Are businesses going too far in protecting from identity theft?

[bsmooth]

Did you write see id on the back where you are supposed to sign it?

You do not need too. Many state laws say that if there is no signature, you have to ask for id.

[Phishfan]

Years ago, I actually had a retailer refuse the "see ID" option. My bank card actually says on the back "Not valid unless signed".

[tepop84]

You do not need too. Many state laws say that if there is no signature, you have to ask for id.

No, the back needs to be signed.  "see id" is not valid to put on the signature line, and you should make the customer sign the card if it says see id.

[Pappy13]

If anyone steals my debit card, the last thing I expect them to do is pay my bills off for me before taking the rest of my money.

And what is to prevent them from paying off THEIR bills with your debit card? If they don't ask for ID, how do they know that the debit card belongs to the person that is paying their bill?

[masterfins]

^^^ I think the point PhishFan was making is that the name on the card is the same name on the bill being paid...so why the need to see ID.  I could see if the name on the card was different than that of the bill being paid.

[Pappy13]

^^ It's simply easier to make the rule that you must see ID rather than make a rule that you must see ID if the name on the card doesn't match the name on the account.  What if the name is close? My water bill has my name on it, so if I pay the bill then I can use my debit card, but my wife would have to show her ID? That's silly too. You have to draw the line somewhere, most businesses stick to the KISS method when doing business, Keep It Simple Stupid.