I never had anyone ask for my ZIP code when using a credit card.

There's a simple solution, of course. Pay cash.

Some retailers routinely ask for your zip--I don't have a problem giving it, because since I pay cash, all they're getting is a rough idea of where their shoppers live. There's no way, they can figure out precisely who I am, or what my address is.

Of course, having 2 homes, I generally give the zip of the one farthest from the store--LOL. In some cases, that's because I'm hoping that if they get enough shoppers from my zip, they'll open a retail outlet in that area, as well.

The only place that I noticed asking for a zipcode with my credit card is Redbox. Everywhere else I use cash or personal checks.. Micheals asks for your zipcode and some places ask for a phone number. If I use a check they're getting all that info anyhow.

I'm usually asked for my zip code whether paying cash or with my card, I always assumed it was a marketing study. The store can track where the bulk of their customers reside. But I also accept credit cards and my terminal asks for and address or zip code, it is part of the verification process of the card.

I just tell them 'no' when they ask for it. They can ask for my driver's license if they need proof that I own the card!

It's asked for at most gas stations when you use your credit card to pay outside.

At least, here in Oklahoma, and all the way to New Mexico, where I go often.

Moni

Haven't been asked for my Zip code for quite a while;guess everybody knows where I live by now. LOL.

I have learned just recently though, that when you need to sign in the little space on the machine, after using a credit card, you can scribble anything you want to, or make a happy face or lol. Doesn't matter. So have fun with it.

Sue

Asked for almost all the time now when I use a card to pay at the pump. I used to think it was a marketing thing when retailers asked for it when they ring up your purchases which it may be. The thing at the pump though is a validation that you are the owner of your card. If you don't put the zip code that's on your billing statement you get rejected and have to go inside to pay. I prefer to pay at the pump so I punch in my zip code.

Oh for heaven's sake! I don't need your zip code to find you if I have you CC #. Heck I don't need you CC number to find you.

Identity theft is not about knowing where someone lives. It's about knowing their banks, their websites etc.

Do you use snail mail? Do you ever write checks? Do you carry those stupid store discount cards like CVS? There you have it. Far more info than giving a zip code shared by gadzillions of people. Commonsense people.

Boy these AARP idiots sure know how to prey on the fears of the people they pretend to be on the side of.

A friend told me (she works as a clerk in Macys) the reason they ask for your zip code is for market research, they want to know what town you're from so they can target their advertising. My zip code is a public record, I give it out freely, don't consider it a way of stealing my credit card identity. I am proud to say I live in Zip code 11754, Kings Park (Long Island) NY.

Don't want to be caught with your ZIP-

-per undone, huh?

o j

I don't give my zip but not too many merchants ask. I also don't give them my phone number. But I knew it was marketing.

Asking for your zip code doesn't prove you own the card - one of my credit cards is billed to an address in another state which isn't the one I'm licensed to drive in.

When asking for verification purposes they ask for the zipcode to verify that it is the billing address on file.

I live in Newjersy and have credit cards and have never been ask for my zip.

Pay at the pump often asks for it. It's common sense. If the card is stolen the perp probably won't know the zip code.

Wildchild put it aptly. This is a scare tactic by an outfit trying to raise money and scare people into signing up. Shame on them. No way will I ever support that scam outfit now.

They *did* admit that there's marketing reasons to ask for a zip code. But really, identity theft from a zip code is approaching laughable.

There may be some outfits with ulterior motives but not all as that scam outfit suggests. If you're that paranoid, just give a different zip. But if it's a verification, you might not be able to make the purchase or worse, have to explain to the cops when they question whether you stole the card! LOL

Even those who go so crazy over phone numbers need to think a bit. When I make online purchases they need the phone number registered to the credit card to verify the card is good. And I've had random checks to be sure that I was making a purchase too.

As far as junk mail, credit card outfits already sell your name, theoretically you can opt-out but I'm not sure about that with some of them.

Isn't it ironic that AARP should talk about *junk* mail? LOL I get more junk mail from cAARP than from any other outfit. The way they cull public records to gain mailing lists and prey on the vulnerable and now this? That outfit has had little respect from me in the past and now exploiting the vulnerable even more. They're disgusting.

Cynic I collect AARP junk mail and send it back to them in their prepaid envelope.

We have 2 credit cards, Visa and Discovery. I only use Visa for gas (full size truck = big bucks to fill) and have had to put in my zip for a long time. A few weeks ago, 200 miles into a 1000 mile (each way) trip, I put in my zip at the gas station and was told to go talk to the cashier. She says the pump is goofy, so I went to another pump and same thing. So I went to another gas station and same thing, go talk to the cashier, which I did, only to find out my card was frozen. Then it dawned on me that when we moved a few weeks earlier and submitted the new address to Visa it had gone through. And I was using the old zip. Wrong zip = frozen card. So, I tried to use the Discover card with the new zip -- got that one frozen because the paperwork hadn't gone through. I was panic-stricken. I had to buy gas and get a motel room, etc. for a long trip. I called DH and he called Visa and Discover and got them unfrozen. WHEW! We're moving again in four weeks (YAY! Going home to Florida!) so I'm expecting to encounter the same problem again. Oh, and when Michaels or whatever store asks for my zip, I just say no. :-)

We accept credit cards for our business. It is mandatory we enter a zipcode and a street address (just the number part) to process a cc, as well as the security card. Don't blame it on the merchant.

drewsmaga, if I were in your situation I would not do the change of address until after the move is complete on one of the cards. That way you won't be left stranded.