Should you sign the back of your credit cards?
 

Found this here:
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcredit.html

Dear Straight Dope:

The other day I read a report explaining why we should not sign the back of our credit cards so we will be forced to show our drivers license when we use it. That's suppose to protect us just in case someone steels it. But, the back of the credit card indicates that the card is not valid unless is signed. Who should we believe? --Derek0701


SDSTAFF Ken replies:


You should believe me, as I have worked in retail, for a company that issues its own credit cards. Here's our official advice on signing the strip on the back: Don't sign it. It's useless as a deterrent, as anyone who takes your card then has a sample of your signature which they can not only use on any charge slip, but on your checks as well. However, do not leave the white strip blank. In that space, write: "Ask For Picture ID," and be prepared to back that up someday when you're in a hurry and the clerk wants to see a driver's license as well as the card. It makes the charge transaction a little longer, but a lot safer.


SDSTAFF Dex adds:


I concur with Ken. That's what I was told when I lost a card, which I didn't realize until I got a statement with purchase of furs, $3000 or so. Their signature was a reasonable facsimile of mine, I mean, I could tell it wasn't mine by looking, but a clerk looking quickly wouldnta. (Turned out OK, I had to sign a notarized affadavit that I didn't buy them ... and since I was out of the country on the purchase date, I
had proof if needed). In the aftermath, the store suggested exactly what Ken said, writing "ASK FOR PHOTO ID" in the signature block. Occasionally takes a little more time, but avoids later hassles.


--SDSTAFF Ken and SDSTAFF Dex

Straight Dope Science Advisory Board


What do you think is the way to go Sign or No ??

Don't sign. "See ID" is best, though a lot of toimes people wont even look. I also leave me activatate stick on the fronts as long as possible. Always the chance someone would think it is not activated.

In fast, most places that let you swipe yourself, never even ask for your card. Farmer Jack etc.

I sign my card still and put SEE ID on it, I get asked about 9-10 times to see my ID, I don't mind if they ask for the ID...

who cares

Mine says, ask to see a picture ID please.

Yeah, my bank actually went ahead and told me that it's safer to not sign it, so... I didn't.

Most places never even check anyway... I think I've been asked for ID a total of 5 times.

But they are supposed to.. and when they do, I feel safer about it.

For the first time ever when I was recently activating a renewed card they told me I had the option to sign the back or not. Never had a credit card company tell me that before. Some places won't accept your card if it's not signed since it DOES say on the back "Not valid unless signed".

mine says: This Card Is Stolen

LOL NEATO

I have CID on everything and I still dont get asked for ID a majority of the time.

If you go into the post office...They won't accept your credit card if its not signed or says SEE ID...Legally its null and void...

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/comments/creditcard.html

"To my dismay Google directs me right to the Visa and Mastercard websites which inform me that it is indeed not allowed to write "SEE ID" on the back of your card. That you MUST sign the back of it."

Uh, thats stupid. IF you don't sign it, the person who stole the card will just sign some fake sig, then they won't even have to worry about trying to match it up when they buy shit. And also, who cares if your credit card is stolen, you get that money back anyways. Every card is protection against that, ive had 2 cards stolen and never had a problem getting the money back

Our cards used pin authentication, so no need for signatures at all.

yeah i always thought it was sort of stupid in a way

I use mine all the time, only 1 place ever ask for id the rest barely check the sig.

see id is the best bet.

I do not..I write with a marker "Ask for ID"


Mr. Romance

thats pretty smart :thumbsup :thumbsup

Mine all say



SEE SIG!

Seems like a good advice.

I always sign them if the cashiers are doing their jobs correctly then they will check and deny the card. However if the card is ever lost or stolen i just call and get it cancelled no big thing. my bank card was lost a few months ago and had a new one over nighted to me via la BoA.

I only shop at places that do a retina scan.

Good idea indeed..I didn't know that

I have been writting "Ask For Photo ID" for years. The only place that gave me a hard time was the Post Office. Personally, I think it is safer.

Bingo - that's what I always do.

It's not a big deal for me to whip out my id.

funny this topic comes up.. my credit card expired a few months ago and when i got the new card i forgot to sign it, so i'm at an airport just got off a flight and go to rent a car and when i go to give her my credit card she says " its not signed" so i say "whoops i forgot here i'll do it now" and she was like "nope sorry cant do anything now because it wasnt signed" so i showed her my drivers license and she still wouldnt do it.. i even went away then came back and she still wouldnt let me.. so i just went to a phone booth , booked a car over the phone then went and picked it up lol the lady was a bit pissed i had gotten around her little roadblock..

I have "See ID" on my MC, but my Amex is signed.

No one looks anyways, maybe 1 in 30 swipes will I be asked to show my id.
And most of the time I sign my Amex with a J and then a line, not even a little bit close to the card, never been questioned, even signed with an x a few times without anyone saying anything.
Vegas is the only place that I actually asks for ID every time with see id on the back, and they will look at the signature, and because i never sign the same have to show id most of the time anyways.

Just received two new one's today.

Well not new, replacements. I was in the bank last week, and my old business, and personal cards were beat up so I ordered new cards. Anyways, in the paperwork it decrees that you must sign, or it's invalid.

Take it for what it's worth.

:2 cents:

I never sign mine...

:thumbsup

wow.. shes lucky that wasn't me. :2 cents:

:1orglaugh

i would have gone apeshit on her