To Sign or Not to Sign Card

[Thomas_Thumb]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Do all of you sign your card? All my cards have "SEE ID" where the signature goes. Never have any problems. In fact I purposely hand them the card backside up and most never even ask me for my ID. They just swipe it and say thank you.

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I sign my cards but a couple people I know print "ask for picture ID" in the signature area. They think that provides added protection. Not sure I agree as only 20% look at the card anyway. Nonetheless, they feel CCs are better protected. Either signing or putting statement in signature box should be ok. Key point is not to leave the signature area blank.

For the most part the whole signature thing is a mild deterrent, at best, to unauthorized card use.  The real fraud protection comes from notification and deactivation. It is a good idea to have a listing of cards with phone #s readily available in the event of theft so issuers can be contacted quickly.

[Anonymous]

I don't see the purpose of signing it. Your name is on the front, after all, and surely much more legible than any signature could be. And with the high-tech world we live in today, I hardly ever hand anyone my card. I'm either going to the self-scan to check out or shopping online.

I do sign my cards though, but that's just because I like my siggy

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Two of my three credit cards say "Not Valid Unless Signed"

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That still means JS because most merchants dont even look at the back

[Anonymous]

True.  Just stating facts, not that i care if it's signed or not either.  But your card could be exploited if you lose the card and someone else signs and uses it.

[eddie84]

I always sign mine.  It's just an old habit I suppose. 

[thom02099]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I don't see the purpose of signing it. Your name is on the front, after all, and surely much more legible than any signature could be. And with the high-tech world we live in today, I hardly ever hand anyone my card. I'm either going to the self-scan to check out or shopping online.

I do sign my cards though, but that's just because I like my siggy

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The purpose is to comply with the T&C from the card issuer.  It is, of course, your choice whether to comply. 

[Anonymous]

I don't like signing mine because it gets smudged. Any idea on stuff I can do to make that less likely, or at least make it stay legible for longer?