Unsigned Debit Cards

[Tibbs]

My American ex-girlfriend wrote 'SEE ID' in permanent marker on her signature strip (not sure if it's a US thing). Thought it was a good idea, so I started to do the same.

I carry my photo ID with me, so they can see it's me and check my name.

 

[talltim]

My signature strip is nearly worn off now anyway so pretty useless to store my signature on.

Ditto. After this thread I have signed it again anyway, using a CD pen!

 

[trentside]

My American ex-girlfriend wrote 'SEE ID' in permanent marker on her signature strip (not sure if it's a US thing). Thought it was a good idea, so I started to do the same.

I carry my photo ID with me, so they can see it's me and check my name.

I've come across quite a few people visiting from the US who have done this.

I have I feeling that card purchases over there sometimes require ID?

 

[Mojo]

I've come across quite a few people visiting from the US who have done this.

I have I feeling that card purchases over there sometimes require ID?

When I was on the West Coast last year every shop bar one seemed to ask me for ID but it seemed to depend on how much I spent. I didn't see many cashiers visually check the signature; they seemed to cross-reference the ID. I noticed some locals had their photograph printed onto their card, and those with this didn't get any ID checked. Those that didn't seemed to present their ID and card in the same transaction; I couldn't work out the criteria for being asked or not, so I always waited for the cashier to ask me.

 

[Deerfold]

When I was on the West Coast last year every shop bar one seemed to ask me for ID but it seemed to depend on how much I spent. I didn't see many cashiers visually check the signature; they seemed to cross-reference the ID. I noticed some locals had their photograph printed onto their card, and those with this didn't get any ID checked. Those that didn't seemed to present their ID and card in the same transaction; I couldn't work out the criteria for being asked or not, so I always waited for the cashier to ask me.

My wife used to have her photo on her UK credit card and was disappointed when her bank withdrew this feature - though of course if someone clones a card, they're not going to clone the photo.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....I noticed some locals had their photograph printed onto their card, and those with this didn't get any ID checked....

I saw this in Manchester a year or so back. The card wasn't signed so I ask for ID. The passenger asked me to look at the front of her card. "Very nice" I said, "have you any ID?".

 

[ASharpe]

I lived in the USA for a year and it is quite a common thing to be asked for ID with card purchases. No chip and pin and so it's very easy to use a stolen card (although some terminals ask for your zip code).

In many shops though though your signature won't even be checked however.

My Bank of America card had my photo printed on it - quite handy as most people got confused by my UK driving license.

 

[maniacmartin]

When I spent 6 weeks in New York I was never asked for ID.

 

[Marklund]

In many shops though though your signature won't even be checked however.

Very much what I found too. The card was often swiped, and returned before the signature on the electronic pad took place. :roll:

 

[DelayRepay]

On the back of my Natwest debit card, it says NOT VALID UNLESS SIGNED (above the signature strip). I assume that writing "See ID" does not count as a signature so by doing so you would be invalidating the card.

 

[reb0118]

........it says NOT VALID UNLESS SIGNED (above the signature strip). I assume that writing "See ID" does not count as a signature so by doing so you would be invalidating the card.

Correct, I don't even think it is valid to do this in the 'States either. I'm sure I read somewhere that asking for additional ID is contrary to the rules that the merchant has agreed to (to be fair I do not, personally, see the harm in asking nor being asked for ID in certain circumstances). That said if the merchant is going to refuse the sale I don't see what can be done.

 

[DelayRepay]

I'm sure I read somewhere that asking for additional ID is contrary to the rules that the merchant has agreed to (to be fair I do not, personally, see the harm in asking nor being asked for ID in certain circumstances). That said if the merchant is going to refuse the sale I don't see what can be done.

I've never heard of that - in the UK the merchant is allowed to ask for extra ID and if the purchase gets referred for telephone authorisation the bank may insist on it.

 

[b0b]

I'm sure I read somewhere that asking for additional ID is contrary to the rules that the merchant has agreed to

Here's some info on how its handled. Basically the matching signature is the ID proof required:

http://www.in.gov/dfi/2554.htm

That said if the merchant is going to refuse the sale I don't see what can be done.

In theory you can complain to Mastercard/Visa and the merchant could lose their ability to accept cards.

That being said, its pretty common to be asked for ID on a big ticket purchase in my experience of being living in the US in a decade - otherwise cashiers barely seem to care to even verify the signature.

 

[Deerfold]

Here's some info on how its handled. Basically the matching signature is the ID proof required:

http://www.in.gov/dfi/2554.htm

In theory you can complain to Mastercard/Visa and the merchant could lose their ability to accept cards.

That being said, its pretty common to be asked for ID on a big ticket purchase in my experience of being living in the US in a decade - otherwise cashiers barely seem to care to even verify the signature.

Are these rules universal or do they vary by country?

 

[island]

After reading this thread, I've just realised my debit card isn't signed

I have just received a new debit card from my bank and it now has the contactless system. If Chip and Pin was to reduce fraud the contactless system will surely increase the fraud as I enter no verification when using it!

Furthermore every now and then a 'security check' takes place whereby on trying to use contactless you are instead presented with the message "Bank security check: Use pin pad" and have to use your pin instead.

This may be random, or after X transactions or X value on contactless, I don't know.

It can be all of the above.

As well as that, the first transaction on a new card has to be chip & PIN before the contactless feature will be enabled.

Just out of interest why reject a card because it isn't signed in an age of contact less payment?

On the back of my Natwest debit card, it says NOT VALID UNLESS SIGNED (above the signature strip). I assume that writing "See ID" does not count as a signature so by doing so you would be invalidating the card.

This is entirely correct. Historically there was some legalese around signing the card being an acceptance of the conditions of use, and it being especially relevant when someone might have applied for a card online and never signed anything for the bank. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but unsigned debit and credit cards are not supposed to be accepted.

Correct, I don't even think it is valid to do this in the 'States either. I'm sure I read somewhere that asking for additional ID is contrary to the rules that the merchant has agreed to (to be fair I do not, personally, see the harm in asking nor being asked for ID in certain circumstances). That said if the merchant is going to refuse the sale I don't see what can be done.

You are right on all counts.

I've never heard of that - in the UK the merchant is allowed to ask for extra ID and if the purchase gets referred for telephone authorisation the bank may insist on it.

The merchant can in theory lose its right to accept cards if they ask for ID other than when told to by the acquirer or issuer. It is, however, not known to happen frequently.

Are these rules universal or do they vary by country?

Both, sort of. There is a general guidebook and at the end it says "if in country A, replace sections 2 and 3 with the below" etc.