Yes, it does say that if the card is "NOT" signed, then they must ask for identification. But this is the rest of the process according to the Mastercard Merchant agreement.
804.2.1 Unsigned Cards
If a card is presented to a Merchant and is not signed, the merchant must:
1. Obtain an authorization from the issuer,
2. Ask the Cardholder to provide identification (but not record the Carholder Identification Information) and,
3. Require the Cardholder to sign the card.
The Merchant must NOT complete the transaction if the cardholder refuses to sign the card.
To me, this is pretty cut and dry as to why people sign the back of their cards.
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@Swapmeet wrote:
@Platinum wrote:
@dbutz1109 wrote:@Shogun...
Great points you've made! I am wondering though...wouldn't it be smarter for all CC use to be approached with the show ID method? I mean, if I sign the back of my card, it does open the door to having my signature copied by someone who steals my card and identity. If I have to show my ID every time, it allows for them to match my name to the card, as well as to verify the picture on your ID to the person's face using the card.
dbutz1109,
Question. Why or do you think that the ID can't be falsified ? Using ID only is not 100% safe either. Right ?
Nothing is 100% safe. The safest method is probably what they do in Europe: Chip and PIN. Can we implement it here in US, probably yes with some difficulties. Americans typically carry more CC's then Europeans. Can you imagine us to remember 20 PIN's ? Having one same PIN for all the cards is not safe either. So nothing is 100% safe.
not having any cards=safest way to protect against credit fraud...lol I am not willing to go to that extreme though....
That is true. By not having any card is the safest way to protect against fraud. But then again fraud is not our problem. It's the CC issuer's problem. We are protected against fraudulent use of the card. So I don't see what is the issue here, except for the waiting time until new card arrives.
@Shogun wrote:Yes, it does say that if the card is "NOT" signed, then they must ask for identification. But this is the rest of the process according to the Mastercard Merchant agreement.
804.2.1 Unsigned Cards
If a card is presented to a Merchant and is not signed, the merchant must:
1. Obtain an authorization from the issuer,
2. Ask the Cardholder to provide identification (but not record the Carholder Identification Information) and,
3. Require the Cardholder to sign the card.
The Merchant must NOT complete the transaction if the cardholder refuses to sign the card.
To me, this is pretty cut and dry as to why people sign the back of their cards.
+1
Discover IT $17k / US Bank Ace (VSig) $13.5K / US Bank Cash+ (VSig) $13.5k
All we have to do as consumers is to abide by the credit card agreement and that is generally: sign the card, use it properly, report any unauthorized charges and you won't have any problem.
@Platinum wrote:
@Swapmeet wrote:
@Platinum wrote:
@dbutz1109 wrote:@Shogun...
Great points you've made! I am wondering though...wouldn't it be smarter for all CC use to be approached with the show ID method? I mean, if I sign the back of my card, it does open the door to having my signature copied by someone who steals my card and identity. If I have to show my ID every time, it allows for them to match my name to the card, as well as to verify the picture on your ID to the person's face using the card.
dbutz1109,
Question. Why or do you think that the ID can't be falsified ? Using ID only is not 100% safe either. Right ?
Nothing is 100% safe. The safest method is probably what they do in Europe: Chip and PIN. Can we implement it here in US, probably yes with some difficulties. Americans typically carry more CC's then Europeans. Can you imagine us to remember 20 PIN's ? Having one same PIN for all the cards is not safe either. So nothing is 100% safe.
not having any cards=safest way to protect against credit fraud...lol I am not willing to go to that extreme though....
That is true. By not having any card is the safest way to protect against fraud. But then again fraud is not our problem. It's the CC issuer's problem. We are protected against fraudulent use of the card. So I don't see what is the issue here, except for the waiting time until new card arrives.
By following the terms of the agreement you signed your protected? That was a contract you agreed to.
