I don't think anyone is questioning the viewing of ID for check-in. That's been around for years. It's the copying of the DL info that Richard (and others) have a problem w/. While I do use my DL for ID when traveling in the US I don't allow them to copy anything. A Doubletree FDC (think it was DT; it was a Hilton brand) near SFO wanted to copy my DL & CC several years ago. I politely said that was a non-starter & he backed off.

Heck, when I was at the Prague Marriott they wanted to copy my AAA card to prove I was eligible for the rate & made up some b.s. about corp requiring it. I called them on it as I knew HQ didn't have that rule & said they could look at the card to verify it was me since they also had my passport in their hand with my name & pic but that was about it/no copying. We really got into it tooth & nail.

Re: clerks asking for zip code on cash at stores - blame their employers, not the clerk. They're just doing it for marketing purposes/where customers are coming from. I normally say 00000. Clerks look startled, but then shrug & plug it in.

Cheers.

What kind of ID theft could take place with just a DL number? I know the SS# could cause a lot of havoc if an ID thief has it.

Would they need more than a DL#?

Just curious and not defending the hotel. I have never had a hotel copy my DL# as an FYI. Not sure how I would react.

Making a fake copy of your DL with another persons picture, to start, which many cities and agencies accept for services (such as getting water and electric service in my home city of Los Angeles).

Might also get YOU arrested http://www.idtheftcenter.org/Governm...s-license.html

being overly paranoid...............

When I lived in Virginia in the 70s/80s my DL number was my SSN!

Did they change that since?

Does no state have the SSN as the DL number any more?

Yes, use of SSN was made optional sometime in the early 80s (I switched immediately) and in 2003 a law was passed in VA where the SSN is not allowed to be used in the DL number anymore.
I believe the Social Security Protection Act of 2010 which limits the Government's use of and access to social security numbers; probably doesn't allow states to use the SSN in a DL number anymore. I don't know that for sure, but at least I pointed those interested in finding out more int he right direction so they can go read up on it.

I've had trouble on the zip code in stores and at gas pumps when it wants my nine digit zip code (that I don't have memorized).

Your driver's license has your home address. When you check into a hotel, they know you won't be home for a certain number of days. Someone could pass on this information and your property could be robbed. This is why I never show my driver's license to TSA employees or airline airport workers. I also don't use it to prove age because I don't want the waiter to know my home address.

In addition, for ID theft, knowing your birthdate is helpful. Sometimes it's enough to convince a credit card call center worker that you're the one calling to request an address change and an new card, for example. Or knowing your name and birthdate can enable someone to find your mother's maiden name and birthdate (from birth records), which is often used for credit card and bank security questions.

That is what I always thought and I'd tell them that they didn't need it or gave them a made up one. Then one day my AmEx was rejected - they at least were using for it a security check. And I believe that the gas stations (at least some of them) are also using as security check. If it is a stolen card, I guess you are less likely to know the home zip.

Yes, many stores (e.g., Wal-Mart) and gas stations (Sam's) use the billing ZIP as part of the authorization process for credit card purchases.

You'll note that Sharon was clear in limiting her comment to "clerks asking for zip code on cash at stores" (emphasis added).

sorry - missed the reference to zip on "cash"

I'm pretty sure my home address is listed in my profile as I always get stuff from Marriott anyways, and I've seen their system (Opera) and it shows our home address when we check-in (it's tied to our rewards account). Unless of course you decide to only provide a business address....

I've never had a store or gas pump ask for 9-digit zip code, just 'zip code' & when I plug in the 5 digit zip code it accepts the zip code. While most people probably don't memorize their 9-digit I'd be surprised if many don't know their 5 digit.

Yes I was referring to request for zip on cash, not credit card.

Cheers.

Or a personal mail box. I got one (at a local UPS store) originally because I was traveling so much and having so much trouble with USPS not doing vacation holds they promised, and because there was no one home to sign for packages that needed signing. But when I moved about a year ago I shifted all my mail that I could (everything except physically connected utilities that need to know my real home address, basically) to the UPS store address. Every single credit card I have uses that as its mailing address (though a small fraction of them know my physical address "behind the scenes"). All hotels and airlines only know my UPS store mailing address. I've even updated DMV successfully with it, so the registration in my car doesn't even show my home address any more! (Though California DMV doesn't automatically reissue DLs when you move, so instead my DL just shows my former residential address).

Because it's not a USPS mailbox, it's accepted at places that say "no PO boxes". (It's called a Suite number, not a PO box, in the actual address.)

Now, I don't know if I'd consider the cost worth it just for "hiding" my home address. But since I needed it for package signing while I'm away on travel, etc, it was a no brainer for me to move "all" my "sensitive" mail there instead of just packages.

PO Regs say you're supposed to use "PMB" (Private Mail Box) in the address, not "Suite". They might start to enforce that some day. Or maybe not.