:Alert: A man stole a wallet within Safeway

Also, people are having their wallets and purses stolen out of the cars at soccer, football games thoughout the area. I know I don't take my wallet with me when I coach, so I have to put it "away" in the van before I get to the parking lot.

 

I've often seen women leave their purses in the cart...and I've even said something to them, one woman thought I was crazy. I NEVER NEVER put my purse in the cart....It's always on my shoulder with the front of it right by me...so no one can even grab it. I must admit tho, I'm pretty obessive with my purse.....and either don't take it with me at all if I don't think I need it or always hang on to it for dear life.

 

You are correct... for once

http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/rules_for_visa_merchants.pdf

See page 31

Visa also states that "See ID" invalidates the card.

Here is a link to MC if you are interested in further reading:
http://www.mastercard.com/us/wce/PDF/MERC-Entire_Manual.pdf

 

I proudly confess that I have Check ID on all my credit cards. I have never had anyone question the practice, although I do remember from my own Merchant Account days that it is wrong.

Unfortunately I also experience a lot of merchants who don't bother to ask, so even if I did sign the card I doubt they would even check it.

I am very suspicious though on why the credit card companies would not encourage the merchants to check the ID.

Checking the ID of the person using the card seems to be a win-win situtation for everyone. I wonder why the credit card companies are so much against it?

 

CC companies do want the merchant to check ID. The CC is invalidated if you write "See ID" on the face of the card, however.

The signature on the card must match the signature on the sales slip. The Visa rules, posted above in PDF, are pretty clear with the steps that a merchant must take. Interestingly, a merchant can accept a card without signature, but the merchant would be held liable for the fraudulent charge, not Visa.

 

The Guess store had this policy in place years before it was a necessity. Sometimes I think the stores do not want to "inconvenience" their customers but anyone who pays with a CC should insist the store implement this policy.

And, if you use a CC scanner and the merchant hands you a receipt to sign for the purchase then, technically, they are required to ask for ID to compare identity and signature, but they seldom do.

 

Personally, I hate being asked to show my ID. You have my credit card, my signature, and an approval from the credit card company. My ID has way more information than some teeny-bopper cashier needs to know about me. It's just more information that, in the wrong hands, could be used to commit identity theft.

I will certainly never insist that a store ask me for ID, in fact I always make some remark about how ridiculous it is when they do ask for ID. (I realize there are some places where it is just unavoidable. You can't buy anything in Las Vegas without being asked for ID, for example.) Asking for ID is a way to protect the merchant -- it doesn't protect the consumer in any way.

 

By the way I'm not talking about if your card is not signed. My credit card is signed, and in fact I sign in with a Sharpie so the signature doesn't wear off.

 

Although Visa rules do not preclude merchants from asking for cardholder ID, merchants cannot make an ID a condition of acceptance. Therefore, merchants cannot refuse to complete a purchase transaction because a cardholder refuses to provide ID. Visa believes merchants should not ask for ID as part of their regular card acceptance procedures.

As for MasterCard:

A merchant must not refuse to complete a MasterCard card transaction solely because a cardholder who has complied with the conditions for presentment of a card at the POI [point of interaction] refuses to provide additional identification information, except as specifically permitted or required by the Standards. A merchant may require additional identification from the cardholder if the information is required to complete the transaction, such as for shipping purposes. American Express and Discover have similar practices.

There are, however, some exceptions… For example, they can ask to see an ID if your card isn’t signed. And if you’re paying remotely, like over the phone or on the web, they can ask for identifying information such as your zip code (I’ve also seen on this on pay-at-the-pump transactions).

Of course, this doesn’t mean that all businesses follow the rules. If a merchant demands to see your identification, and then refuses you service if you fail to comply, your only real recourse contact the card company and provide them with the name of the business. Most card issuers will initiate an investigation and may even penalize the business for violating their merchant contract.

The bottom line: consumers should demand better controls be implemented and followed.

http://www.creditaddict.com/archives/can-merchantsrequire-an-id-for-credit-card-transactions/

 

With the exception of beer, cigarettes, and a few others.

 

Just to add some Consumer information for you to think about. What we have done with ALL OUR PERSONAL EFFECTS is to PHOTOCOPY ALL DEBIT/CREDIT CARDS, DRIVER LICENSES, AND OTHER IMPORTANT PERSONAL PIECES OF ID(S), PASSPORTS, ETC. and SECURELY PLACED PHOTOCOPIES in our SAFE DEPOSIT BOX at our banks and/or financial institutions. Also, you should have a CURRENT list of any Account Numbers of your ID(s), Accounts (Bank and other Financial Info), Account Numbers of ALL Creditors, House Lenders, Mortgage & Insurance Information--for your homes, land--in our case our farm and home--cars, life insurance, etc.-- Account Numbers of Utility Companies, Copies of Warranties on Home Improvements, Appliances, Cars, etc. for large purchases, Estate Plans/Wills, Car Titles, Business Records, Deeds for Property, and other Personal Financial papers/records, and even Tax Records.

Also, be sure to UPDATE your list periodically and DELETE information that is no longer pertinent to your situation. This is a great way to secure your personal paperwork, etc. in case of an emergency, death, fraud, or heaven forbid--a house fire. For tax records, check with your accountant/CPA for length of time for that you need to keep your bank records, etc. Also, we have a backed-up copy of our personal information on a CD in our Safe Deposit Box.

Hope this helps people think about personal safety also. I agree people who leave wallets and/or purses in their vehicles, out for people to snatch, etc. is asking for trouble.

Have a good week--

Foodie

 

doesnt safeway have cameras? i know you said cvs has him on film. but what about parking lot cameras watching him go to his vehicle

 

This is usually the case for me when shopping. I could be using anyone's card and as long as it clears the cashier would never know.

I see women all the time leave their purse in a shopping cart - you'd think they'd know that isn't a good idea, especially when they wander off to get something off a shelf. I don't think they think a thing about it and if I would say something they'd probably think I was weird and somehow threatening or insulting them. If the purse is too heavy to carry, don't bring it.

I guess I'm not saying anything new here but it bears repeating. :rolleyes3:

 

we should all carry around little business card slips of paper that say "i could have stolen your purse- SMARTEN UP CHICKIE." and leave them on unattended purses at the store... lol

 

LOL! love it! And it could go sooo beyond that!

 

Yes. The Officer has followed up with us. They have his picture and his car but were unable to ID the plate. He isn't ready to show us his picture yet, and said he might have my wife look at a line-up. That was earlier this week, no new news.

If he's the guy they are looking for, lets put the Wanted posters up on every store window and telephone pole just above the yard sale today signs.