pushback

My guess is if it isn't already being done, these data will be harvested as they pass through the merchants network on the way to the bank. It will likely evolve much like telephone number capturing has for toll-free numbers. Originally ANI (Automatic Number Identification) provided the calling number to toll-free merchants strictly for billing purposes. That makes sense, since they are paying for the call and since once a upon a time LD charges were based not only on connect time but where the caller was. Now, however, they are able to detect it, in real-time, whether your number is blocked or not. I don't like that--which is why I'll always call the non-toll-free number on my CC card (free with the LD included on my mobile). ANI should be done away with now since toll-free charges are now solely based on connect time. I won't hold my breath--but that's a discussion for another day.

I have heard that argument many times and I don't buy it. My econ classes taught me that in an efficient market the seller will charge the highest price the market will bear. If that's the case the merchant ends up absorbing the expense because if s/he raises the price someone else will come along and sell it cheaper. Restaurants are highly elastic. In the absence of competition where there is inelasticity business will just drop off as the price point moves above the price a consumer is willing to pay--which was already defined as the highest price the market will bear.

realpix

That's what I do with my bank - (Wells Fargo)

even though they know me and know me by name.

realpix

They threaten to call the police? I have whipped out my cell phone and said I AM CALLING THE POLICE - obviously you think there is credit card fraud involved - and I will stand at this register until they come.

Did this at a Wells Fargo bank one time with a manager- even though I had a account there and my mother once did. They wanted my mother's fingerprint....

The bank manager relented - "company policy" indeed.....

Good I hate sheeple...

SomeGuy

One of the other scams I have heard of recently started in Cincy. In Cincy, one bank pretty much dominates the city. The scam in restaurants is that someone in the back will switch the customer's card for a worthless card from the same bank. Of course, no one checks their card until it is much too late.

benolathe

Now I really like your style of thinking - force the business to show that they are "legit" too.

Doppy

This cuts both ways. Fraud costs them money, but accepting credit cards brings in more sales. Presumably the latter is worth more than the former, or no one would take credit cards.

I agree that the PIN system would work, though this would require a significant change in POS equipment.

psyflyer

I wish I had the time like you to do the above, more power to you.

Seems like you have never bought bottles of Champagne or Vodka in a club, why dont you try this trick there, and see where you end up...

pushback

This is the sort if thing you make time for. No one said protecting one's privacy and civil liberties was an easy thing to do. Its OK though, if you don't take a stand. He's doing it for you. I do it every time I'm in a check-out line and I refuse to show ID. The people in line behind me don't understand I am fighting their battle too--like you, they too roll their eyes.

Some people get it, some people don't. That's life.

psyflyer

Very well said, thanks for summing it up.

KVS

Requiring ID:

For Visa:

• "It is contrary to Visa policy to require the consumer to show identification as a condition of the sale. If a merchant asks for identification and the consumer is unable or unwilling to produce it, the merchant is still obliged to accept the consumer’s Visa card. Consumers who experience refusal of service based on identification may either call their card issuer to report the problem or call 1-800-VISA-911"
  [http://web.archive.org/web/200512110...html#anchor_18]

For MasterCard:

• "The merchant cannot require additional identification as a standard business practice when you use MasterCard for payment."
  [http://web.archive.org/web/200412230...cust_serv.html]
  
  
  
  
• "If a merchant displays a decal with the MasterCard logo to indicate that MasterCard cards are accepted, that merchant can not condition a sale based upon the cardholder disclosing any other information or identification, except under very specific conditions, such as when merchant needs to deliver merchandise to the cardholder's home or business."
  [http://www.MasterCard.com/us/busines...n/faq.html#211]
  
  
• You can report a US-based MasterCard merchant, violating this policy, online at http://www.MasterCard.com/us/persona...iolations.html. In all other cases, you can submit a report through your card issuer.

As for AMEX, they discourage (but not prohibit) this practice, leaving it at the discretion of the merchant.


Unsigned/"See ID" Cards:

For Visa:

For MasterCard:

• "If the card is not signed, the card acceptor must: [..] require the cardholder to sign the card. The card acceptor must not complete the transaction if the cardholder refuses to sign the card."
  
  [http://www.prattontexas.com/document...ant_Manual.pdf]