a retailer can refuse it. Yes, this means even if you have CID written on it.

I didn't make the rules. I am only pointing out the credit card terms so that people know their rights.

I feel places like Walmart have their own policy. It's annoying when they ask for ID or ask to see the card when you've just put everything away; and the line is long. I understand that there are times it will ask; but it's always at the wrong times - like when you're in a rush.

It used to amaze me how many cashiers do not check ID when it was written on the back of a card; until one credit card company told me you still had to sign the card.. oh well.

As far as things happening and people sitting in a morgue with NO ID; this is a real problem. Young and old, there are tons of Doe's.

I worry about my own teen; I try to take pictures of her at least with my cell when she changes - say weight/hair. I try to take different pics; it's amazing how different a person can look just by how the head is held. Doe's are usually lying down, changing the face. I also have a finger print card on my teen.

In my spare time I help out at a forum, my main reason for going there was an amnesia victim who had no ID, and suffers from amnesia after a beating he received. This is the blog for Benjaman Kyle He should be fairly easy to ID because of scars & surgeries but he's not. A good story is here A 'real live nobody' Benjaman as he calls himself, has had amnesia for 5 years.

He was on Dr Phil - Dr Phil's linguist said this

***** From Dr. Phil's linguist - Definitely midwestern to western, ie Colorado etc...possibly Ohio, Indiana, Nebraska. He does not have any drawl or broad A when he speaks, so the south or even Minnesota/Wisconsin/Michigan seem to be out of the question.

Dr Phil's linguist : Carmen says that when she heard Benjaman's dialect, she believed it to be an inland southern dialect. "The states that it would include would be Oklahoma, parts of southern Indiana, Kansas, southern Missouri maybe, maybe parts of Texas. So thatÂs the area that IÂm mostly focusing on, in terms of trying to determine where heÂs from," she explains.
We have estimated his birth date to have occurred in the 1950's.

The newest Juan Doe was found in Arizona - It's believed he's from Texas; his photo and story can be found here - Updated article Here

Then there are cold cases - people found deceased with no ID. Like this young man in Canada. Just about every state has their share of these.

OK, I give. Showing your ID doesn't do anything. I've been asked for my ID with CC a lot so if it does nothing, I wonder why they bother. Exactly what ARE they accomplishing? If the name on your DL doesn't match the name on your CC, will they, can they, refuse to accept it?

And yes, I've been given a hard time for having an unsigned CC. However, IME, no one actually LOOKS at the signature once it's there. That's why I wrote Ask for ID. They just look to see that SOMETHING is written there. They don't bother comparing the signature or even examining it in any way.

Actually the post office is the only place I've almost been refused for lack of signature. But here's the ridiculous part: they wanted me to sign it then and there! So... while I can see an ID actually helping to identify the user if you compare names, I just don't get the point of the signature. Seems upside down to me, but heck! what do I know?

Posted by lowspark: "Actually the post office is the only place I've almost been refused for lack of signature. But here's the ridiculous part: they wanted me to sign it then and there!"

If you go and read the VISA merchant agreement link I provided, you will see that what the Post Office asked you to do is proper procedure. Obviously they have employees well trained there - unlike Walmart.

Here is an excerpt if you don't want to click on the link:

"While checking card security features, you should also make sure that the card
is signed . An unsigned card is considered invalid and should not be accepted . If a
customer gives you an unsigned card, the following steps must be taken:
 Check the cardholderÂs ID . Ask the cardholder for some form of official
government identification, such as a driverÂs license or passport . Where
permissible by law, the ID serial number and expiration date should be
written on the sales receipt before you complete the transaction .
 Ask the customer to sign the card . The card should be signed within your
full view, and the signature checked against the customerÂs signature on the
ID . A refusal to sign means the card is still invalid and cannot be accepted .
Ask the customer for another signed Visa card .
 Compare the signature on the card to the signature on the ID .
If the cardholder refuses to sign the card, and you accept it, you may end up with
financial liability for the transaction should the cardholder later dispute the charge.

BTW, Walmart CANNOT make their own policy regarding this as someone mentioned. They contract with the credit card companies and MUST follow the agreement they signed. That is just the way it is. If Walmart is breaking the rules - report them.

Ah! Dilly, yes, THAT makes sense. IF the PO had actually asked me to present a picture ID, and THEN asked me to sign, and actually compared signatures, then I could understand. And believe me, I'm not questioning YOU.

