I'm sometimes asked to show my ID at checkout. I look 26-30 years old and do not buy any alcohol. I have observed the cashier does not ask ID to the people ahead of me. I have wondered if it is the way I dress or is it because I'm not white. I always use the "credit" option. Not debit.
Now I would like to know how legal is it to not ask ID for the preceding person and pick me for proof of ID. Can I deny showing my ID? Can I file a suit against the store for discrimination?
2007-09-30 13:32:04 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
This is in san jose, california
2007-09-30 13:32:46 · update #1
I dont think the price of my purchase is an issue. I did a regular grocery shopping which comes to 50-75 dollars in san jose. I cant say for sure of the cost, but the previous person had a cart full while I did not.
2007-09-30 13:38:06 · update #2
the previous person also paid with credit card.
I'm positive on this.
2007-09-30 13:41:23 · update #3
FOLKS: I'm not saying it is not right for them to ask my ID. My question is can they randomly ask me and not ask the person in front of me ?.
If a law is not applied to everyone then that is discrimination. isn't that so ?
2007-09-30 13:42:53 · update #4
I know my usage of the word random is self defeating. If should have used "seemingly random" instead.
2007-10-01 08:31:10 · update #5
Yes. It is perfectly legal. You can deny showing the cashier your ID, however the cashier can terminate the ENTIRE SALE at that point. It does not matter why the cashier did not ask ID of the previous people (there are plenty of reasons why....such as familiarity, an alerty system, etc.).
Please keep in mind that many cash register's randomly tell the cashier he/she MUST enter an ID# or call a manager in order to continue the transaction, without any regard to what is sold to the individual. This is a "theft prevention" device.
2007-09-30 13:36:30 · answer #1 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing illegal about a store requesting ID. There are laws in various states which prohibit stores from requesting personal information, or writing down information from your ID.
I've had a business for years in which I take credit cards. In my agreements with the card companies. all I need to do is compare signatures. If their card is not signed, then I do need ID in order to compare signatures. I can ask for their ID anyway, but my agreement with the credit card company does not require it, nor can I refuse to honor a customer's card simply on the basis of ID. A customer who has faced such an issue has only one recourse, complain to the company which issued his credit card, but it will be fairly pointless.
Stores often use the excuse that it's for the customer's own protection. This is NOT true. Card holder liability for lost cards is limited by law to a maximum of $50 and that's only if the card hasn't been reported as lost for more than 3 days. Most card companies do not even enforce the $50 liability.
Remember the Visa debit card commercials? How the cards are better than checks because you need ID for checks but not for the card? Well, demanding ID for the card makes a liar out of the commercial, but it's not Visa doing the demanding. It's the store. Stores do not lose money on any purchase authorized by the card transaction.
I've refused to do business with some stores over their policy. Some stores have changed their policy while others stubbornly adhere to it, thereby losing business.
2007-09-30 13:50:28 · answer #2 · answered by Marc X 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The law does not say they have to id every person in line. If the person ahead of you paid in cash...and is not buying alcohol - there is no need to id.
You may be getting id'd because you used it as a credit card and the cashier is making sure that someone has not stolen your card and run amok charging things on it. I had a credit card stolen and used fraudulently. The only stores were she was not able to use my card fraudulently were the ones that id'd her. Funny... at those stores...she decided she did not want the merchandise. I was not held liable for the purchases...but I spent a lot of days getting the matter straightened out. Not to mention...it just plan pissed me off that it happened. How dare she!
Since that has happened to me... I am thankful each time a cashier asks for my drivers license when I use my card. And given that I'm in my mid 30's - I darn near jump over the counter and kiss 'um if they id me because I am buying alcohol!!
2007-09-30 14:00:05 · answer #3 · answered by Boots 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be within your rights to ask why you need produce any kind of I.D. to make a purchase that does not involve alcohol or tobacco. If it happens again ask to speak to the manager of the store and don't budge until you receive a legitimate explanation. Start documenting the dates, times and stores this is happening at and keep it current. Also jot down if the person before you was asked or not and the color of their skin. Call any organization that may be able to help you or provide legal counselling and then go after these people. Good luck!
2007-09-30 14:02:02 · answer #4 · answered by Chris B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sucks to be other then white and that is the bottom line in the states.
What they are doing is not illegal.
When you use the credit option, you will be asked for ID
Debt card, if the money is not in the bank, you won't get your items. They don't care about ID because your password protects you and them, plus they instantly get their money. Virtually no risk to the business.
Credit card fraud is a big problem, that is another reason.
Try paying with a check.
Peace
Jim
.
2007-09-30 13:57:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is legal, and it might not be the way you think it is. The people or person ahead of you might have not been IDed because they were a regular customer or maybe a friend of the cashiers so there might have not been a need to ID.
2007-09-30 13:48:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its probably because you use credit and not debit, the people at the register are supposed to check the signatures, no you can't file a suit against the store, they're doing nothing wrong by asking for your id, they may get in trouble for selling something to a minor and not asking for id, but that's a different story
2007-09-30 13:37:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are asked to show ID because you are using a credit card as your form of payment. In order to use a credit card the cashier needs to match the name on the credit card to the name on your ID.
Did it ever occur to you the people in line in front of you used an alternative form of payment than the one you selected?
2007-09-30 13:37:04 · answer #8 · answered by Smitty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can ask anyone for ID if they want. There is nothing you can do. Actually, I think if you were to have a favorite store to buy beer or cigarettes, even if you go in every single day to buy something I think they are supposed card you every time, but I am not sure.
If you look under 27 they're supposed to card you.
2007-09-30 13:37:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. They can ask for ID whenever you are buying alcohol, cigarettes, or other adult material whenever they feel they need to. If you weren't purchasing any of those, than maybe it is their policy to ask for ID when you use a credit card... the people in front of you probably use cash or debit cards.
2007-09-30 13:36:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