Just wanted to ask if a merchant/travel agent is legally allowed to copy my driver's license and the credit card and keep? I recently did a large transacation of about a thousand dollars with a travel agent. After processing the payment, the agent took a copy of my driver's license and credit card with him. I was wondering if its legally allowed to do so? I was concerned he may post a transaction maybe an year later on my card, and I may be too busy to notice it. Is it all possible?
2006-12-28 10:18:44 · 14 answers · asked by truly_yours 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
i guess....one concern i had is .. what if he tries to sneak in a transaction of say $15.93 next year in October...and then maybe $7.93 in December...I know we all get bills and can check it...but such "innocent" transactions can get entirely unnoticed and I may end up paying for them. Is the above possible?
2006-12-28 10:35:46 · update #1
The reason they do this is to protect themselves from a "chargeback". A chargeback is a disputed charge that a merchant is often forced to refund to the cardholder if they do not have the proper documentation to prove that the cardholder actually made and understood the terms of the purchase. In the travel industry, there is an especially high level of chargebacks because folks purchase nonrefundable travel packages and then can't make the trip - then they lie, cheat and steal to get their money back. Travel agents also can't control fulfillment issues by airlines, hotels, etc. so it is VERY difficult for them to even get a merchant account. By photocopying your drivers license and credit card, they will more likely be able to prove that you were present at the time of the transaction if you dispute the charge. This is a relatively common practice.
Your risk here isn't significantly greater than it is with most credit card purchases as long as they didn't store your CVV code on the back of your card. Many businesses store your credit card # on their POS systems and many thermal credit card terminals have your full credit card number on the merchant copy and only truncate the numbers on the cardholder copy. You're always at risk of being the victim of fraud and that is why it is so important to regularly monitor your statements. I actually do it online in the middle of the month to assure that no mystery charges turn up.
Also, if you're not aware of how easily your credit card info can be stolen, check out the link below. It usually happens in places where you aren't worried about it!
2006-12-29 04:41:48 · answer #1 · answered by Jason Bordeaux 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may want to contact your bank, I worked at several hotels and up until last year, we made/kept imprint (ink stamps) of guests' credit cards. We also did the same thing with cash paying guests' ID/Driver License. We were told it is now illegal to do and don't do it anymore. But since you were working with such a large amount of money, you may want to investigate this further with your financial institution.
2006-12-28 10:23:20 · answer #2 · answered by Keyser S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can do this although I do not like it myself. As long as they do not have the cvc number, then you should be ok. I would suggest call your credit card company and tell them of your concerns. Also I would talk to the owner or manager of the travel agancy about this and ask specifically why they did that. Fraud abounds greatly and the person who took your card may in fact be up to something. You are very wise to be concerned.
2006-12-28 11:52:37 · answer #3 · answered by logan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are actually situations where they are REQUIRED to keep that type of record. Given that the transaction was with a travel agent, I would not be surprised if this is one of those situations.
2006-12-28 12:03:25 · answer #4 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't worry about it. Before they started the credit card machiens the way they are today, they used to take "imprints" of the card-- which showed expiration dates & full CC numbers. Nowadays your receipt often has all 16 digits.
2006-12-28 10:31:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's right
2016-08-08 22:36:47 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are being paranoid
if you are too busy to miss a $1000 transaction, then it doesn't really matter to you, does it?
just read the bill when it arrives and make sure you really bought that stuff
if not, dispute it.
2006-12-28 10:22:41 · answer #7 · answered by kurticus1024 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you would notice it if he charged it again. He has to keep it on file for 5 yrs - or at least that is how long i have to keep them
2006-12-28 10:32:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i doubt it...
the only record he needs would be on the system that you paid through from the card...
it is true that he can use it....
please never do this again
2006-12-28 10:20:53 · answer #9 · answered by ◄☯♫ vanitee of vanitees ♫☯► 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually they can...remember those pizza delivery guys,,thats what they do...right...
Dont worry if anything happens ...your credit card company will reimbuse you...
2006-12-28 10:21:31 · answer #10 · answered by ▒GO FLAMЄS▒ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