Did You Know? There Are No Penalties for Illegal Credit Card Use?

Quote from setsail : I worked at a credit union for several years and we could not accept a card from a member unless it was signed with a signature, even if it meant waiting for them to ride out their temper tantrum because they couldn't have it their way. It's for a cardholder's own protection that signature is required. Write see id all over the rest of the area but the card should still be signed.

Quote from dalokgawd : If someone did that to me I would never patronize that business again. Forcing someone to sign the back of a credit card is a ludicrous thing for a business to do. Checking ID makes it more difficult to commit fraud, which any business with a reasonable thought process should be all for.

I've been working in retail for almost 10 years. Do you have any idea how ticked off some customers get when I ask to see their ID for credit cards or personal checks?! Majority... some people just aren't happy no matter what precautions are trying to be taken to prevent fraud, if it causes them any inconvenience... So, with the system we have set up right now somebody is going to have to tick off the card holder (bank and/or business) in order to try and prevent fraud for the cardholder.
I also do not like putting my signature on my cards in case they are stolen, but it can't be worse the when you sign a credit card slip or a check, whoever you hand that piece of paper to now has a copy of your signature.

yeah, my credit card got stolen once and someone almost bought a car with it.

Not signing the card is more stupid.

Quote from MtnTripp : I've been working in retail for almost 10 years. Do you have any idea how ticked off some customers get when I ask to see their ID for credit cards or personal checks?! Majority... some people just aren't happy no matter what precautions are trying to be taken to prevent fraud, if it causes them any inconvenience... So, with the system we have set up right now somebody is going to have to tick off the card holder (bank and/or business) in order to try and prevent fraud for the cardholder. I also do not like putting my signature on my cards in case they are stolen, but it can't be worse the when you sign a credit card slip or a check, whoever you hand that piece of paper to now has a copy of your signature.

I am always happy when they ask to see my ID. I always think to myself, well if my credit card gets stolen and the thief comes here, at least they won't get away with it. And when I sign a check, on the rare occasions that I still use a check, having my signature does the person no good because they don't have my checkbook. Whereas if someone gets a hold of my credit card and it has the signature on the back, they have the card AND the method required to fraudulently use it without getting caught in one nice little bundle.

Quote from dalokgawd : I am always happy when they ask to see my ID. I always think to myself, well if my credit card gets stolen and the thief comes here, at least they won't get away with it. And when I sign a check, on the rare occasions that I still use a check, having my signature does the person no good because they don't have my checkbook. Whereas if someone gets a hold of my credit card and it has the signature on the back, they have the card AND the method required to fraudulently use it without getting caught in one nice little bundle.

How is having your credit card and your signature more beneficial to a thief compared to the one who has your card and the opportunity to fill it with his version?

Quote from dalokgawd : I am always happy when they ask to see my ID. I always think to myself, well if my credit card gets stolen and the thief comes here, at least they won't get away with it. And when I sign a check, on the rare occasions that I still use a check, having my signature does the person no good because they don't have my checkbook. Whereas if someone gets a hold of my credit card and it has the signature on the back, they have the card AND the method required to fraudulently use it without getting caught in one nice little bundle.

Quote from Foreveryours : How is having your credit card and your signature more beneficial to a thief compared to the one who has your card and the opportunity to fill it with his version?

Good point Foreveryours.

You know... I'm wondering, if someone wrote "See ID" on the card, could the person who steals it not just mark through it and write in a fake signature? Can a business that just checks the signature (and doesn't ask for ID's unless it's on the card) actually question that and deny the card?

Quote from MtnTripp : I've been working in retail for almost 10 years. Do you have any idea how ticked off some customers get when I ask to see their ID for credit cards or personal checks?! Majority... some people just aren't happy no matter what precautions are trying to be taken to prevent fraud, if it causes them any inconvenience... So, with the system we have set up right now somebody is going to have to tick off the card holder (bank and/or business) in order to try and prevent fraud for the cardholder. I also do not like putting my signature on my cards in case they are stolen, but it can't be worse the when you sign a credit card slip or a check, whoever you hand that piece of paper to now has a copy of your signature.

I love it when they check. I use my dh's card all the time. It is hardly ever questioned. It's kind of scary when you think about it.

Quote from Foreveryours : How is having your credit card and your signature more beneficial to a thief compared to the one who has your card and the opportunity to fill it with his version?

How is he going to fill it with his signature when the words CHECK ID are written across the back in huge letters?

Quote from MtnTripp : Good point Foreveryours. You know... I'm wondering, if someone wrote "See ID" on the card, could the person who steals it not just mark through it and write in a fake signature? Can a business that just checks the signature (and doesn't ask for ID's unless it's on the card) actually question that and deny the card?

Considering my CHECK ID takes up 75% of the panel in the back, I would think that it would be a pretty big red flag for whoever is checking the back of the card.

Haven't had anyone actually check the back of the card in so long. I did however have 2 fraudulent charges with my card over the weekend.

Quote from thikthird : let's not act like those signatures don't rub off after like a week of coming in and out of your wallet and being swiped. all mine on me are either an unrecognizable blur or the white area has been completely scraped off. that said, once or twice i've had people call me on not having a card signed (brand new card) or the signature being unrecognizable/rubbed off. in those cases i showed i.d.

Wow, a rational post.

Try a few hours....I just received a new CC after mine was fraudulently used. I signed it with a Pilot G-2 pen, and let it sit for a few hours.... didn't even think about the whole drying time or anything like that.... just signed it and left it on the desk.

I picked it up after a few hours and the signature smudges....

Quote from dalokgawd : How is he going to fill it with his signature when the words CHECK ID are written across the back in huge letters? Considering my CHECK ID takes up 75% of the panel in the back, I would think that it would be a pretty big red flag for whoever is checking the back of the card.

Maybe if they used White Out!

Quote from teenbean : Maybe if they used White Out!

Well if they're gonna do that they could white out a signature just as easy couldn't they?

Quote from dalokgawd : How is he going to fill it with his signature when the words CHECK ID are written across the back in huge letters? Considering my CHECK ID takes up 75% of the panel in the back, I would think that it would be a pretty big red flag for whoever is checking the back of the card.

Quote from dalokgawd : Well if they're gonna do that they could white out a signature just as easy couldn't they?

The thief could just write CHECK ID as their signature

Quote from ALVSGIRLY : I love it when they check. I use my dh's card all the time. It is hardly ever questioned. It's kind of scary when you think about it.

Yeah I would say, lol. Nothing is very secure anymore.