Comments on: Life Takes Visa and So Should You - Why You Should Always Use Credit or Debit Cards

By: Debra

Debra — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:11:05 +0000

My guess they can’t check ID as a privacy measure. Many people use their home address on their driver’s licenses, and some states still put SSN’s as well.

The possibility of that information being misused is very slim, of course, but all Visa/MC would need is one well-publicized incident of someone being forced to show their DL to purchase a big-screen TV, only to have their home burgled by the store clerk, for example.

Far-fetched, but unfortunately not impossible in today’s world.

By: Raymond

Raymond — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:10:43 +0000

Tim, you’re right!

I looked into it, but it really boggles my mind why Visa and MasterCard would expressly require merchants to enter into a contract agreeing NOT to check for identification beyond comparing signatures.

MasterCard even has an online form where you can report merchants that required identification! That just seems so counter-intuitive

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:59:03 +0000

Cashiers should NOT check your I.D. If you read the Visa merchant agreement they are expressly forbidden from checking your I.D. Your signature is considered proof enough.

By: Carnival of Personal Finance #127 - Wonders of the World | Moolanomy

Carnival of Personal Finance #127 - Wonders of the World | Moolanomy — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:04:11 +0000

[...] Blue Book presents Takes Visa and So Should You - Why You Should Always Use Credit or Debit Cards — David (Raymond) takes on Goliath and counter his points with his [...]

By: E.C.

E.C. — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 22:07:21 +0000

If you are making a large purchase, using a credit card is also a good idea since there is generally a bit of extra protection if the item is defective. My card agreement states: “If you have a problem with the quality of goods or services that you have purchased with a credit card, and you have tried in good faith to correct the problem with the merchant, you may not have to pay the remaining amount due on the goods and services. You have this protection only when the purchase price was more than $50 and the purchase was made in your home state or within 100 miles of your mailing address.”

By: lelak

lelak — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 07:15:36 +0000

The only time the cashier ever scrutinises the signature on my credit card is when I’m buying a case of beer.

By: Raymond

Raymond — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 05:07:58 +0000

No one ever checks my ID anymore or even checks to see if my receipt signature matches the one displayed on the credit card. Nowadays I just sign literally with an “X” or sometimes I’ll get creative and sign with smiley faces.

I think credit cards are so common now and the credit card fraud protections are so extensive that consumers and merchants have both gotten very lax about identity verification. It’s all about transaction expediency now I think.

By: Chief Family Officer

Chief Family Officer — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 04:51:26 +0000

My problem with the commercial is more of a security thing - why isn’t the cashier checking ID?!