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No Signature Required

October 19th, 2009 at 07:04 pm


I've been noticing that more and more stores do not require a signature when you use a credit card, depending on the amount of the transaction. I like to pay for everything with a credit card for the rewards, and then I pay the balance in full each month. Yesterday I made a small purchase at Costco (~$27) and I was told I did not need to sign my AmEx receipt because the total was less than $100. This also happened to me a few weeks ago at Target with a purchase less than $50. Noah's Bagles at the airport and theaters are another example.

Although this practice streamlines checkout, my concern is that it makes fraud a lot easier. Years ago, when my purse was stolen, the thief ran up a huge debt with my credit card at the gas pump... he must have filled up the cars of every Tom, Dick, and Harry he knew. No signature or verification was required... he just had to slip the card into the machine at the pump. Now at least they ask for a zip code, but if someone has your license, this is easy to get.

I was thinking this was a CA practice until it happened here in ID. Is anyone else seeing the same trend?

7 Responses to “No Signature Required”

  1. monkeymama Says:
    1255976392

    In Cali I am so confused because I never know when they need a signature. It is good info to know, that's a $100 or less thing, perhaps. Walgreens never asks for a signature, and I often spend under $10. That probably explains it. Grocery store will always ask for a signature. Maybe Target has a price limit and that is why I am surprised sometimes when they do ask.

    In Sacramento I always noticed they tend to ask for IDs with purchases. Not at all in San Jose (in the past anyway). It just has always struck me as odd. Legally, don't think they are supposed to. (Incidents where people buy large items and store clerks write down their address to rob them, etc. Supposed to be consumer protection to not have to show ID).

    I am not personally too worried, though major victim of ID theft. Our credit card companies always detect any fraud before we do. Signatures seem rather moot to banks. They are not really utilized in the same ways they used to be. These days you could forget to sign a check and the bank would never notice.

  2. dmontngrey Says:
    1255979928

    I'm in MA. I've seen it at local grocery store chains, Walgreens, CVS. All for purchases under $25 - I've been told when I asked.

    I don't like it either.

  3. M E 2 Says:
    1255984020



    Most retailers I have encountered with the "no signature required" for a credit card purchase are those ONLY under $25.


    However, at my place of employment, for the past 2 years or so, when someone pays with a credit card, and the amount is generally between $100 - $500, it has come up : no signature required.

    To the best of my knowledge, this was NOT implemented at our request.

  4. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1256004915

    I've experienced it here in TX at Target and Walgreen's for the smaller purchases. It is a bit disconcerting, but also does speed the whole thing up.

  5. whitestripe Says:
    1256007387

    it is different here, you must always sign if a signature is required. but last year they started putting PINs with credit cards, which makes the whole process a lot easier and safer.

  6. Counting Pennies Says:
    1256009661

    This drives me crazy too! Target is really bad about this and then I always get that little piece of paper that comes out with the receipt that I'm pre-approved for their Credit Card which I do not want at all. Kind of scary.

    But what drives me even more crazy is that I have "ASK FOR I.D." on the back of all my credit cards next to my signature and some people are good about asking and the others just look at it and swipe without asking. And some don't bother to look at the back.

  7. ktmarvels Says:
    1256043070

    Sometimes it even varies within the store...I work at CVS and back at the pharmacy you don't have to sign if it's under $50, but in the front of the store, you have to sign if it's over $25.

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