Originally Posted by
dothemath
Is there a rational reason it wouldn't bother me? Paranoia? Apparently... in your head. I wouldn't mind if the employee just checked my ID, which is what happens in most of the cases you mentioned. I wish this is what they would do at CVS, but they don't just do that, they scan your ID, which means that it goes into their system. Yes, this happens in other cases as well, like when you book a flight, but if you feel this is the same as buying $500 gcs at a pharmacy store, then you're clearly the paranoid.
What needs to be guarded is your SSN, not your DL, which is indeed public record and is EVERYWHERE because it is a pseudo ID in ol' USA - but can the DL be faked and then used for some ID-theft related activities? Many years ago, yes. Now? The possibility is very low. Just because it is a pseudo ID, the DL cannot be used for many LEGAL matters and that is where SSN is for.
You may not be aware about this, but CVS, as many retailers, actually have a little device that has a lamp that can identify the DL produced is a real one or a fake one. Sometimes the device is put way on the side at the photo dept sometimes it is right below the counter - and this has been for YEARS, not just now. Precisely this is being treated as a pseudo ID.
Secondly, long gone were the days when just a DL could get you a liar loan. if that is one of the irrational reasons behind your paronia. These days everything serious involved SSN.
If you are so paranoid, you should make sure your SSN is at all time NOT in any 3rd party's hand, that includes your employer, your trade union / organization (yes, there were a fraudulent tax return case down here involved over 200 law-enforcement officers and firefighters SSNs being used.), and any medical places in particular your doctors' offices - this is a friendly advice from someone had SSN stolen in one of those places and fraudulent tax return being filed 3 years ago. Even that, nothing else has ever happened, no CC being obtained under the stolen SSN, nor faked loan. I did not even bother to sign up monitoring service despite it was offered for free based on my knowledge on this matter.
As for DL? it is no secret to be guarded, nor any such info could be used by crooks to cause any trouble.
Finally, Data Breach in big organizations is where the biggest problems occurred. Yet, having a few CCs being used fraudulent does NOT equal ID theft. Of course the media always mislead the uneducated public on credit card breach being ID Theft. It is NOT. As an example, a stolen DL info could not be used to file a fraudulent tax return - that distinction should make it clear to you that DL info is nothing to be worried about - it is purely a document to legally prove your claim as to who you are. But if you choose to live in your unfounded fear, so be it.