For some reason, we are (literally) getting one angry letter a day about the United States Post Office refusing to accept unsigned credit cards.
If you are one of those people who refuses to sign your credit card, be aware that it is invalid and merchants can and will refuse to accept it.
Unless your name is “Check ID,” that’s not a valid signature. End of story. Sorry.
Here’s Mastercard’s policy:
If the card is not signed, the card acceptor must:
obtain an authorization from the issuer, and ask the cardholder to provide identification (but not record the cardholder identification information), and require the cardholder to sign the card.
The card acceptor must not complete the transaction if the cardholder refuses
to sign the card.
Here’s Visa’s policy:
If the card has a “See ID” in place of a signature…
Request a signature. Ask the cardholder to sign the card and provide current government identification, such as a driver’s license or passport (if local law permits).
Check the signature. Be sure that the signature on the card matches the one on the transaction receipt and the additional identification.
If the signatures appear reasonably the same and the authorization request is approved, go ahead and complete the transaction.
So, feel free to write “See ID” on your cards, but you do need to sign them.
Dealing With Unsigned Cards [Visa]
Merchant Manual [Mastercard]
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@tiburon: That’s strange. When I worked at Best Buy, sometimes as a cashier, we were allowed to check IDs. I remember one fellow had a female looking name and I asked for an ID. The fellow got all bent out of shape (he probably gets asked all the time) and I had to get a manager over. The manager said that we had the right to ask for an ID. After several minutes of arguing (and the line backing up) he finally showed his ID. Whenever I saw “check ID”, I asked for the ID. Oh, and I did have one time the card wasn’t signed and told the person it was invalid unless signed. There was an argument there too (I think they were trying to accomplish the same thing as “check ID”), but they eventually signed the ID, and went on their merry way.
I worked at Target awhile back, and we were told not to check signatures at all because it would slow down the lines, and the customers complained whenever the lines were slow. So they’lll give up security to get out of there 30 seconds sooner….
@nickripley: The rules may be the rules, but those fees are there because its effin’ expensive to accept credit cards. What ends up happening is that the prices get raised for everybody, including cash customers.
If I were in charge of government, I would explicitly forbid these contractual agreements between the banks and the stores. Stores could be free to charge more for the convenience of plastic while cash customers are not penalized.
@Shadowfire: Have you ever been involved in these situations from the merchant’s point of view? I’m guessing not.
They request the merchant to show proof of the receipt that the card user signed the receipt. If the merchant cannot show this, the credit card company does not give them the amount.
As for signing the back of the card, all it takes is for you to say one short sentence to the cc company and the merchant is likely to be penalized just on your word.
The whole “See ID” fad is ridiculous. Smugly “reminding” a cashier to check for ID will do nothing to endear you to the cashier or the store.
Credit cards are a convenience not a necessity. When people confuse the two it always leads to trouble.
@mac-phisto: Truer words…
Hey, don’t give out bad advice! You should still write check id on your cards. The only problem I’ve had with this is at the PO where they wouldn’t take it. Since I had to use the card, I went ahead and signed it that once and then had a new card issued.
As a retailer, I ALWAYS checked ID. Whether they wrote Check ID on their card or not. I was also about the only person who actually stopped any fake or stolen credit cards in the store when I worked there.
Here’s a very funny story of someone who tried all kinds of signatures to see where the breaking point would be. He even took pictures of his signature and clerks still did not look at it. [www.zug.com]
@DimitroffVodka: The right to privacy. If a signed card is stolen, then the thief not only has my card, he has my signature as well, which makes it very easy to forge. Duh.
not signing the card?!? But credit cards are so safe!
@jeremyduffy: Its not bad advice. Its called following the official polices. Blame Visa/MC if you dont like it.
My only complaint on this issue: could they make the signature block a little bigger so that normal-sized people can sign without cramping?
@Darren666: Yes, merchants are charged a fee for credit card transactions. The problem with the “credit card minimum” and fees to use a card are that they are penalizing you for using credit. If the merchant can’t afford to pay the associated fees, they shouldn’t offer credit card service. If they are able to offer it to some, they need to offer it to everyone making a purchase, big or small. Also, merchants are allowed to mark everything up and offer discounts for cash purchases. That way they make up the extra money, and credit card users aren’t inconvenienced.
Unrelatedly, I used to sign my CC in Japanese (I got the card while living in Japan), and had no problems until I went to the post office. The postal worker said “I need your signature.” I pointed out that it was my signature, and she refused to let me make the transaction since I couldn’t fit my “real” signature on the card.
I hate the post office.
@schwnj: Your kidding. I don’t know where your friends are keeping their ID, but mines in my wallet next to my credit card. I bet it takes less time for me to show my ID than it would for you to pay with cash.
