Thread: The truth about credit card signature laws

By law, a signature is all that is required for a credit card purchase. No drivers license or photo ID is required. If the back of your credit card is not signed and purchases are made with it, by law you are not obligated to pay them. This is what I have been told and I would like to know if this information is correct.

Thank you.

Sort of. As far as I'm aware, you can't be required to show ID as long as the back is signed. Personally, I wish everyone made you show ID for every CC purchase (or at least ask for the billing zip) - it'd sure as heck make me feel safer knowing that someone couldn't find my card if I dropped it and go max it out in 10 minutes at walmart.

As far as not signing the card goes... common sense takes factor there. If you forgot to sign the back of your card but rack up a balance on it, you're still going to have to pay it off. Even if it went to court, I'd be shocked if the case wasn't just thrown out. People forget to sign the back and/or the signature rubs off with time constantly. Law and fine print can only go so far.

Originally Posted by c0Ld

As far as I'm aware, you can't be required to show ID as long as the back is signed.

If there is no requirement to show your ID when you use your credit card, then why do certain stores ask for it anyway? If I am asked to show ID at one of these places and refuse (or tell them I don't have it on me), are they required to complete the transaction anyway?

Originally Posted by AmanteDecor

If there is no requirement to show your ID when you use your credit card, then why do certain stores ask for it anyway? If I am asked to show ID at one of these places and refuse (or tell them I don't have it on me), are they required to complete the transaction anyway?

This is partially correct. There is no LAW against asking for ID (except in California). The agreements that the merchants sign does prohibit them from asking for ID. But this is rarely enforced these days because of security concerns. If you refuse to show ID and they refuse to take you card, what would you do?

Thank you for the answers this forum is fascinating and you are all very knowledgeable! In my state next time I forget my drivers license is there a magic phrase to say to get the store to follow thru with my credit card purchase with only the signature?

Originally Posted by jerigan

Thank you for the answers this forum is fascinating and you are all very knowledgeable! In my state next time I forget my drivers license is there a magic phrase to say to get the store to follow thru with my credit card purchase with only the signature?

How about "Please, I forgot my ID." If that doesn't work then your best option is to go home and get your ID.

I never knew this.

Who would have thought!

Asking for an ID may not seem like a big deal but there are occasions where I don't like carrying it on me. If I am out for a jog I may toss a credit card in my pocket. Same at the lake or beach. If it falls out no sweat but if a drivers license is lost going to the DMV can take hours. I get stressed out carrying around an ID in those situations because I'm always fearing it will be lost.

Originally Posted by jerigan

Asking for an ID may not seem like a big deal but there are occasions where I don't like carrying it on me. If I am out for a jog I may toss a credit card in my pocket. Same at the lake or beach. If it falls out no sweat but if a drivers license is lost going to the DMV can take hours. I get stressed out carrying around an ID in those situations because I'm always fearing it will be lost.

If you lose your card, sure no sweat for you. You just call up, get a new one and move on. Meanwhile when someone finds it and charges something to it, the merchant loses real money. I bet you would feel differently if you were held accountable for charges made after you lose your card!