COLUMN: Please swipe my credit card for me
A trend that has become something of an everyday occurrence has caused me a great deal of distress lately.
The trend I am speaking of is the failure of many businesses to check for identification or even a signature on the back of credit cards when they are used for a purchase.
While I was in New York City for spring pause, I had several times when my card was not even looked at. They did not look at the name nor did they check the back of the card to make sure it had been signed. The worst was that none of them checked the signature on the receipt against the card to verify I was really the owner of the card.
When I arrived home, I pulled up to the toll booth so I could reclaim my car. There I paid with my VISA again. I did not even have to sign the receipt.
Recently, I was shopping for groceries at Smith’s. I made my purchases and was checking out. I went to hand the checker my credit card and he pointed to the debit card machine. I swiped my card and was promptly handed a receipt for my purchase. He did not even look at the card once.
The problem I have with this is the increasing number of cases involving stolen credit cards. How can I as a consumer feel safe when I have watched so many companies just skim over the top of this small verification step. I want to know if someone stole my card that it would not be used to buy who knows what before someone would be smart enough to check the back.
I decided to try a little experiment to see how long it would take for someone to check the back of my card. I took a new card I had not signed and started to make purchases on it. I had visited three stores before someone noticed I had not signed the back. It was only then I was asked for photo identification so they could verify it was indeed my card.
In a time when theft is so rampant why would companies be turning their backs on consumer protection. I can tell you, I am very careful where I shop. I only want to support stores that are looking out for me – the consumer.
True, everyone is looking for the quick way around this. People are too busy to be concerned about how safe their accounts are. But I am not. I want to feel safe when I shop.
I have heard of people refusing to sign their cards and writing a message requiring identification to be shown in order for the card to be used. I am convinced this is the way to go. When my new cards arrive, I am following this advice. I will not allow the common card thief to have a couple hundred dollars of free stuff on me.
If I had any power at all, I would call for all stores to tighten their surveillance of credit card use. Make sure to check for identification and check my signature. But I am just a college journalist, and it is safe to say I do not have the power to make the needed changes, but consumers on a whole do.
We must demand that our personal accounts be protected. Shop where the company cares about you. Support businesses that go out of their way to make sure stolen cards cannot be used. Find a way to enforce the laws and keep our credit reports in good standing.