Last 4 of SSN requested for Ipod purchase

[gary4872]

I was with a friend yesterday who was attempting to purchase an Ipod. The Macy's at our nearby mall has an Ipod vending machine. You pick what you want, and pay for it right there. He made his selection, swiped his CC, then billing zip code and then it asked for the last 4 of his SSN. He and I both thought that was outrageous, he put 1234 and the purchase didn't go through. It then said "For your protection you cannot make another purchase attempt with this card for 24 hours." We walked out and they lost the sale.

[Anonymous]

Crazy, but it sounds like they were trying to verify the card is his. Usually this info is asked when calling the credit card companies directly about your account for verification purposes. What's next, your mother's maiden name??

[Anonymous]

That's a bit too much information just to complete a CC transaction, if you ask me.  I would have walked out, as well.

[Anonymous]

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cheddar wrote:

That's a bit too much information just to complete a CC transaction, if you ask me.  I would have walked out, as well.

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Ditto. That's pretty frightening. Why couldn't they just use the CVV code on the card and then billing zip code?  Strange.

Message Edited by UpUpUp on 06-24-2008 02:45 PM

[Creditaddict]

It may be scary to know how much information they have, but the fact is they already had the info, so what good is it going to do to not verify it and get your purchase!

[Anonymous]

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Creditaddict wrote:

It may be scary to know how much information they have, but the fact is they already had the info, so what good is it going to do to not verify it and get your purchase!

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Yes, the CCC already has the info.  The merchant does not.

[Anonymous]

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cheddar wrote:

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Creditaddict wrote:

It may be scary to know how much information they have, but the fact is they already had the info, so what good is it going to do to not verify it and get your purchase!

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Yes, the CCC already has the info.  The merchant does not.

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True that the CCC has the information, but in my opinion using the social to verify a card is risky business and unnecessary. 

As for the merchant, I know my merchant account doesn't provide ANY information with the exception of the approval or decline. If a card is declined there is a code that tells you for what reason...whether it's a straight decline, address verification mismatch or CVV code mismatch, etc.  - but all the CC information is encrypted and not provided to the merchant.

[Watchmann]

I can't see the big deal.  With my ExxonMobil card I'm often asked to input my billing Zip Code to verify identity, depending on location of the station (usually in less than ideal areas).  Purchasing items that are notorious for being victims of fraud and theft (iPods, cell phones, online porn, etc) raise the suspicion of the CC companies in the same way.  I can see the extra layer of verification.  The last four digits of your SSN are not sacred and are in their database, it doesn't compromise your identity.  To me it is no different than showing your driver's license when making a purchase.  It's just a sign of the times with people overextended and fraud high on some items.  If we don't like it than pay in person at the counter.

[gary4872]

Part of the concern is also who keeps the information. Is it simply a matter of Amex verifying it at that point, or do Macy's and Apple then tack it into the customer record. There wasn't exactly a privacy policy posted

[Anonymous]

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Watchmann wrote:

To me it is no different than showing your driver's license when making a purchase.

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I refuse to do that, as well.  Visa and MC merchant agreements preclude merchants from requiring a DL to make a CC purchase.

I understand that the CCCs already have the last four of my SSN on file.  This is why I have no problem verfying the last four of my SSN when I call my CCC.  Macy's,however, doesn't have this information, and neither does Apple.  I would rather they didn't, so I'm not going to give it to them.