Mastercard and Visa do not require ID to process payment. Merchants may ask for ID, but may NOT refuse to sell to you if you do not show ID.

“Although Visa rules do not preclude merchants from asking for cardholder ID, merchants cannot make an ID a condition of acceptance. Therefore, merchants cannot refuse to complete a transaction because a cardholder refuses to provide ID. Visa believes merchants should not ask for ID as part of their regular card acceptance procedures.”

You may refuse to show ID and the merchant can not deny your purchase if the card was approved. If they do deny purchase you can report this to the respective cards’ merchant services division.

Mastercard’s Violation Report Form

Visa does not do the web form, but does have a phone number: 1-800-VISA-911

This is a big issue for me because so many retailers are now asking for ID and requiring it. This is against the merchant agreement and then the person behind the counter and the manager too, get all mad at a person for bringing this up. Argh!

OH and if you don’t believe me, here is the pdf from Visa for the merchant agreement.

Oh, one more thing, please do not put “See ID” or “Ask for ID” on a credit card. This INVALIDATES the card and technically I am not supposed to take it for payment if you do it. If I do take it I am liable for any chargebacks from fraud. Also, I am not supposed to take it if you do not immediately sign the card for me in front of me with photo ID shown to me and signatures compared. Bottom line, do not put “See ID” on a card as it is a bad thing not a good one.

 

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