Unbelievable stupidity

[ShootMePlease]

At my store, if you are applying for our store credit card or if you don't have your card with you when you want to pay we ask you to punch in your Social Security number. It's a mostly foolproof way of identifying you. Most folks have no trouble figuring out they have to punch it in on the credit card keypad. I am alarmed by the amount of people who just start telling me their number, loudly, in front of other customers. As soon as I hear any combination of 3 numbers I stop them immediately and say "No !! Punch it in on the keypad !!"

It boggles my mind that there are people out there with no sense of privacy or security.

[TheSnakeLady]

I'm sure if you asked for their zipcode they'd throw a fuss.

[Merriweather]

Unfortunately, after reading stores here and elsewhere (even the news), I feel I must point out the error of your thread title. I don't think a stupidity exists that I wouldn't believe someone, somewhere, would try. Sigh.

[PepperElf]

kinda like where i work.

except that most customers don't try giving me their SSN... but they DO try giving me their passwords. why bother even having a password if you're just going to blurt it out? This is why our system (I've nicknamed it "Firefly") lets you type it in and all you see is ***** etc.

although i have had people trying to apply for credit cards with expired ID - some didn't even have an ID card.

[Kogarashi]

although i have had people trying to apply for credit cards with expired ID - some didn't even have an ID card.

Sort of related to that, I've had people try to buy age-restricted merchandise with a high school ID before. And no, they could not understand what I meant when I insisted on government-issued ID (I do believe I heard at least one mother insist "but this is government-issued!").

[Racket_Man]

Sort of related to that, I've had people try to buy age-restricted merchandise with a high school ID before. And no, they could not understand what I meant when I insisted on government-issued ID (I do believe I heard at least one mother insist "but this is government-issued!").

technically, if it is a public school ID it is a "government" issued ID though not even in the realm of useable for an ID

Around my area we have a several area with Native American populations. they have their own goverment, issue (maybe via the state)their own vehicle license plates and IDs and these are all technically legal forms of ID.

[PepperElf]

Yeah... state-issued Driver (or non-driver) ID, military ID, or passport. (photos required. not sure about the temp driver id cards tho, cos many states don't use those anymore and make ID cards instantly)

besides even if a student id is "government issued" ... not all of them have photos.

[raudf]

Not all the school ID's are "government issued," either. Private schools have IDs too..

Yeah, I loved it when I'd have a customer call me from their cell phone (back in the late 90's when cells were still more expensive and minutes were only less so) and during verification process, these more money than sense types would practically YELL their private info in public places. Including credit card numbers for parts orders...

[XCashier]

Sort of related to that, I've had people try to buy age-restricted merchandise with a high school ID before.

So have I.

And no, they could not understand what I meant when I insisted on government-issued ID (I do believe I heard at least one mother insist "but this is government-issued!").

Not to mention, if they're still in high school, they're definitely not old enough to drink, and possibly not old enough to buy tobacco. And hell, if you're over 21 and still in high school, it's time to start hitting the books and stop hitting the bottle!

[EyeAgree]

It boggles my mind that there are people out there with no sense of privacy or security.

I think a lot of identity thief and fraud is based on the victim being either dumb, naive, or wanting to get something for nothing, like the case of the person that gives an anonymous emailer their bank account account information for a million dollar transaction and they'll get to keep a 3% finders fee. yeh right!
Yep. A lot of people are just plain dumb, I think.

[Titi]

I can top this. I was working in the front of the store (where things are a dollar or $2.50) where people enter the store and where the bathrooms are. And this lady was giving her card number and her 3 digit code right next me and everyone else in the area (she was booking a cab home by bank debit/credit card using the credit option.), and was loud and emphasized every number.

Luckily for her, the other customers and I just had a WTF Fest about it.