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From the article
"I confirmed this about a year ago with representatives from both MC & Visa"
"What that signature really means
The card companies remind customers that the signature panel isn't just for verifying the signature. It's also used to validate the contract you have with the credit card company. By signing, you confirm that you agree to their terms. And even though you may choose not to sign the card but use it anyway, you still are bound to the terms and agreements set forth by the issuer."
Also from the article
"A solution offered to the extra-cautious: Sign the card AND write "See ID" on the signature panel."
Having both on the card could benefit should your purse or wallet be stolen. The "thief" may see both and decide using the card when it has a signature & the check ID may not be worth the risk and they would instead use a card they took with no signature signing the back themselves to try and avoid the non-signed card ask for ID situations.
Why wouldn't you sign the card? It gives little protection, but it's better than nothing.
In Europe, they seem to use PINs on their credit cards. I think we should go to that system, so that it's physically impossible to charge without some form of identification. That way, we're not relying on clerks who make minimum wage to prevent fraud.
This is ridiculous advice. If someone is serious about getting to your money, they can easily have a fake ID created (its not very hard - ask any bartender). Store clerks (usually) have zero training on recognizing forged IDs.
As I said above - if someone wants your card info, they'll get it.[/quote]
They can't duplicate a picture.
It isn't ridiculous, that advice has been around for many a year and
has worked very well.
Yes, the reason for not signing is to compel them to make an additional effort to verify a suspect card. If my card is lost or stolen, I don't want a salesclerk to just glance at the signature line and see if there is something there, as a guarantee of authenticity.
This is ridiculous advice. If someone is serious about getting to your money, they can easily have a fake ID created (its not very hard - ask any bartender). Store clerks (usually) have zero training on recognizing forged IDs.
As I said above - if someone wants your card info, they'll get it.
They can't duplicate a picture.
It isn't ridiculous, that advice has been around for many a year and
has worked very well.[/quote]
Why would the picture need to be accurate? One could easily replicate an ID with the correct name and their picture and go to town with your card.
Unless there is a photo on the card itself, like some B of A cards.
nope, shouldn't sign them........
write on them SEE ID.
Never sign the back of a card.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtur88
Yes, the reason for not signing is to compel them to make an additional effort to verify a suspect card. If my card is lost or stolen, I don't want a salesclerk to just glance at the signature line and see if there is something there, as a guarantee of authenticity.
This is 100% accurate, excellent advice......
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for 1985.
However, this is 2010 and more often than not your credit card never leaves your hand; you just swipe it yourself at the point of sale. In fact, other than in restaurants or bars, I can't even remember the last time I handed my card to a cashier or a sales clerk.
A picture would need to be accurate in order to match the face of the person handing over the card...
You're totally missing the point.
Consider this:
Your card says "see id" on the back. Someone steals your wallet (purse?)...... takes out your credit cards. (S)He then proceeds to make a fake id, with YOUR name, and THEIR photo. (which, is NOT difficult).
They then go to town with "YOUR" ID and YOUR credit cards.
or this:
Your card has your signature on the back. Someone steals your wallet (purse?)...... takes out your credit cards. (S)He then proceeds to make a fake id, with YOUR name, and THEIR photo AND your matching signature. (which, is NOT difficult).
They then go to town with "YOUR" ID and YOUR credit cards.
Of course, the ID doesn't need to be all that accurate, because the sales clerk will take a 1 second look at the photo and clear the sale.
Now: when you signed the back of your card, they had to fake 2 things: the ID and your signature. Writing "see id" on the back - they only had to fake one simple ID.
Now, if you want to argue about how easy it is to fake an ID, ask any 16 year old kid in small-town america. Not very hard. Especially when the $9 per hour sales clerk is only REALLY concerned with making it through their shift, not stopping identity theft.
Question for those of you who don't sign your cards
Just curious
What is your reason behind not signing ?
no reason - just out of habit. Get the new cards in the mail, activate them, and put them in my wallet. In fact, my AmEX card doesnt' even have a signature box.
Also, as others have indicated, you rarely even hand the card over now. You simply swipe them and then sign the PoS pad - and most places don't even need a signature anymore.
I think if it makes you feel more comfortable, sign it. However, from a practical stand point, I don't think it matter a whole lot either way unless you shop at the few merchants that actually enforce the signatures - then its simply less hassle to just sign it.
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