icurhere2

Also illegal - U.S. currency is valid for "all debts, public and private", although there was (at least at one time) a provision in law that a merchant could refuse to accept more than a certain number of small denomination coins/currency for a purchase (e.g. for the sake of speedy transactions, a Starbucks didn't have to accept all pennies for a purchase). However, it's been a long time since my Money and Banking coursework and I no longer practice finance.

decibel08

and good luck to you sir, in your continuing journey to refine your patronizing tone! ^

honestly though i was not aware that the drivers license # could be used in place of a ssn somehow. maybe i'll put a strip of electrical tape over that portion of my license or hold it such that the numbers are obscured.

icurhere2

In the State of VA (and back when one's license number WAS your SSN, e.g. mid-1990's), I placed a carefully cut strip of white paper over it - only once did I have anyone question me about it, and that was at a casino . . .

im_blue

IANAA, but I've read that "valid for all debts, public and private" means that you can use U.S. currency to settle any existing debts, i.e. if you owe money to someone. However, you can't force someone to take your U.S. currency for a proposed transaction, such as a store purchase. Any store has the right to refuse service to any customer for any non-discriminatory reason. For example, a lot of fast food restaurants and gas stations have a sign saying they won't accept bills over $20.

TAHKUCT

And as far as I remember that is illegal. However, I do not recall where is the source of this info at the present time. Does anybody else have any info regarding this?

markwtaylor

I agree with you, decibel08. Highly unlikely that a DL could be used for this. Some people are simply too paranoid. What, are they going to use the DL to make a mask and bed your wife while you are away? Go ahead, she's probably butt ugly anyway if you are that paranoid.

Back to the OPs post. I do not like to pay ATM fees for getting cash, so I only get cash at home. And since I am never home, I use my card for everything, thus keeping my cash for places where you cannot use a card - like the soda machine. If someone does not like it, ask them politely to pay for your purchase in cash or SHUT THE F*&K UP!

TAHKUCT

See my post above and here is what I said: "It has your name, DOB, your current address and your drivers license #. This info is enough to apply for a credit at many department stores and/or change your home address with credit bureaus." All that info is very personal and can be used against you in the hands of the crook.

UA1KPHL

I recently tried to buy a car in California and they said they only accept CC up to $7500 so I did put up to that much on my CC then they are saying that they cannot accept any amount on CC since it is out of state CC.
This was Mercedes Benz Dealer in South California.

I will be reporting them next week.

soitgoes

That's a new one (the out-of-state part).

There are a couple of threads about car purchases on FT that may be of interest.

abcxyz

I was told by MB Manhattan when the new S class came out that I couldn't put more than 2'500 on my CC stating it was a NYS law.

Do you have links to those threads?

markwtaylor

I agree in principal, but I still believe that the paranoia is still too great. The risk is minimal and simple to reverse. Without SSN, the credit bureaus have no leg to stand on. Proven by the IMMEDIATE removal of items on my credit report recently that had no bearing on me. In fact, being as my name is so common, I get that crap a lot, and it has proven to be easier to remove than a piece of toilet paper from my shoe. Besides, the credit bureaus are idiots and the creditors know it. That is why they will ignore much of what is on the report with a simple letter explaining the stupid and erroneous data contained therein. Further, credit worthiness is based on averaging the info from three sources, and it is unlikely that this data will get to all three.

VonS

I always seem to get behind the person who waits for the total before beginning to search through her suit case size purse for her check book. After finding it, she then seems to balance her check book to be sure she has enough in the bank to cover the check. She then writes at a snails pace, after, of course, rummaging through her bag, once again, to find her pen.

And please, don't get me started about the men, rummaging through their wallets which are 4 inches thick with every kind of receipt, who are looking for the elusive check which they have torn from their wallets, folded into quarters, and shoved somewhere within the debis in the wallet. Makes me wonder what theses people's homes look like inside.

The Ivory Actuary

Leather wallpaper?

zski1

Actually, any private person/organization can refuse to accept cash. See the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's take on the matter which says:

TAHKUCT

Very interesting. Thanks for pointing this to me.