What they did was look at the back of my card and see it was blank, then tell me they could not accept it unless I signed it right then and there. No request for ID. So, finally that's exactly what I did. In front of the PO clerk, I wrote "Ask for ID" then handed it back. That satisfied her and she processed my purchase.

So, are the PO employees well trained? I guess the answer to that is yes, if well trained means that they follow instructions by rote without thinking or using any reasoning beyond doing exactly what they've been told to do.

Now, I almost never shop at walmart so I can't remember what they do. The one place I know I always get asked for ID is at the outlet mall (in San Marcos, TX) which I visit twice a year. Every store there asks for ID. And 90% of the clerks I present it to look at the picture and look at me, and look at the name on both the ID and CC. Of course it all matches. So I still wonder, what do they do if something doesn't match?

Lowspark, at the store I worked at if the ID and CC names didn't match we refused the sale. That may have just been that particular store's policy, not sure.

My boss and I just went to WalMart and spent $1000 buying coats for our local "Coats for Kids" program. He had his ID ready to show them with his credit card because he knew that they would ask. The cashier told us that the register prompts them to check ID for credit card purchases over $100.

Dilly, Thanks for the info from Visa. I never questioned someone asking me for my ID to make a purchase. I have printed out the page from the link and next time someone wants my ID for a $5 purchase (or any purchase) I may just pull it out and tell them that I don't share that information, and that Visa rules prohibit them from requiring it for my transaction. Whether or not I do that will depend on how ornery I am feeling that day!

My boss and I just went to WalMart and spent $1000 buying coats for our local "Coats for Kids" program.

Oh that's so cool, terriks!

I do wonder what stores think cashiers are accomplishing by checking ID. And seriously, what happens if they "catch" someone? I've never seen headlines on CNN about Wal-Mart employees foiling and taking down identity stealing rings.

It is a problem for credit card companies because I absolutely have opted not to mess with going out to my trunk to get my ID and instead just paid with cash. If it's a hassle (at the moment) to use the plastic, I will choose to use cash if I have it.

Interesting and informative discussion!

Interesting and informative discussion!
I agree!!

roobear,
So... did you take any further action? Keep the card? Maybe you're not allowed to do that? Alert the CC company somehow? I mean, it's probably a GOOD thing that you refused the sale, but then that same person will probably take the card to the store next door and if they don't check the ID... well....

So, there's my point. In refusing the sale, the store has presumably helped Visa (because that's who ends up absorbing the cost on purchases with a stolen card, right?), helped themselves (because they've probably saved themselves at least some hassle regarding the purchase on a stolen card), helped me (if it had been my card which was stolen) and helped all of us (because after all, Visa passes their costs on to the stores, and the stores pass them on to us).

Again, I'm not disputing anyone specifically, or saying, You're wrong, I'm right! LOL. Just trying to get the big picture.

The Coats for Kids program is pretty cool. A local TV station started it, and in 2004 my office took on the responsibility of coordinating picking up the coats from the drop off locations, getting them to the cleaners, contacting the schools to get their "orders" of coats that they need, sorting, bundling and delivering them to the schools. Our office manager had been handling the logistics of all that, but was laid off right as we were gearing up to start. So most of that responsibility has fallen on my shoulders. Hopefully, I'm doing okay with it! I work at a real estate office and a percentage of each commission goes to the corporate foundation. Then each office is allocated a percentage of foundation money to give back to the community. We use ours to buy more coats.

Lowspark, I don't remember taking anyone's card-I don't think we could do that. I know we had direct phone numbers to all the major CC companies and called them often to verify purchases when the registers would prompt us to call.

I'm sure if we were ever prompted to call and the CC company told us the card was reported stolen, then yes we probably could take the card and call the police, but I don't think that ever happened while I was working there.

Checking ID is probably just a deterrent more than anything else.

On my Visa credit card/ATM, on the back where it says signature - I wrote - please ask for ID. I usually use it as an ATM, but some places want the credit card - it I am NOT asked for an ID, I ask the clerk to get a manager there - I don't want someone else using my card and if they don't match the signature, anyone can use it!!! It is for my benefit... Just my opinion...

Grandma, you can't just write "see ID". You have to actually sign your card for it to be valid.

Yeah, maybe but...

Cashiers aren't handwriting analysis experts. They're cashiers.

Logically, if a thief is brazen enough to steal a credit card and use it, I have great difficulty believing that a cashier checking for a signature match is going to be any kind of deterrent.

After all, they are a criminal and dollars to doughnuts says if they figured out how to steal a credit card, they can get a fake ID, duplicate the signature so graciously provided to them via your credit card and away they go spending plastic money.

