What really blows my mind about this ever-intensifying discussion, is that I have never signed the back of a credit card (or written anything there either) and yet never in my life has anyone I used the card with batted an eye. I can only recall one instance where a merchant even looked at the back of the card, and even though it wasn’t signed he didn’t say anything.
Granted, I have only been using credit for about 4 years (saying never in my life sounds nice and dramatic), but I use my cards everywhere. I never use cash unless I have to. That means 4 years of supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, department stores, auto mechanics, electronic stores, restaurants, spas, etc. ad infinitum. And nobody. Has. Ever. Mentioned. It. Once.
Thai merchants are getting very good about training their staff to inspect the signature. Before, no one cared. Nowadays many places won’t give me back the card until they’ve compared the signature I just signed on the charge with what’s on the back of my card, even if it’s just buying a new Skytrain pass.
The semi-insane guy at zug[dot]com did several experiments, including signing receipts with an “X”, stick figures, and even the word “STOLEN”, and still was able to complete transactions without a hitch.
What really blows my mind is why people do something that may be in violation of their customer agreement in order to protect themselves from a maximum exposure of $50 (and even that is usually not enforced). My Visa customer agreement says that I must sign the card. If I do not, I would be in violation of the customer agreement and there is presumably a risk that the credit card company will refuse to pick up the tab for fraudulent use. It seems to me that people who do not sign their card or put “See ID” (only) are doing exactly the opposite of what they intend - they are increasing their risk exposure.
But this doesn’t answer my question - why is everyone making such a big deal of this when nobody ever checks it? I’ve worked several retail jobs myself where I took credit card payments all day, and I never had a manager/supervisor even mention looking at the backs of cards, or IDs, or anything.
Everyone isn’t making a big deal of it. In my experience of several countries the US is unusual in that you can often get away without signing. However, it is increasingly common in the US for retailers both to check for signature and check ID. My company develops credit/debit software and we have certainly seen a tightening of security over the last few years.
As long as one bothers to notify the CC!! I heard a nice lady who called one of the syndicated radio shows (Bruce Williams) - “Well it’s been about three months.”
Much hilarity ensues. Really, I check my balances at least weekly, often much more. I think the CC require they be notified of fraud or evidence of fraud within 30 days.
Now can I use my card if I refuse to show ID? Apparently that is expressly forbidden for some reason.
I bought lunch for the family at a Potbelly’s yesterday. The clerk swiped my card and simply handed me a receipt, saying he didn’t need a sig. I’ve occasionally had this happen in the past. Always kinda disturbs me. Yesterday I made some crack to my kid about that stolen cc not having been reported yet.
There are certain categories of credit card transactions which the companies allow to occur without the usual required signature being captured. Usually, dollar limits are involved, and the merchant has to fall into a category that deals with customers expecting quick transactions (e.g. McDonalds).
Online transactions have other fraud prevention methods. First of all, they require that you have a bunch of information (easily obtained, of course, if you’ve stolen the purse/wallet of the person), and second, they often require that you have the card itself, for the 3 digit security code on the back.
There is very little concern with stolen credit cards themselves, because the assumption is that, if your card is stolen, you’ll figure it out and report it before much damage is done. Fraudulent use of your NUMBER, on the other hand, is much more of a concern. :eek:
I currently do not have a bank account or any credit cards. My girlfriend is very nice and pretty much lets me use her ATM card all the time, she has an unmistakable female name. I sign with my signature and to this day, after months of using her card, I have yet to have a single person actually even mention it.
Well, not strictly true. I put in an order for some motorcycle parts, paid in advance with her card, when I went to pick them up the guy called me by her name!
i’d rather just sign my credit card. i keep it in my wallet along with my license and ID’s so whoever steals will end up seeing my signature anyways. just makes life easier rather than presenting your credit card and ID whenever you eat out or shop or what…
This may be an urban vs. rural thing. In the big city, where everybody’s in a rush and there are lines at the registers, nobody bothers. Out here in the country, where you may be the only one at the register and you’re probably chatting anyway, we take the extra half a second to glance at the signatures.
I check every single card that’s presented to me (unless I know the person), and ask for ID on every card that’s not signed. I also require my employees to do so. In 5-1/2 years of doing this, I’ve been thanked many times, and nobody has ever complained about it.