A local grocery store recorded my ID and SSN when I bought VGCs
Mar 7, 2015, 1:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 194
A local grocery store recorded my ID and SSN when I bought VGCs
I went to a local grocery store and bought $5K VGCs today, and the lady there asked for my ID and also my SSN and recorded them on a piece of paper, and they she is going to report (not sure where). I was not comfortable to give her my SSN, so I gave a wrong one. But this experience made me feel bad, and probably I will not go back to the store again.
They have a lot of VGCs on rack while other stores have no or few, so probably this is the reason other MS-ers nearby do not go to this store.
what I am not sure is, shall I deny to give my SSN in this situation?
and who will she report to?
I am using my credit card to buy VGCs and it is totally legal; probably she worried too much.
They have a lot of VGCs on rack while other stores have no or few, so probably this is the reason other MS-ers nearby do not go to this store.
what I am not sure is, shall I deny to give my SSN in this situation?
and who will she report to?
I am using my credit card to buy VGCs and it is totally legal; probably she worried too much.
Mar 7, 2015, 2:08 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,500
I went to a local grocery store and bought $5K VGCs today, and the lady there asked for my ID and also my SSN and recorded them on a piece of paper, and they she is going to report (not sure where). I was not comfortable to give her my SSN, so I gave a wrong one. But this experience made me feel bad, and probably I will not go back to the store again.
They have a lot of VGCs on rack while other stores have no or few, so probably this is the reason other MS-ers nearby do not go to this store.
what I am not sure is, shall I deny to give my SSN in this situation?
and who will she report to?
I am using my credit card to buy VGCs and it is totally legal; probably she worried too much.
They have a lot of VGCs on rack while other stores have no or few, so probably this is the reason other MS-ers nearby do not go to this store.
what I am not sure is, shall I deny to give my SSN in this situation?
and who will she report to?
I am using my credit card to buy VGCs and it is totally legal; probably she worried too much.
Mar 7, 2015, 2:11 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 154
thats a damn shame, these clerks always write down the wrong number. I say one, they write down seven, and so on..
Mar 7, 2015, 2:30 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 194
I suspect they have the authority to ask for SSN. Do they?
Mar 7, 2015, 2:32 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 194
In the beginning she told me she will report. and later when the manager came, she said to the manager that she collected all info (ID SSN) and the manager said back to her "let's find out who he is". What a scary conversation.
Mar 7, 2015, 4:16 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,512
I don't understand why do you want to buy a $5K? This is really too much for grocery store. Unless they know you, what you do, it is a very bad practice to start with extra large purchases. I usually do $500-$1K to see how cashiers react and then repeat. Maximum I did was $2K, no more.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:12 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 232
I don't understand why do you want to buy a $5K? This is really too much for grocery store. Unless they know you, what you do, it is a very bad practice to start with extra large purchases. I usually do $500-$1K to see how cashiers react and then repeat. Maximum I did was $2K, no more.
looks like mr. nkpatel is going to jail.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 102
Why would you give a fake SSN, first of all? Instead of doing that, you should nicely said you don't feel comfortable doing so. If she denies to sell you the VGC in that case, then just thank them for the assistance, don't purchase, walk away and go to another store.
They don't know WHY you're buying all the VGC, so as an employee they have to think something is up. Not everyone just go to a grocery store and buys 5k worth of gift cards. I mean to put myself in their shoes, it has "Potential Fraudulent Activity" all over it.
There's a lot of fraud going on out there. Think of putting yourself in their shoes before making those kinds transactions. It about using common sense.
They don't know WHY you're buying all the VGC, so as an employee they have to think something is up. Not everyone just go to a grocery store and buys 5k worth of gift cards. I mean to put myself in their shoes, it has "Potential Fraudulent Activity" all over it.
There's a lot of fraud going on out there. Think of putting yourself in their shoes before making those kinds transactions. It about using common sense.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: All of them
Posts: 1,664
Why would you give a fake SSN, first of all? Instead of doing that, you should nicely said you don't feel comfortable doing so. If she denies to sell you the VGC in that case, then just thank them for the assistance, don't purchase, walk away and go to another store.
They don't know WHY you're buying all the VGC, so as an employee they have to think something is up. Not everyone just go to a grocery store and buys 5k worth of gift cards. I mean to put myself in their shoes, it has "Potential Fraudulent Activity" all over it.
There's a lot of fraud going on out there. Think of putting yourself in their shoes before making those kinds transactions. It about using common sense.
They don't know WHY you're buying all the VGC, so as an employee they have to think something is up. Not everyone just go to a grocery store and buys 5k worth of gift cards. I mean to put myself in their shoes, it has "Potential Fraudulent Activity" all over it.
There's a lot of fraud going on out there. Think of putting yourself in their shoes before making those kinds transactions. It about using common sense.
I can understand large quantities of MOs requiring info in case of fraud or ML going on, but what kind of fraud can possibly happen when buying GCs with a credit card with your name on it? Lots of businesses buy GCs to give out as promotions or employee bonuses.
They should worry more about stolen CC being used, but that's why they verify ID first and these cards are non-refundable. No need to collect SSN at all.
Mar 7, 2015, 6:30 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,500
My point is next time just walk away and come back later with a different cashier. If that store/company has a policy that if you buy at least $5K you need to provide SSN, then just buy less to get around that. Don't feel like you are trapped having to provide SSN because in reality they are just protecting themselves from such a large purchase. Nobody is forcing you to buy $5K and sometimes there are consequences for buying such a large quantity of VGCs so just adapt.
Last edited by ericdabbs; Mar 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm
Mar 7, 2015, 6:31 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,538
I like to use this SSN: http://factually.gizmodo.com/the-mos...s-0-1612270289