The Absurdity of ID

[alowlypotato]

Ah, identification! Sometimes, it's just...a hassle to have to break it out. Maybe you tossed your purse into the backseat while in a hurry or an unexpected fit of rage. Maybe you accidentally slipped it into the wrong slot in your wallet. Or maybe you just absentmindedly left in the car. So, someone asks you for ID, and it's like, "aw CRAP!"

But, those annoying instances aside, we can all agree that it's needed at times -- right?

Wrong! You see, my friends, I have recently learned that the concept of checking ID is absurd! Yes, that's right. I acquired this information just yesterday, in a rather indirect manner, by a woman with whom my coworker was working. Said woman wanted to cash a check, which is typically (and quite UNJUSTLY) a request that requires ID. Coworker, being a diligent and policy-minded individual, therefore inquired:

CW: May I see your ID?
Woman: *becomes filled with righteous anger* I can't believe this. I just can't believe this! Why do you have to see it?
CW: I just want to make sure no one else gets your money
Woman: *reluctantly produces her ID and mutters angrily*
CW: I'm...sorry...
Woman: No, it's not your fault. It's just absurd, ABSURD, that you have to check my ID for this. People can get your information no matter what you do nowadays, with computers and technology and everything. There's nothing you can do to protect your identity, you know. And statistically speaking, identify theft is very rare anyway. It hardly ever happens. So there's really no point at all to seeing my ID.
CW: *not wanting to get into a losing argument, when she's already won the most important battle* Well, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree! *winning smile*
Woman: I guess, but listen. If someone were really gonna try to steal my money, or get into my account, they'd be a lot more clever about it than this.

Brilliance! Sheer brilliance! Yes, there's nothing that can be done to stop identity theft altogether, so why even try? Let go of your silly notions of control and be FREEEEEE!

In all seriousness, though, the reason people have to be clever about messing with someone's account is because we do things like checking ID. If we didn't check ID, if we just took a person's word at face value, then anyone with lady bits and this woman's name could access her funds. Ba-BAM!

Sheesh. The whole "what, ID? AHHHHH HOW DARE YOU" is one complaint I'm just never gonna get used to, man.

[TonyF]

I don't get it, either.

I get grief from customers sometimes about this. It takes, what, two seconds to take it out of your pocket?

Some even whine, "But, I AM over (whatever age limit)!" or "It's me! Not someone else!"

How do I know? Some 17-year-olds can look 30 by not shaving their beard. Plus, I rarely take any customer's word, anyways. Some people are so paranoid that they think I'm going to record their address. I don't care about their address. I just check if the ID is valid, real, and the picture matches.

How long has this ID policy been in place at businesses? Why are people still having such a hard time with it?

[EricKei]

How long has this ID policy been in place at businesses? Why are people still having such a hard time with it?

Pretty much since time began, as far as I can tell >_>

[MelodiousBubbles]

One thing I always loved about the FE was carding people. Especially people I KNEW were over 21, but they were dicks. They'd say they didn't have their ID, and then I wouldn't be able to sell to them at all because I'd asked

Sorry, state law. Once I've asked you for ID, if you don't produce that magical little card, I can't sell to you. No, even if you throw a hissy fit all over the place, I can't do it. Bonus points if you ask one of my coworkers to vouch for you. You're an ass. They're going to say they can't remember. We're a fricken team like that.

Then again, I'm a sadistic, evil FE overlord. I like popping your bubble. It makes me giggle.



But back to your thing. Seriously? She threw that much of a fit over giving you ID for a check? Seems a little stupid to me, but I don't think like an SC.

[vstorevigilante]

Yes, I had a similar experience when I worked at Hellmart, only it was with a woman needing to sign her credit slip, which is like, the basest form of identity protection. She acted like it wasn't a huge deal with me, but when she was leaving gave the greeter a (very loud) earful about how our company was insane and how she'd never encountered anywhere else she'd had to sign her credit slip.

Rant went on for 5 minutes.

::

[mikoyan29]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have no problem when someone asks me for an ID. I understand that it is part of the policy and am not about to think I'm above the law. I understand that it can be a hassle to dig through your purse or whatever but it is more of a hassle when stuff gets stolen from your account(s) and you have to try to clear that up.

[Andara Bledin]

You know who ID policies for check really protect? The stores.

And I'm quite good with that. I'd rather that the store didn't lose the money that they should have gotten for the goods since a high loss total means higher prices that I'd have to pay if they didn't take simple precautions such as checking to make sure people attempting to cash checks or use credit cards were, indeed, authorized to be doing so.

^-.-^

[BookstoreEscapee]

I got carded for cough syrup the other day. And my ID was under a bunch of other stuff in the pocket of my wallet, so I had to dig for it. And I felt like absolute crap. Did I complain? No.

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

I know I'll get carded (I have a sweet, innocent-type face). I just save everyone some time and have it out before I get to the counter.

Biggest DUH move one can make, really. Better to have it ready.

[CrazedClerkthe2nd]

You know who ID policies for check really protect? The stores.

And I'm quite good with that. I'd rather that the store didn't lose the money that they should have gotten for the goods since a high loss total means higher prices that I'd have to pay if they didn't take simple precautions such as checking to make sure people attempting to cash checks or use credit cards were, indeed, authorized to be doing so.

^-.-^

This is also true of stores that require ID on credit card purchases, which is becoming more and more common.

There used to be a time when you generally COULD take someone at their word most of the time. Sadly, there are so many liars, cheats and scammers these days you pretty much have to stay in a DTA mindset all the time.

[Kristev]

I'm glad when people ask me to give them id. It makes me feel much more secure. And besides, I love showing off my passport.

[Andara Bledin]

There used to be a time when you generally COULD take someone at their word most of the time. Sadly, there are so many liars, cheats and scammers these days you pretty much have to stay in a DTA mindset all the time.

The moment a city gets large enough that you can no longer recognize all of your fellow townies, then it's time to start checking ID.

It's not that there are any more dishonest people in the world; it's just that we don't know which ones they are by sight.

^-.-^

[MadMike]

Did it ever occur to her that identity theft is so rare because people check IDs?

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Did it ever occur to her that identity theft is so rare because people check IDs?

Probably not. But then she sounds like the type who's so bright you could stick a light bulb in her ass and it'd glow in the dark.

Also, while I'm not sure about other retailers, ours doesn't accept ID that's originated from another country, such as the guy who came through my register last night wanting to buy a 40 oz beer.

Long story short, his ID card was from outside the US and unless it's a state issued ID or driver's license or US government issued (such as a military ID card) we cannot accept it and sell you anything that has age restrictions (ie, tobacco and/or alcohol.)

We have a hard enough time trying to make sure that state and federal ID's are valid, we simply don't have the capacity to know every country's ID cards and what they're supposed to look like so how can we even be sure that they're are in fact valid and not faked?

[wolfie]

Also, while I'm not sure about other retailers, ours doesn't accept ID that's originated from another country, such as the guy who came through my register last night wanting to buy a 40 oz beer.

Not even a passport (presumably the format of passports is pretty standard worldwide)? Then how are the tourists supposed to be able to buy their booze and smokes?