Comments on: Financial Urban Myths

By: Flexo

Flexo — Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:16:47 +0000

What Jerry says is true — the card must be signed to be accepted — but most cashiers don’t know that or don’t care. If they see, “Ask for ID” or somesuch remark, they’ll do it (if they have half a brain). Even still, I don’t think it’s a good fraud deterrent. Leaving the back of the card blank is not suggested, even though it’s what I generally do until some cashier makes me sign it in front of him.

By: Jerry Kindall

Jerry Kindall — Tue, 25 Oct 2005 23:31:49 +0000

Actually, merchants are not supposed to accept the card if it’s not signed. Cards must be signed to be valid. “SEE PHOTO ID” is not a signature and a card so “signed” is not valid. The Post Office is one outfit, I’ve been told, that actually won’t accept a card that says “SEE PHOTO ID” on the back, but NO merchant should. Call your credit card issuer if you don’t believe me.

By: Alex Givant

Alex Givant — Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:23:11 +0000

Not signing back of the credit card make sense. Put there “Photo ID required”. At least, if cashier try to compare signature, it’ll make life of the thief a bit more complicated.

By: F. D. Bryant III

F. D. Bryant III — Sun, 16 Oct 2005 05:48:26 +0000

I’ve never quite figured out how signing the card does anything to protect you.

By: Caitlin

Caitlin — Sat, 15 Oct 2005 02:20:50 +0000

I’ve never heard any of these! LOL

Though I do think that #6 should be more specific and mention leaving the back of your card *blank* – I now put “Photo ID required” on the back in the signature panel and almost every merchant looks, then asks for ID (I am not yet in the habit of having my ID ready) and I always thank them for checking. Of course…there are the very few who don’t look, but they aren’t checking the signature either so they’re a lost cause either way.