Checking ID's for credit cards?

Checking ID's for credit cards?
My friend told me that a long while ago when get got caught up in some abuse case, he was told by an F.B.I. agent that when the back of a credit card is signed you are NOT supposed to check a persons ID, and if a person were to complain they could sue you (or "get you in trouble for checking" is more accurate). He says, that by 'signing the back of a credit card' you are verifying that "this is in fact you". Is this true? I've ALWAYS checked ID's for credit, but never for debit since it requires a pin that only the owner or persons sharing the account should know. And if this IS true, what about stores that have policies about checking ID's? Who would be at fault if a customer were to complain? My friend insists that I would be at fault, and not the company I work for.


Answers:

Mark H:  The reason for the signature is purley for I.D. purposes, meaning that if you wanted to verify the persons signature versus the signature on another form of ID like a drivers license, which NOBODY does.

This is supposed to be so people can't use someone elses credit cards.

Your friend is completely off his rocker and makes no sense at all
2008-01-21 20:52:16
Me I:  I don't mind. In fact I prefer that they check because if a thief has my card and no one checks because its signed on the back....what is stop him/her? Only uptight people get upset by things like that!!!! It is meant to protect your good name....why get mad?
2008-01-21 20:53:45
sta5757528912:  It is legal for a company to ask someone for an ID when a customer is using a credit card. That being known, you have no reason to worry about you being liable for checking. Check out this website for all of the details:

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs15-mt.htm
2008-01-21 20:58:31
Doc Hudson:  I to would rather be ID'd that for some crook to use my credit card unchallenged.

I'm pretty sure your friend is way off the mark.

Doc
2008-01-21 20:59:07
rickinnocal:  It is ALWAYS legal for a store to request ID before accepting a credit card, and to refuse to accept it if you say no.

If the signature on the strip matches the signature on the sales slip then they are not 'required' to check ID.

HINT..... Instead of signing the back of my credit cards I write "CHECK PHOTO ID" there. Then the store MUST check my ID, and I know some low-life isn't using my cards if they lift my wallet.

Richard
2008-01-21 21:06:30
foxhound:  Your freind is wrong. Signed or not a store can ask for ID. This is completely legal. Now some stores don't bother but more and more do. You can't be sued for asking.

And another is correct. For your own cards write "see ID" on the back.
2008-01-22 07:28:47