I'm beginning to believe that the ID'ing bit really isn't achieving squat. It's an exercise in futility whether there's special instruction on the back of the card or not.

Credit card companies with monitoring and alert systems and diligently watching out for your own self might be the only tangible course of protection.

"I'm sure if we were ever prompted to call and the CC company told us the card was reported stolen, then yes we probably could take the card and call the police, but I don't think that ever happened while I was working there."

First of all they won't tell you if the card was stolen or what the reason is that it is being declined.

Part of the reason is the customer's privacy (ie: maybe they got behind in payments.)

Part of the reason is that sometimes cards are declined for flagging reasons and the cardholder is not guilty of anything. (You are suppose to tell your card company when you go on vacation with your cards, so when they see purchases coming in from Romania or someplace not where you live or usually use your card, they will know it is you using it and not a counterfeiter. Not everyone knows this.)

Part of the reason is so the cashier doesn't do anything thoopid trying to be a know-it-all hero and get themselves killed or get their place of employment sued.

If you read your user agreement that comes with you credit card, you will see that it CLEARLY spells out that the card is the property of the credit card company - it is not your property.

Very often the CC company will ask the cashier to keep the card. If you read the link above I provided it says that if a cashier is instructed to keep the card that they should do so only if they feel safe doing so. They are worried about the safety of the cashier. There have been cases were a person got violent when their card was denied.

Also a cashier should NEVER take it upon themselves to "just decide" to keep the card. It is not their right to do so either. The card is only kept upon instructions from the CC company.

The CC company handles calling the police if it is a situation that warrants it - not the retailer. They won't even tell the retailer/cashier if the police are called and on their way. One reason is so that the cashier does not inadvertently or even purposely tip off the culprit. (Sometimes a cashier is in cahoots with cardholder to defraud the company.) It happens.

Dilly, I have to ask, what's with all the text style variations?

I can't tell if your just really passionate about this subject, or if it's something else.

I was only sharing my limited personal experience from over ten years ago. I wasn't out to prove anyone wrong on their opinion or knowledge of the facts on the subject. I'm sorry that I shared my limited experience without being well versed on the proper knowledge of all credit card terms, conditions, and agreements.

I am very

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I even talk in italics. Really! You should hear me.

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But I don't want to derail Terriks' thread here with a discussion about the use of italics in posts and how people these days forget to use italics. There is a thread started elsewhere about the use of capital letters (or lack of use). We can continue over there. People in that thread were very passionate about the use of capital letters in other people's posts.

----------

Back to credit card merchant agreements..........

Rules:

http://fso.cpasitesolutions.com/premium/LE/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html#D

These states listed below in the link even have laws written specifically prohibiting the collection of personal information no matter wheat the merchant agreement says. My state is listed. This may be why I have never been asked for ID with a credit card purchase, because not only would the retailer be breaking the rules of the merchant agreement they would also be breaking state law. Breaking the merchant agreement might just get the retailer a slap on the wrist from the credit card company. Breaking the law is more serious and retailers are less apt to do this.

http://fso.cpasitesolutions.com/premium/LE/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html#MORE:A

Here is a link that might be useful: Rules for CC Acceptance.

Dilly, no offense, but when I read your first reply post I thought you came off sounding like a conflict loving know it all, I wasn't sure. Thank you for letting me know that it's just passion and your great strong personality. :)

I see now how posts in forums can be misunderstood and people can get unnecessarily upset or defensive.

Sorry Terrik, I went OT for a moment, I'm back on track now I promise. :)

Dilly,
Just curious, how/why do you know so much about this? I mean, is there a personal reason that you're so deeply passionate about CC purchases? Just wondering.

I don't mind the derailment. I am always happy when I learn something new! So derail away!

If you don't have an ID, how do you get health care? Since health care providers don't collect fees in full at the time of service, they're subject to the "red flags" provisions of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction (FACT) Act of 2003. That means they have to have a plan and processes in place to deter identity theft. Many clinics and hospital, including mine, have addressed that by requiring a photo ID at check-in. It seems like a bit of a stretch to think that someone would claim to be me and receive services for which my insurance company and I would be billed, but that's the reason they give.

Wanted to post that the "Juan Doe" I posted above has been identified and is now home with his family! I'm trying to find an updated news article.

The forum I go to identified him

Someone posted a news story on his reuniting with his family if anyone is interested

Here is a link that might be useful: Amnesiac man reunites with family members