Call Kurtis: Credit Card Identification
Jun 5, 2008 8:43 pm US/Pacific
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ― Many stores ask to see your I.D when you pay with plastic. But does that make you any safer?Pull out the plastic and sometimes you'll hear "Can I see your ID?" If you get offended but show it anyway, you're not alone."I think it protects you if your card has been stolen from the people using it who aren't you," says Stephan Smith.That's what the merchants will tell you. But frankly, under federal law you're already protected. If someone steals your card, the most you are liable for is $50, and credit card companies often cover the loss.
"Any store that tries to tell you that the ID request is for your protection is either lying to you or is fundamentally confused about the way credit cards work," explains Joe Ridout.Believe it or not, showing your ID can do more harm than good. You are revealing your home address, birth date and more information the merchant doesn't need. The exceptions are when you're buying alcohol or tobacco.So if they ask, and it bothers you, just say no. The store must still accept your card. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express spell out the rules in their agreements.
"If the consumer has a card that's been signed on the back and gives the merchant a signature, that's the only identification that's required," says Joe Ridout.The merchant can confirm your identity by comparing the signature on the card to the one on the receipt. Or they can call the credit card company to check its validity.
Source:http://cbs13.com/consumer/call.kurtis.kurtis.2.741833.html