I sign my card but within two months it gets erased!
I sign my card but within 2 months it always gets erased!
I fail to see the point of checking the ID if “Check ID” is the ONLY thing on the back of the card. The card is invalid anyway. If the teller is going to run a card that nobody should be using why should they care about ID?
Also, merchants are allowed to mark everything up and offer discounts for cash purchases. That way they make up the extra money, and credit card users aren’t inconvenienced.
@danisaikou: I fail to see the difference. Either way the credit card users are paying more money.
if you are going to put “see i.d.” as the sig on your card, be sure that when you use the card you hand over your i.d. at the same time. it’s really irritating to me that people don’t sign it, then act surprised and have to fiddle through their wallet to pull out i.d.! wasting my time here people!
I write “CHECK ID” in silver Sharpie and then sign my signature over it in black, fine-tipped Sharpie. And I use a front-pocket wallet with a clear driver’s license holder, so my ID is already there when I take my card out.
That having been said, no one has asked me to see an ID in about two years because I always use self-checkout.
@kingoman:
The exact same thing happened to me at the post office. I was forced to sign the card in front of the clerk and then she checked the signature on the card with my signature on the receipt. I think I could see her brain leaking out of her ears.
THANK YOU! for continuing to report on the acceptance of credit cards. Ive actually had merchants look in the visa merchant handbook, right in front of me as i explain to them how they are not allowed to ask for ID. Nod. then demand my drivers licence.
Why doesnt visa care more about this?
This happened to me at the Post office a couple weeks ago. I was annoyed that only now after YEARS of accepting my unsigned card as payment in which they can simply ask to see my STATE GOVERNMENT ISSUED IDENTIFICATION for verification, they instead choose to get all bitchy and say they cannot accept it.
Well, sorry USPS, theres other businesses in town that aren’t as retarded as you are. I walked across the street and shipped the package UPS, who laughed at the stupidity of the Post Office when I told them what had happened.
Point being: People DO NOT WANT to have their signature on a form of currency that people can possibly steal, have a perfect way to practice forging your signature, or not require any other form of ID when making a payment.
@schwnj:
I could really give a shit about making “people like you” wait.
Nobody’s that important or busy that they can’t wait another 30 seconds for someone to dig out their ID.
I don’t sign or put anything on the back of my cards and the only place to ask for ID has been USPS. They accepted the card and it’s still not signed.
The credit card prank:
[www.zug.com]
just a quick question…do all you folks that are concerned about forgers carry your credit card(s) in the same wallet as your photo ID? couldn’t a forger just SEE ID to find your signature & forge it?
perhaps we should be arguing the merits of having our signature on gov’t-issued ID instead…
@tinkyXIII: You should have had your credit card processing privileges revoked. You cannot require ID.
If america used Chip and Pin this problem would be averted. Credit Card fraudsters are leaving the EU (which has CC fraud down) and using the US to commit fraud (fraud is up in the US).
I have had “Check ID” on my CCs for 6 years now? The times I have been asked to show ID? Maybe 5 times.
@Froggmann: because they don’t have to.
@Rectilinear Propagation: marking up credit card purchases is now illegal in most states.
Well I my bank and Visa/MC need to get on the same page.
[lifehacker.com]
When I worked retail and I’d get those “See ID” cards, at least 7 out of 10 times the person would get openly hostile over my asking for the ID, usually saying something like, “Why do you need to see it?!?”. I’d then calmly show them where *they* had put “See ID”. Most of the time they’d apologize and say that nobody ever asked them for the ID so they’d forgotten it was on there. Um…maybe people don’t ask *because* they so often get screamed at for doing what you requested? Just a thought.
These ID showing people really need to move to China where they can show their receipt (voluntarily, I am sure) for their lead-toys.
If you DO refuse to sign your card, please call your issuer and tell them so. That will help protect those of use that choose to use our cards correctly.
@nickripley: I completely agree. I was at Macy’s the other day, which is a bad customer service experience in itself, and I was asked for photo ID when I used my credit card. When I pointed out that asking for ID violated credit card merchant agreements she pointed to a a sign that was on the checkout desk that stated that it was Macy’s policy to ask for ID.
How does Macy’s so blantantly break their merchant agreement rules by having printed notices? I understand it somewhat when it’s a small mom and pop type store, but how does a huge company get away with breaking the merchant agreement?
@nickripley: Your criticism seems contradictory. People who aren’t following the rules of the big corporations in an effort (misguided or not) to protect themselves from fraudulent activity by writing SEE ID on their cards may also be the same “rule-breakers” who would refuse to show their receipts. You’re criticizing people for not following the rules and then suggesting that they’re the type that blindly follow the rules. The two aren’t even related because there are examples of people who do one but not the other and people who do both and people who do neither. That’s like saying people who report the license plates of HOV lane abusers are also probably racists.
forget using the postal service then. i will not sign my cards. ever. how disappointing that they are requiring me to be more susceptible to id theft just to use the card.
