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Merchants are Not Required to Ask for the Cardholder’s Identification
Despite what you may have been lead to believe, you do not need identification to make a credit card purchase. In fact, stores that accept credit cards including Visa and MasterCard have made an agreement with the credit card companies that states an ID is not required for you to make a purchase. Stores have other ways of preventing credit card fraud.
The Fine Line
A retailer may ask to see your ID. It may even say that it’s the store policy to make such a request. Consider it a courtesy request and nothing more. Its agreement with credit card companies does not state they cannot make this request. However, if you cannot produce an ID, this does not cancel the sale. Even if you do not have an ID with you, or do not feel like showing it, the retailer is still obligated to process the sale.
The cashier is forbidden from saying no to the sale as long as your card is signed, your account is in good standing, and the purchase will not send your balance over your current credit card limit.
The retailer is not allowed to write down any of your information on its receipts — this is prevented by state laws.
Exceptions
Keep in mind that if you’re purchasing alcohol, tobacco or certain medicines, your ID may be required to make the purchase, regardless of payment by cash, credit card or check.
Obvious exceptions to the rule would include any purchase made where the retailer cannot see your credit card and signature. When you’re paying online or on the phone, you may need to provide some identifying information such as a ZIP code, since the retailer cannot see your signature.
ZIP code verification also might be required at the gas station when you pay at the pump. If you are a student away from home, keep in mind that you need to use your billing ZIP code if it’s different than your current residential address.
Why Sign Your Card?
You do need to sign your student credit cards. The cashier can, and should, look at for your credit card signature on your credit card — that is enough to validate the sale. If your card is not signed, they will ask for your ID. This is how they prevent credit card fraud. Save time and confusion and sign all of your credit cards before going clubbing or shopping.
