Credit card purchase requires no signature - but you want my Zip code?

Walgreens has contracts out with the credit card companies and
insurance to cover them so you do not have to sign for transactions
under 25 dollars. But to prevent fraud you do have to periodically
provide your zip code to verify it is to the billings address.

If your debit card has a VISA logo, you ARE protected as if it were
your credit card (so long as you report the card as stolen in a timely
manner). I just read this in the newspaper yesterday. I believe the
same is also true of the MC logo, but I don't remember for sure.

I work for a certain drug store chain which you may or may not have
shopped at. We only need your zip code for American Express purchases.
If it does not match your billing zipcode, the transaction will
decline. In the pharmacy, there is no signature required for purchases
under $50. We have our agreement setup with the card companies so that
we can move you thru checkout quickly. American Express simply
requires this added bit of security in order to waive the signature.

No reply from Amex yet, though it's early.

i went to a different Walgreen's today, and they wanted.... my
SIGNATURE. go figure.

i did want to respond to Angelic Princess. she seemed surprised that
my letter to Lowe's wasn't a complaint. I don't know why; I've been
using PF for years (from the old system) and I usually use it to
compliment. **This** letter was filed as a question, not a complaint.

As for using a credit card: most of my salary goes to medical bills.
The only way I'm going to get a vacation is with Amex miles - my plan
gives triple miles for pharmacies. (Furthermore, by paying my balance
each month, my credit rating has gotten much higher!)

And for the Zip code: I didn't expect anyone to make such a big deal
out of it!! I asked a question about an event that took less than a
minute. The letter, even with problems that would bore you to tears,
took less than half an hour. I was curious as to why the store was
being nosy (especially since the cashier punched in the store Zip code
and it cleared!).

If someone steals your credit information, the cards will go to their
home. They will give their Zip code, which will match the billing.
If they really want Zip codes for a bill, it's not good security.
(Trust me on this; my mom's credit was stolen. The cards went to
another city, and about $2,000 was racked up in December of 2005.
$900 at Toys R Us, hundreds at gas station convenience stores... )

In the late 1980s, I worked as a bank teller. I know that the people
who expect the tellers to know them without a license would be the
first to complain if someone cashed a check with their name and the
teller didn't ask for ID. Where I go to the bank, the tellers know me
by name when I walk in, and I still offer my driver's license. If my
pharmacist, whom I've known since he was a kid (it was a family
business before it was bought out), required ID to dispense a
prescription, I wouldn't complain; I'd appreciate the added protection
and would appreciate their doing their jobs.

I'm looking for more security and more privacy, not less.

Hmmm... I thought Walgreens needed a signature on anything over $25...
at least of the ones around here do.

But really, what is the big deal? It was a zip code... not your social

You know.. I read your letter to Lowe's.. (which oddly wasn't a
complaint)... if your so worried about your credit.. why have the
card?

When they ask for your zip code they are doing so to find out where
most of their customers are coming from. That way they know where to
direct their flyers and COUPONS.I worked at a party store for 2 years
and for a long time we had to ask for zips. People would get so mad at
us (like it was the cashier's idea to ask for zip codes...) and many
refused. Too bad they didnt understand that giving your zip code does
NOT tell us where you live. All it did was let them know where to
concentrate their fliers and coupons. Nothing more.

Its NOT a big deal. I gave my zip code probably one million times
during that time and I MIGHT get a flyer or coupon twice a year.

So long as they dont ask for your social security number you dont have
anything to worry about.

At least the checker spoke to you. I lived in Connecticut for a year
and I could never get anyone in customer service anywhere in that
state to even look at me while I completed a transaction. It was the
most bizarre thing. I'm from the West Coast and we actually look
people in the eye and say "hello" and "thanks for shopping here". But
not there. Glad I only lived there a year. A year too long.

Zip codes are for base line demographic studies. Nothing big deal.
It's not like they are asking your for your social security number.

You seem uptight like 99.999% of all the other people in the state of
Connecticut.

Get over yourself.

It prompts you to enter your zip after you run the card. I assumed it
was to validate my card.

However, regardless of the reason, this is nowhere near as bad as
Radio Shack asking for your telephone number (which I believe they
used to do, but no more).

I can't see the harm or delay in saying your zip code - there must be
thousands of people who live there. It takes 2 seconds and doesn't
compromise your privacy.

