How do I not be sucky with this request?

[FuzzyKitten99]

Ok, now I normally don't pay with check at stores anymore, since few places take them now. But sometimes I do, for various reasons, such as misplacing my check card, or like at Sam's Club, they don't take Visa at all.

First, a little backstory: Our state recently (about 2 years ago or so) adopted the policy of changing your license number every time you renew, which is every 4 years. This is because the past system was an ID code that contained info such as social security number. Apparently, some geniuses out there figured out how to crack the code and proceeded to obtain identities and steal them.

So, even though the new code system is better, any company that deals with ID theft will tell you that your DL number is something that ID theives can use to obtain info about you.

Because of this, many check printers won't print your DL on your checks unless you sign a waiver either with the bank or with them directly, that they are not responsible for your DL number being seen by various people in the facility. At least the check printer that the bank I used to work for, did that.

So when I pay with check, the person taking it from me of course, asks for ID and then 99% of the time, proceeds to write my DL number down on the check. I have asked them to stop and given them the reason, but they get snippy and even get managers, etc., saying it was the policy. I have always been nothing but polite but I can't stand it when I get opposition with this issue, because ID theft is so high, and I will do anything that can be done to prevent it happening to me without having to pay a monthly fee for some service to do it.

Anyhow, is there a way that I can bring this up without sounding sucky and all that goes with a customer bringing a customer-endangerment (financial or otherwise) issue up?

[Saydrah]

Honestly, you can't. To prevent check fraud, most companies have to do that. The best way to protect your identity and be allowed to pay by check is to request that a manager do the transaction and place your check in a secure area such as a safe or locked drawer in front of you. Then get the manager's name and store number so that in case of identity theft, you can request repayment from the store on the grounds that due to the precautions taken it must have been theft by an employee.

[digilight]

Yeah, you are pretty much stuck with this one. The merchant needs the info from your ID in case your check bounces and they have to come after you. Really the only way to get around this is to only write checks at mom and pop stores where they know you and its the owner dealing with you. I only take ID from people I don't know for checks, if its someone who's not a regular then you better believe your ID is going down on that check.

[Plaidman]

Yeah, back when we took checks, (Thankfully we don't anymore) we HAD to get a license number. No number, no junk food.

[Sandman]

Honestly, you can't. To prevent check fraud, most companies have to do that. The best way to protect your identity and be allowed to pay by check is to request that a manager do the transaction and place your check in a secure area such as a safe or locked drawer in front of you. Then get the manager's name and store number so that in case of identity theft, you can request repayment from the store on the grounds that due to the precautions taken it must have been theft by an employee.

You're just asking for the manager to yell at the employee for wasting their time with something like that. If you are that uncomfortable about that, you shouldn't use checks at all. The only time I use checks is when I give gifts or pay my car loan.

-didn't mean to bash you specifically, just the general idea about asking the manager to conduct the transaction.

[Saydrah]

That would have to be a heck of a sucky manager to blame the employee for a customer making that request. Yes, the request would waste time and resources for the store; however, sometimes when you work in retail a person legitimately requests special treatment, does so politely, and the right thing to do is to give it to them. Identity theft is a very real concern, and a polite request that a manager conduct the transaction and transfer the check to a secured area would not necessarily be sucky, and it would certainly not be the employee's fault.

[Sandman]

But it would cause a domino effect with people whining in the line on how it's taking too long, and it would make the requestiong customer look like a SC due to holding up the line.

[Seshat]

Talk to your bank about alternatives to cheques. There's probably a debit card you can get instead, that's more secure but acts almost identically to cheques.

[FuzzyKitten99]

Talk to your bank about alternatives to cheques. There's probably a debit card you can get instead, that's more secure but acts almost identically to cheques.

The first sentence of my first post already covered that:

Ok, now I normally don't pay with check at stores anymore, since few places take them now. But sometimes I do, for various reasons, such as misplacing my check card, or like at Sam's Club, they don't take Visa at all.

[Seshat]

My apologies: I clearly flubbed reading that clearly.

[Jester]

...and I will do anything that can be done to prevent it happening to me without having to pay a monthly fee for some service to do it.

Well, the solution really is simple.

Don't forget your check card.

And don't shop at Sam's if you don't have the cash to cover your purchases. ATMs are everywhere, and most check cards are also ATM cards. Or just don't shop at Sam's.

My check card/Visa/atm card (one card) is always in my wallet. My wallet is always in my pocket. I never forget it. Period.

And the only thing I ever use actual paper checks for anymore is to pay rent, and they don't need to write my DL# on it since they not only HAVE all my information on file, they also kind of know where I live! :lol:

[ShinyGreenApple]

Unfortunately, even if we didn't write the DL numbers on the checks (as per company policy), the number still prints out on the back of the check when our printer endorses it. At least at my store.

[tacohuman]

Identity theft is a very real concern, and a polite request that a manager conduct the transaction and transfer the check to a secured area would not necessarily be sucky, and it would certainly not be the employee's fault.

but checks change hands multiple times between point of sale and final posting to checkwriter's account, so even having a manager perform the transaction wouldn't help much.

that said, requiring an id number on the check is a safety precaution for the store. i don't know how it works in your area, but here it used to be that the local county attorney wouldn't even bother with trying to collect on bad checks turned over by stores without a license number written on the check.

[Crazeyal]

Not to be mean.. but how about a check card? A debit card is so much more useful than a check. For the small amount of people who don't take electronic transfers, you should hit an ATM and get cash. IF you are in a rural area, and this isn't as easy as it sounds, then use cash.

Checks have been abused by theives for far too long to be a viable source of spending.

[Boozy]

Not to be mean.. but how about a check card? A debit card is so much more useful than a check.

The poor thing has already covered this twice in the thread, but here it is again:

Ok, now I normally don't pay with check at stores anymore, since few places take them now. But sometimes I do, for various reasons, such as misplacing my check card, or like at Sam's Club, they don't take Visa at all.

[Imprl59]

This isn't so much the stores fault. Because of the number of bad checks being passed most places now have to use a qualifying service to be able to take checks. If the ID info isn't on the check and the check is returned the qualifying service will not cover it.

Steve B.

[boringscreenname]

When I worked at Target we just scanned the IDs.

At my current job I have to take people's driver's license then enter that information in the computer. When the person's trailer is finished, I have to write their name and driver's license # on our copy of their paperwork, then check them out of the computer system and their info is wiped from the computer.

It causes a huge uproar and I understand people's concerns, however I'm only doing what the client has asked me to do and the situation is out of my control. Like I tell the drivers, I'm not going to force you to show your license, and you don't have to, but if you don't you will be leaving this property without a load, so it's really wasting your time not mine.