Two Together question

[Bletchleyite]

I don't think I've signed any of my bank cards since chip & PIN came in...

It'd be a good idea if you did (or at least wrote on it "PLEASE ASK FOR ID" as some Americans do) otherwise someone could steal it and use it in a signature transaction in a country where those still work.

 

[transmanche]

otherwise someone could steal it and use it in a signature transaction in a country where those still work.

And the chances of that happening are infinitesimally small...

 

[Bletchleyite]

And the chances of that happening are infinitesimally small...

10 seconds with a biro and you make them zero...

 

[transmanche]

10 seconds with a biro and you make them zero...

After having acquired the card from me. And then (as you said) you have to transport the card to a country where signature transactions still work. All before I report it stolen...

 

[LexyBoy]

To build upon what bunnahabhain above me has just said, the signature is nothing about identifying the user; its purpose is to indicate acceptance of the railcard's terms.

Ah, well that sort of makes sense (although is it true? surely that's why you sign the application form?). Just saying "it's in the T&Cs!" may be true but doesn't justify calling it "misuse" which is how I interpreted father_jack's comment.

I'm still in the dark as to what the referenced misuse is, when a Two Together Railcard has an accompanying photocard. "Misplacing" the photocard perhaps?

Never really understood why Senior Railcards don't have a photocard. BTW my Railcards don't get signed unless I'm reminded at point of purchase. My Gold Card doesn't even have a space for a signature...

 

[island]

It'd be a good idea if you did (or at least wrote on it "PLEASE ASK FOR ID" as some Americans do) otherwise someone could steal it and use it in a signature transaction in a country where those still work.

Retailers should not accept unsigned credit or debit cards (and "check ID" etc. is unsigned as far as this is concerned).

How exactly this is supposed to work with the usual positioning of pinpads is left as an exercise for the reader.

 

[Be3G]

Ah, well that sort of makes sense (although is it true? surely that's why you sign the application form?).

I don't know if they still do, but 16–25 Railcards used to say something like ‘sign here to agree to the conditions of use’ underneath the signature line on the railcard, so it's definitely true! As for the point of doing so, I'm now just guessing but I assume it's to demonstrate to railway staff that you understand your responsibilities and what the railcard is/isn't valid for – like a self-scribed ‘restrictions advised’ stamp, you could say.

 

[swt_passenger]

Two examples, my Network Card has "Railcard not valid unless signed. I agree to the conditions of issue" above the signature space.

Slightly differently, my brand new Senior Card just has the words "I agree to the conditions of issue" under the signature strip.

The key feature the latter card doesn't actually mention is that I can't legally use it yet. (I'm still within the fortnight allowed for online ordering...) What does the team think?

 

[island]

I think we should be arranging you a nice forum birthday party

 

[DeeGee]

Retailers should not accept unsigned credit or debit cards (and "check ID" etc. is unsigned as far as this is concerned).

How exactly this is supposed to work with the usual positioning of pinpads is left as an exercise for the reader.

I was told by a cashier at my local leisure centre that they aren't actually allowed to touch my card - I put it in the reader, follow the instructions, remove it. How they'd check for a signature is anyone's guess.

They're even less likely to touch it now I try to use contactless whenever possible - there's a huge possibility for issues there if cashiers are going round tapping cards on a reader.