Zip code does nothing but gives the store their base customer....Who
cares..make one up...What is the Big Deal....Stop sweating the little
stuff. At most you might end up with a Walgreens Advertisement in
your mail box with some coupons. My local Home Depot does not take
signatures on purchases under 50 dollars on credit cards any longer.
Stores look for all kinds of ways to shave seconds off the check out.
By doing this, and getting people to switch to self check outs they
eliminate payroll for cashiers or can move that staff to the sales
floor.

The signature issue I wholeheartedly agree with. It SHOULD be asked
for (and i.d. to verify it IMHO). The zip code thing always bugged me.
Radio Shack was notorious for it. When I wrote them they gave me this
"for demographics" and "advertising placement" purposes. Even the
pharmacy asks for signatures to verify or negate that "counseling" was
accepted or refused.

My solution, which has never been questioned.

Zip Code : Say calmly, 90210
Signature at Pharmacy: GW Bush, Daffy Duck, Marilyn Manson. I'm sure
they'll probably nail me on removing the tags from my pillows... but
so far I'm a free man!!

I go to Walgreens all the time. They never ask me for my zip. The only
place of I can think of that asks for my zip is Shoe Carnival. Every
single time I buy something they ask. I just tell them and go on with
my purchase. Why is it such a big deal for you not to give them you
zip?

OK, here's my take on it:

If the need for the zip code is because of credit card security, I
really don't understand why people insist on throwing a hissy fit when
they're asked. Do you not understand that its intended to protect you
from being ripped off???

Many credit cards now require both a signature AND the entry of the
billing zip code as verification. Several local gas stations in my
area no longer let you pay at the pump because they need to physically
see the card and verify the zip code. Others require the zip code be
entered at the pump. It's just an extra precaution to ensure that the
person using the card is actually authorized.

If the need is for marketing - I think they need to leave that alone.
It's no one's business and ultimately I've yet to understand how
having my zip code really helps them. They're still going to send a
bulk mailing out to every household in my neighborhood, so whats the
point?

As for the no signature, I've been seeing that alot lately and
personally, I don't like it. I don't care if the charge is $20 or
$2000, I expect whoever is taking that card to verify my signature.

This is definitely done for security purposes. If someone were to get
a hold of your credit card and try to use it, they would actually have
to know your zip for the charge to go through. I ran into a problem
like this a few months ago actually. I had recently just moved and
went to buy gas. When using my credit card at the pump, it asked me
to enter my zip code. I had a brain fart and entered my old zip code,
which of course was not part of my billing address anymore. Well,
turns out the transaction would not go through. On top of that, after
I went inside, the cashier said the system would not allow me to run
my credit card through again with the correct zip. The cashier also
treated me like I was some kind of credit card thief (which was pretty
hilarious). So I had to drive next door to the other gas station and
try again.

Actually, I believe it is AMEX that requires the zip code, and not
Walgreens. When I used to work at Wal-Mart, AMEX was the only credit
card that required it's owner to enter their zip code during the
transaction. It's not exclusive to Walgreens. However, Wal-Mart
always required a signature, while the place I work at does not. Why
is it that in this age of increasing problems with identity theft,
credit transactions are getting easier?

Oh, for crying out loud! Just give them the danged zip code. It's
not like they're going to hunt you down.

at the store i work at now.. you *HAVE* to enter a phone # if your
paying with a check, even if its unlisted. I don't see what the big
problem with giving her your zipcode... also.. with Amex.. we MUST put
the CID number in or else it won't let the transaction through. when
i worked at walgreens.. we never had to put in zip codes as far as i
can recall.

It's scary how lax places are getting with signatures. This website
details a very amusing "experiment" on this issue:

http://www.zug.com/pranks/credit/

At one point he signs his receipt "Shamu" complete with an
illustration. No one notices.

Actually, the most likely reason for asking for your zip code has to
do with getting charged more from their merchant services provider.
When they can validate a zip code, they get charged less on
interchange rates/fees. Therefore they might ask. Not all companies do
this though. Some machines default to ask. And Amex charges the
highest rates of all credit cards so I'm not surprised they were going
the extra mile of checking zip codes to save some money on the fees
they pay to accept their cards.

That's why when you use a debit card with a Visa/MC logo on it, the
terminals default to ask you for your pin. It costs them less to take
a debit charge vs. a credit charge.

However, if they were asking for a zip because of marketing, it's not
so they can send you mailers. It's more likely because they want to
see where their customers are coming from so they can perhaps put new
stores in. They can't find you via your zip code.

