New potential troubling Trend at Kroger (money services buying MOs)
Jun 26, 2014, 6:59 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 30
New potential troubling Trend at Kroger (money services buying MOs)
Question for you guys... Been doing the MO thing for a long time at Kroger. (on and off for 3 years) They know me well and we have small talk and they have gotten comfortable with me.
HOWEVER, the last few times i've gone in its gotten a little weird. First time a regular cashier asked to see my ID. I wasnt too bothered by it, I asked if it was a new policy and she said basically, "For the amount that you buy, yes..." She didnt scan it or anything just glanced over it. (maybe she filed a SAR?) But then nobody else has ever asked for again. I thought, no big deal. Well my favorite cashier yesterday (a few weeks later) wouldnt let me get my MO unless I scanned in my Kroger loyalty card first... She said something about them making a point of getting loyalty cards inputted for sales at the money services counter because no body ever does it. (Then she tried to tell me I might get a coupon for a free MO sometime when I buy groceries.... I call BS. probably just another way to track me)
AM I being too paranoid? Anybody else seeing these trends @ Kroger?
HOWEVER, the last few times i've gone in its gotten a little weird. First time a regular cashier asked to see my ID. I wasnt too bothered by it, I asked if it was a new policy and she said basically, "For the amount that you buy, yes..." She didnt scan it or anything just glanced over it. (maybe she filed a SAR?) But then nobody else has ever asked for again. I thought, no big deal. Well my favorite cashier yesterday (a few weeks later) wouldnt let me get my MO unless I scanned in my Kroger loyalty card first... She said something about them making a point of getting loyalty cards inputted for sales at the money services counter because no body ever does it. (Then she tried to tell me I might get a coupon for a free MO sometime when I buy groceries.... I call BS. probably just another way to track me)
AM I being too paranoid? Anybody else seeing these trends @ Kroger?
Jun 26, 2014, 7:07 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 222
Question for you guys... Been doing the MO thing for a long time at Kroger. (on and off for 3 years) They know me well and we have small talk and they have gotten comfortable with me.
HOWEVER, the last few times i've gone in its gotten a little weird. First time a regular cashier asked to see my ID. I wasnt too bothered by it, I asked if it was a new policy and she said basically, "For the amount that you buy, yes..." She didnt scan it or anything just glanced over it. (maybe she filed a SAR?) But then nobody else has ever asked for again. I thought, no big deal. Well my favorite cashier yesterday (a few weeks later) wouldnt let me get my MO unless I scanned in my Kroger loyalty card first... She said something about them making a point of getting loyalty cards inputted for sales at the money services counter because no body ever does it. (Then she tried to tell me I might get a coupon for a free MO sometime when I buy groceries.... I call BS. probably just another way to track me)
AM I being too paranoid? Anybody else seeing these trends @ Kroger?
HOWEVER, the last few times i've gone in its gotten a little weird. First time a regular cashier asked to see my ID. I wasnt too bothered by it, I asked if it was a new policy and she said basically, "For the amount that you buy, yes..." She didnt scan it or anything just glanced over it. (maybe she filed a SAR?) But then nobody else has ever asked for again. I thought, no big deal. Well my favorite cashier yesterday (a few weeks later) wouldnt let me get my MO unless I scanned in my Kroger loyalty card first... She said something about them making a point of getting loyalty cards inputted for sales at the money services counter because no body ever does it. (Then she tried to tell me I might get a coupon for a free MO sometime when I buy groceries.... I call BS. probably just another way to track me)
AM I being too paranoid? Anybody else seeing these trends @ Kroger?
Last edited by goblue77; Jun 26, 2014 at 7:13 am
Jun 26, 2014, 7:11 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 202
In my area we have Fred Meyer stores which is in the Kroger family. Although I have never purchased a MO, I do regularly purchase VGCs. Regardless of which store I go to they always take my DL and enter it into their POS. They say they do this for any GC purchase over $100 (or maybe $200).
Several months ago someone took Fred Meyer for over $40k buying VGC with stolen CCs. The policy may have been implemented after that.
I, personally, don't have any problem with it. If simple pro-active steps extend the life of MS then I am all for it.
I also purchase VGC from Walmart. On one occasion a manager came over to the register and took a report -- name, phone, address, DL. It only happened once. I think it was just a CSR who may have been uncomfortable selling $2k worth of VGC.
Several months ago someone took Fred Meyer for over $40k buying VGC with stolen CCs. The policy may have been implemented after that.
I, personally, don't have any problem with it. If simple pro-active steps extend the life of MS then I am all for it.
I also purchase VGC from Walmart. On one occasion a manager came over to the register and took a report -- name, phone, address, DL. It only happened once. I think it was just a CSR who may have been uncomfortable selling $2k worth of VGC.
Jun 26, 2014, 7:28 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Fishers, IN
Posts: 105
I talked to my Kroger clerk yesterday. She told me $3000>= I have to do ID and fill out a form. However, $2999.99 is no form but they *may* fill out a suspicious activity form anyway. I'm planning on doing $2k or so at a shot from here on out to fly under the radar, other than that all is well.
Jun 26, 2014, 7:35 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 30
Yeah thats what I figured... I just wonder why she did it all. None of the other cashiers have done it, and I have yet to see her again. Strange. Maybe just to make sure I was a resident of the state? not transient? I come in all the time. Who knows. It must've given peace of mind.
Jun 26, 2014, 8:35 am
#10
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 288
Question for you guys... Been doing the MO thing for a long time at Kroger. (on and off for 3 years) They know me well and we have small talk and they have gotten comfortable with me.
HOWEVER, the last few times i've gone in its gotten a little weird. First time a regular cashier asked to see my ID. I wasnt too bothered by it, I asked if it was a new policy and she said basically, "For the amount that you buy, yes..." She didnt scan it or anything just glanced over it. (maybe she filed a SAR?) But then nobody else has ever asked for again. I thought, no big deal. Well my favorite cashier yesterday (a few weeks later) wouldnt let me get my MO unless I scanned in my Kroger loyalty card first... She said something about them making a point of getting loyalty cards inputted for sales at the money services counter because no body ever does it. (Then she tried to tell me I might get a coupon for a free MO sometime when I buy groceries.... I call BS. probably just another way to track me)
AM I being too paranoid? Anybody else seeing these trends @ Kroger?
HOWEVER, the last few times i've gone in its gotten a little weird. First time a regular cashier asked to see my ID. I wasnt too bothered by it, I asked if it was a new policy and she said basically, "For the amount that you buy, yes..." She didnt scan it or anything just glanced over it. (maybe she filed a SAR?) But then nobody else has ever asked for again. I thought, no big deal. Well my favorite cashier yesterday (a few weeks later) wouldnt let me get my MO unless I scanned in my Kroger loyalty card first... She said something about them making a point of getting loyalty cards inputted for sales at the money services counter because no body ever does it. (Then she tried to tell me I might get a coupon for a free MO sometime when I buy groceries.... I call BS. probably just another way to track me)
AM I being too paranoid? Anybody else seeing these trends @ Kroger?
Jun 26, 2014, 9:04 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Programs: Hyatt, SPG, IHG, UAL
Posts: 11
I have had that happen to me at my Kroger when purchasing a single VGC for $500. Does make me feel a little "icky" I still do it because it is not a large amount and I don't do it that often. I do wonder what is going on.
Jun 26, 2014, 9:27 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA (one day at a time) DL, US, IMF, NSA (I'm watching you!)
Posts: 24