To all who say the card isn’t valid if you don’t sign. That’s incorrect. I’m fairly sure if you’ve been using a card for years without a signature then you have ample evidence to prove that the card is quite valid.
Kind of like a storm with winds of 73 MPH is technically not a hurricane but if it blows your roof off then you’ll get a punch in the snoot for arguing semantics.
I’ve NEVER had anyone turn one of my cards away. I don’t sign them. I’ve been asked for ID maybe 4 times. Now, that’s not to say that there isn’t something written in the signature panel. But I don’t sign them.
Now, its interesting to note that the Mastercard instructions don’t specify WHAT TO DO WITH THE ID if you are having the cardholder sign the card in front of you. Does the name have to match the name on the card? Or the signature? Or does the signature on the card have to match the signature on the ID?
@mechanismatic: That’s like saying people who report the license plates of HOV lane abusers are also probably racists.
And how they are!! No, just kidding. I understand your POV on that. To clarify, I am looking at this from the perspective that:
To me, showing ID when making a purchase, unless it’s for liquor or payment by check, is similar to the receipt check. I would NOT want this to get to a point where you HAVE to show ID to use a credit card.
I don’t sign mine, nor will I. Right now I usually frequent places that have the “Swipe it yourself” things. I rarely EVER hand my card over and no one ever checks my I.D. I don’t sign.
Hmm. What about carrying a dry-erase marker and signing it every time they ask?
@testsicles: no, you’re wrong. lets see what visa’s take is on the matter (from “rules for visa’s merchants”, page 29 – [usa.visa.com]):
“An unsigned card is considered invalid and should not be accepted.”
you can read on about what a merchant is supposed to do when faced with an unsigned card or a SEE ID card. the simple fact is that an unsigned card is considered an invalid form of payment. whether or not you’ve had success using it in the past is irrelevant. a merchant is entirely within their rights under their merchant agreement with visa (& other networks) to refuse your card if you refuse to sign it.
@nickripley: I agree about not wanting it to get to the point where you are required to show ID when using a credit card, but these people who write SEE ID on their cards are the ones who are inviting the identity verification. They’re not likewise inviting store clerks to check their receipts to make sure they paid for their items.
The SEE ID is intended for consumer protection, something the concept of which we can all support. The receipt check is intended for corporate profit protection, something many of us could care less about.
@schwnj:
Good insight, but speed and convenience is not the only point of credit cards.
I sign all my credit cards with “This is a stickup. I have a bomb”.
Life is too short to not have a little mature fun once in awhile.
@mac-phisto: You have to sign your ID once in your life, when you get it originally. (or if you change your name, then as well of course) They carry the old signature to the new cards. My signature at 16 looks a HELL of a lot different than it does now. If someone signed my name that way, I’d have no difficulty saying it was not me. Am I supposed to update my Gov’t ID each time my handwriting matures?
I have see photo ID on all my cards. Any of you who don’t like it can kiss my ass. I use my cards very little but any store that gave me any crap about this would certainly lose the sale right on the spot. The main reason for this is to protect myself from idiot clerks and I don’t care if I am not liable etc for unauthorized charge. Bottom line is if I like it that is all I need to consider. I would certainly not get into an argument with a store about this. I would ether just walk away or pay with a check etc but I would not hold up the line for all of you “life takes visa” dickwads.
I remember the guy checked my signature when i used my debit card once. And, no, I wasn’t using it as credit, I was using it as debit, with PIN and all. The best part was when he gave me a Vis-a-vis to sign it with. After he totalled my transaction and gave back my card, I licked it in front of him, wiped off the signature, smiled and told him to have a nice day.
I don’t understand not signing your card – if it is stolen and someone uses it fraudently, and the card is recovered ( and it often is) you may bery well be liable for the charges if your card is not validly signed. It helps to understand the concept that a credit card is not yours, it belongs to the credit card company, and you use it at their pleasure and your signature shows that you agree to the contract.
Merchants who insist on seeing supplemental ID are violating the terms of their contract with the CC company.
These things are like an urban legend.
I just returned from the post office and tried to use my master card and I was shocked to have them tell me that I had to sign my card. Well this was the first time I have ever be told that my card had to be signed. I had a military ID and a drivers license but was told that wasn’t good enough. This does not make sense because my signature is not as good as a picture in my opinon.
I took a customer who did not have a signed card. I asked for their ID which it was the card holder’s ID and it was also the card holder. A couple days later, a Credit Card company calls me telling me that particular person did not make a purchase at my store … the person ended up ripping me off by calling the company