The complaint was snail-mailed to American Express.

I've been told by store computer programmers (though not recently)
that the marketing is done to see how well the advertising is getting
out, especially with stores like Walgreens who send out circulars on a
weekly basis.

Using the store's Zip code, which other stores have done in response
to my "No, Thank you" has never been a problem when I wouldn't give a
Zip code, so I don't think this is very "secure." I'd rather sign,
even with neuropathy in my dominant hand. I guess I'm just
old-school.

When I went to Lowe's last week, not only did I have to sign but they
also punched in the Credit Card Verification code on the back of my
card. I liked that and should, actually, drop Lowe's a note.

Walgreens replied via eMail, but the response isn't exactly legible.
(As in, the author may have a second job writing about having been
discriminated against, for Planet Feedback submission - yeah, it's
THAT bad.)

I'm going to send AmEx's reply to my Contract Law teacher, since one
example he gave to us for contracts was using our credit cards, and
signing. (We brought up using our cards at self-serve gas stations,
where no signature is required, and that was an implied agreement.)
If nothing else, the response should be helpful to future classes.

I appreciate the comments. I actually logged in to comment to
TigerDirect guy, but I'm glad I checked here, first.

The system asks for your zip code to match it to the billing zip code.
I've had a number of places do this from gas stations to renting
DVD's from "The Big Red Box".

How can you be contacted for marketing research if all they have is
your zip code?

This is a statement from American Express's own website.
_______________________________________________

American Express has always been committed to protecting your privacy
and security. In fact, there are many measures we take to protect our
Cardmembers that you may not be aware of.

For example, we use the latest technology to keep your account number
secure, and we have a clearly stated online privacy protection policy
we stand by.

Zip code verification and CID verification are two more ways we help
prevent anyone else from using your Card.

When you use your American Express Card at some retail stores, you
may be asked to provide your billing zip code. American Express
compares that information with the zip code we have on file to help
confirm that it is you using the Card. This information is for
security purposes only. It will not be used for marketing purposes,
and is not retained by the merchant.

"CID" stands for Card Identification Digits. Some merchants now ask
for the CID on your American Express Card when you shop online or on
the phone. This allows American Express to verify that the number
given matches your records, helping to protect your account from
fraudulent use.

https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/cda/dynamic.jsp?name=WhatWeDo
_SharedDetailsALL&type=intBenefitDetail

One other thing. Purchases under a certain amount, a lot of times,
don't require a signature now-a-days. Most credit card companies
don't require (and do not want) the retailer to check ID (for the
convenience of its customers). This is all listed in the contracts
that the retailers make with the credit card companies. Who pays for
the purchase if the purchase was done with a stolen card? The credit
card company will eventually. They'll ask for proof from the
retailer. The retailer will send the proof that there was a
transaction and then the credit card company will end up "eating" the
cost of the purchase.
In fact I'll be doing this very thing tomorrow morning.

I will "ditto" what Jeff said. If you want to complain you should
complain to American Express. They are the ones that requested that
Walgreens and other retailers ask for a zip code for security reasons.
The last thing it's for is for "market research". If a clerk asks
for a zip code even before a transaction occurs or before any form of
payment is presented then you can maybe assume it's for market
research.

I've never had a customer complain to me because one of my clerks
asked for a zip code with the use of a credit card. They've seemed
rather delighted with the request since they know it's for security
reasons.

The clerk has no option to bypass the system. It's not about them
"following policy". The transaction WILL NOT go through until a
correct zip code is entered. Once again, send your complaint to
American Express.

More places are requiring a zip code for a swiped credit card. It's
easier than tracking signatures and, in theory, adds a measure of
security (the person using the stolen card would need your zip code).

My gas station, for example, requires you to enter the zip code when
you pay at the pump.

It's not for market research. And, even if it were, so what? What do
you care if they know what zip code their customers are coming from?
In fact, you SHOULD care that they have the correct zip code so that
your area can be best served by the store. You may not want coupons
sent to people in your neighborhood, but then you can't complain when
others are getting discounts you are not.

It's not like they have your phone number.

And the fact that the person behind you was getting impatient: it's
because you were arguing instead of simply providing a simple 5
digits... that don't compromise your privacy much.

All of this said, if a wrong zip code was accepted, they likely aren't
(yet) using it for security. My gas station won't allow the
transaction if an incorrect zip code is used. At least, I don't
think...