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From Cecil's Mailbag by the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board
Dear Straight Dope:
The other day I read a report explaining why we should not sign the
back of our credit cards so we will be forced to show our drivers
license when we use it. That's suppose to protect us just in case
someone steels it. But, the back of the credit card indicates that
the card is not valid unless is signed. Who should we believe?
--Derek0701
SDSTAFF Ken replies:
You should believe me, as I have worked in retail, for a company
that issues its own credit cards. Here's our official advice on
signing the strip on the back: Don't sign it. It's useless as a
deterrent, as anyone who takes your card then has a sample of your
signature which they can not only use on any charge slip, but on
your checks as well. However, do not leave the white strip blank.
In that space, write: "Ask For Picture ID," and be prepared to back
that up someday when you're in a hurry and the clerk wants to see
a driver's license as well as the card. It makes the charge
transaction a little longer, but a lot safer.
SDSTAFF Dex adds:
I concur with Ken. That's what I was told when I lost a card, which
I didn't realize until I got a statement with purchase of furs,
$3000 or so. Their signature was a reasonable facsimile of mine, I
mean, I could tell it wasn't mine by looking, but a clerk looking
quickly wouldnta. (Turned out OK, I had to sign a notarized
affadavit that I didn't buy them ... and since I was out of the
country on the purchase date, I
had proof if needed). In the aftermath, the store suggested exactly
what Ken said, writing "ASK FOR PHOTO ID" in the signature block.
Occasionally takes a little more time, but avoids later
hassles.
--SDSTAFF Ken and SDSTAFF Dex
Straight Dope Science Advisory Board
Cecil's Mailbag is researched and written by members of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, Cecil's online auxiliary. Although the SDSAB does its best, these articles are edited by Ed Zotti, not Cecil, so accuracywise you'd better keep your fingers crossed.
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