in Colorado, is it illegal for a salesperson to ask for a photo id in addition to a credit card?

Question

A guy came into our strore and claimed we couldn't force him to show us an id to prove he owned his credit card. Is that true? references please.

Answer 1

True you can't force him to give you I.D. However, you also have no obligation to accept his credit card if you are not confident he is the owner.

Answer 2

You can always ask for an ID if a customer is making a purchase with a credit card.

What you might be thinking of its using a credit card as a form of ID. Sometimes if a customer is writing a check, the merchant might ask for a picture ID and a major credit card. IN this case the credit card is like a second form on ID. In some states this is Illegal.

Answer 3

I can't show you a reference because I can't show you all the Colorado statutes that don't say this.

I do however refer you to the Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 6, Article 1, Section 711 which prohibitis printing more than the last 5 digits of a card number and specifically states that the general assembly "...finds, determines, and declares that protection from unauthorized use of credit card accounts is necessary.

You'd think that a general assembly that made such a finding would have no heartburn with your asking for ID, right?

The merchant agreement with the card company may contain an agreement not to require additional ID of their cardholders, however. You may want to review your merchant agreements to see if such a prohibition exists, or just call them.

Answer 4

The card may be signed, but how do you know that person signed it? Its a common business practice to id someone using a credit card. To do anything else in a day and age of skyrocketing fraud is simply foolish. Besides, if the store were acting in any way inmproperly with this practice someone would have enjoined the store from doing it some time ago. In addition, to sue your store the customer must have some quantifiable damage in order to even bring an action, let alone prevail. The customer was just being a jerk, dont worry about it.

Answer 5

I dont live in Colorado,nor have I ever, but I can't believe that is true because I work in retail and American Express REQUIRES the retailer verify that only the card holder is using the credit card, because if anyone else charges any amount of money on the card, the card holder is not responsible for the charges, and American Express will not pay the store for the purchase. Therefore the cashiers HAVE to ask for ID, store policy, on all AMEX cards, no exception. (and we have stores in every state with the same rules on this matter in each one)
Plus, any store can refuse to sell any product to any person for any reason, as long as it isn't discriminating on race, color, creed, etc. So if someone doesnt want to show ID for a card, you dont have to accept that form of payment for the product.

Answer 6

I live in CO...I was under the impression that u cannot ask for an ID if it is a Debit card and signed on the back. Debit is the same as cash...not just credit. I was told this by my boss for when I take cc payments for fines. Also...when my lil brother needs money my mom goves him her debit card to get what he needs and he's never had a prob. Sorry I can't actually provide concrete facts, but hope this helps.

Answer 7

You, as the store, are under no obligation to accept a credit card at all. You can ask for ID, but if you do it for one, do it for all or you could face a discrimination suit later. Also, carefully check your agreements with the credit card companies. You never know when they change. It's always possible they could sneak a "do not ask for ID" clause into it.

Answer 8

No, it is not illegal to ask for such proof. Tell the guy to go shop somewhere else if he/she does not want to show an ID.

I appreciate being asked for a pix ID when I use my card. In fact, I wrote on the back of my card, over the signature line "REQUEST PHOTO ID"

Answer 9

call you local police authority
either your police or sheriff - they will know
talk to a deputy or an officer

and if you run the card and it shows 'pick up'
you make money because the credit card company will pay you a fee ($25?) to pick THEIR card up -

he does not own the card - the credit card company does -
and they can ask for it back at ANY time!

Answer 10

No refrences here, but as the store owner you have the right to refuse service. I say having him show I.D. is a sensible approach, especially with the frequent credit card abuse going on.