Credit cards and Debit cards question

[Dingleberry]

Just checked my wallet: my debit card and both of my personal credit cards say "Not valid unless signed" right on them.

 

[Buttercup]

Tell that to the U.S. Postal Service...they often refuse charges from unsigned cards. The truth is, they are under no obligation to accept a charge from unsigned cards, no matter what forms of ID you have available.

Actually, I think any place can refuse any credit card for any reason at any time. Unlike greenbacks, they are not "Legal Tender for all Debts, Public & Private" and backed by the full faith and credit of the US government.

Of course, if they say "not valid unless signed" on the back like mine do, then I would guess you can't be held liable for the charge, nor can the bank, if they aren't signed and if someone wanted to press the issue.

 

[Wilphe]

This would appear to be a cultural issue, as I work in a casino in the UK and we will not take a card unless it has been signed. However, a lot of arabs or Americans have a habit of not signing their cards, and then getting mildly upset when we won't touch it or ask them to sign it.

I've never really understood why you would not sign a card.

 

[Blood Jester]

This would appear to be a cultural issue, as I work in a casino in the UK and we will not take a card unless it has been signed. However, a lot of arabs or Americans have a habit of not signing their cards, and then getting mildly upset when we won't touch it or ask them to sign it.

I've never really understood why you would not sign a card.

It's simple, really. Forging my (or any) signature is easy, and a pointless form of 'security'. Forging a State issued drivers license (from most States) is so difficult as to deter all but the most sophisticated, dedicated con artist.

And having left behind ten years of my life in retail (most of those as a manager) I've seen lots of cons.

Mark mine 'PLEASE CHECK ID'.

 

[Glyfair]

Well first off all if you had your id and everything matched then she was wrong. You don't HAVE to sign the card. What I do is write CHECK ID in the signature field of the card. If you leave the card blank then anybody who found/stole the card could sign your name and the signature would match when they went to use it.

I know the Post Office won't accept credit cards that aren't signed. They also won't accept it if you try to sign it there.

My brother works in the credit card industry and he's told me they don't want you to put "Check ID" on the back of card. I admit, I don't know what the reason is, but most likely because it's easier to get a hold of a fake ID (most college kids have access to them) than a fake credit card.

Glyfair of Glamis

 

[Ravellion]

Is the US moving to PIN code Debit Cards like used all over Europe and soon in the UK too?

I still sign my card, but I never have to show it, or give it to a clerk for that matter. After three failed attempts at using the pin code in a shop, the card blocks as well.

Rav

 

[Mark Chance]

Is the US moving to PIN code Debit Cards like used all over Europe and soon in the UK too?

Unless PIN codes mean something different in Europe than over here in Texas, the move was made years ago. IIRC, I've had a PIN code protected debit card for something like 18 years.

 

[Wilphe]

Expecting that people will have proper ID however, only works if you are in a society where it is expected that people will carry photo ID. This might be true on the continent and in the US, but in the UK its very rare, though it is going that way.

I can easily accept that a signiture is not a brilliant means of ensuring someones identity, but not signing your card on that basis just seems perverse. Writing in "Check ID" I can see the point off, though if you brought any of my collueges a card with that written on the signiture strip you would looked at like some sort of idiot and directed to the nearest ATM because we would not touch it. However, if the only people who check what the signature strip says are gaming store clerks, its not a brilliant security precaution anyway.

 

[Drawmack]

Actually the UK is testing a cardless system now where you use your thumb print. I like that idea, a lot.

However as long as it's cards mine will say check ID and if someone won't sell to me without a signature then they loose the sale, it's not my problem.

 

[Drkfathr1]

I sign mine, but my debit card is so worn that my sig is nearly rubbed off. Most stores now use the little machine that lets you swipe it yourself, so the clerks never even see my card. Those few that do rarely look at the back of it. Some occasionally do and ask for ID.

Unfortunately, merchants do reserve the right not to accept a credit/debit card if its not signed, regardless of your ID. Just one of the inconveniences of not using CASH. Which is still the simplest and safest method.