do you give away your driver's license info...

...for the sake of returning an item to a store for a refund?

Requiring a person's driver's license to return an item is becoming more common. They do it in the U.S. and Canada. Home Depot and K-mart are known to do it and for items worth as little as $5 and even if the customer has a valid receipt.

Maybe the best thing is to say you don't have a driver's license or I.D. card and see what the customer service person says.

Yes, I'm aware that the argument by the retailers is that they are trying to thwart return fraud and provide the customer with a better shopping experience.

But, the last thing I want is for my info to be given to some retail database (especially frivolously for a $5 item) where I don't know what exactly happens to it or who might be able to breach the security of such a database.

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The walmart here you can cash checks at and they run all your information, if you go to return an item they also take your dl number, name birthdate and sometimes depending on if its the cranky bitch working or not, ask for you number

 

i know my DL #by heart.. and my ccw# by heart..

 

I wonder if the social security number is contained within the magnetic swipe strip on a driver's license or if it can somehow be accessed when the driver's license is swiped at a retail outlet.

Some or perhaps all states did away with having the SS number printed directly on the card due to the risk of identity theft. That doesn't necessarily mean that it can't be contained or accessed using the swiping.

Someone can really go to town with just a matched name and SS number.

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There's always at least one of those people at a retail outlet who gratify their ego by trying to wield fictitious authority onto the customer.

I have a really short fuse for people with that type of attitude. I managed to get one guy with that attitude fired from a retail store. It took some time on my part and discussions with the district manager, not to mention some complaints from other customers and a coworker who was being abused by that guy also.

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When cashing a check, your DL, thumbprint, and all sorts of things will end up in all sorts of databases with store chains... I've had that happen plenty. But never for returning anything. honestly the only thing I can think of really ever returning to a physical, real life store is a ~10 dollar item to walmart a month or so ago, and I handed them the recipt, they deducted the price of a purchase of catfood I was making, and gave me my cash... I think I also signed something... But I don't THINK they asked for my DL.

 

I dont like giving any of my info to anyone, my mom owns 2 houses and has over $50k in CC debit thats not hers.
The only place I ever really return things to is Lowes and they use either your credit card or phone number to track your returns.
The Wal Mart here had asked for my bf's ID and he refused, had some words with the lady and they ended up taking the item back anyway.

 

So store people ask you for I.D to make sure they're refunding the correct person instead of a douchebag that's stealing things and returning them? And this is a minor inconvenience to you. How. Fucking. Pathetic. And if you're returning shit for a lousy five dollars.... How. Fucking. Pathetic.

 

That's probably a good way to handle it. Willingly giving out personal info to a store, especially for something frivolous, isn't the best thing to do in the context of protecting one's identity.

I always watch what a worker at a store does with my credit card if they need it for a return or anything else. Don't let the person out of your sight. Crooks have their own swiping gadgets that they can use to gather your CC info (and possibly driver's license info now).

And yes, there are some crooks that work at retail places. Sorry if that offends the defenders of the establishment and makes little blonde-haired blue-eyed baby Jesus cry.

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HAHAHA, people are so fucking stupid, I'd love to hear the argument that requiring a drivers license for a return provides a better experience for the customer!

Of course, what did they think, you robbed some guy for his receipt? I dare you to demand a refund without I.D.

 

I have never had that happen when I had a receipt for any return. I have had to sign for the refund but it actually could be any signature as they do not seem to check it.

Only once did I have to shoe my DL and that was when I purchased a patio set and it was held until someone I knew with a pick up truck was going to get it for me. They asked for ID to hold it. I had to also show it when we picked it up. Reasonable.

I do agree that if asked for even a credit card or DL you should make sure it does not leave your sight.

When I worked in retail years ago we required it in the event of fraud the police could not action it unless there was valid identification used. So that is probably why they still do it. Then retailers also took personal checques and the same applied.

Seems rather excessive for a rinky dinky refund though.

 

I'll show you mine if you'll show me yours

 

never done it and never will


What do you think people who dont have a license do? It's starting to become a much better prospect not having any real id or cards.

 

Yeah, it's a double-edged sword. On the one hand, when I worked in retail keeping information like that on record helped us keep track of return fraud as there were quite a few "professional" shop lifting circles going on. But taking the time to collect the info from each individual made the weeks following the holidays a major hassle, and it annoys customers who just want to make an honest return.

As a customer, I don't mind providing the info because I understand it's store policy, but there's always a little red flag going off in the back of my mind when my info is given out when it's not a necessity. From working in retail, I know the employees generally don't just sit and go through customers' information records, but you never know.

 

The department store I work at (as a Customer Service Associate) only requires a Driver's License (or any other government issued photo ID) for a non-receipted return. This is done, like you said, to prevent return fraud. However when you are doing a non-receipted return, you are only able to receive store credit or a Corporate Refund. If you cannot (or do not) comply with the request of ID, we are unable to do your return. That is corporate policy. If the customer chooses a Corporate Refund (either a check or a mailed store credit, at the corporate office's discretion) it takes 7-10 days and requires even MORE information, such as your address, phone number, etc.

If you have your receipt or if you paid with a major credit card, we can look up the transaction using either the receipt code or swiping the card. No ID is required. But we can still track who you are because the receipt will give us the last 4 of your card number and the card type along with your electronic signature on the pin pad at the register (or in some older systems, the manual signature slip) so if needed, we can inform corporate of any suspected return fraud.

If this is something you're truly concerned about, the only advice I can give you is know the return policy. It's usually printed on the back of the receipt or ask your cashier while they're ringing you up. They should be able to provide you with accurate information. Also, hold on to your receipt and try to always pay in cash. With a cash transaction, there is no way for us to identify you with just a receipt. If they are insistent on seeing an ID, try telling them you left it at home because you got a ride, took the bus, changed your purse/wallet, etc and ask if you can just provide them with your phone number instead. On our register system, it's not necessarily that we need your DL number, we just need data to input in our system to finish the transaction. If the associate flat out refuses that request, ask to speak to a manager. Most managers don't want to be bothered risking a customer complaint over something as stupid as this, so they will try to override the screen or accept your offer of a telephone number instead. My managers have done this a few times.

The other thing to remember, too, is that we don't get paid very much. This translates to we don't care enough about the job to bother memorizing numbers or act shady. Our store has its own credit card and in the 3 years I have worked there, I have opened literally hundreds of credit cards for new customers. In order for me to complete the application, I need valid ID, name, current address, phone number, annual gross income and a social security number. If the customer gets approved, I have to input their account number and credit limit onto their temporary card. Obviously with all that info, I could have a field day. Any other associate in the store that solicits the store card could as well. But we don't. Because at the end of it all, we're on our feet for 8-10 shifts a day, dealing with screaming children, messy and rude customers and stressed out bosses. Identity theft or fraud is the last thing on our minds. We just want to do our jobs and go home to look forward to the meager paycheck we worked for. $8-10 per hour isn't enough for us to really give a shit. And with all the security involved in most department stores, you'd be fired and arrested before you can bat an eyelash.

Just be informed about the policy, try to use cash and hold on to the receipt. If you don't want to give out your info, you have every right not to, but don't get rude with us. We're just doing what corporate wants and what the software is designed for. Politely say you don't wish to give that info, see if there are alternative options and we'll call a manager for you.