Comments on: No, You Cannot Scan My ID

By: Amy Turilli

Amy Turilli — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:14:14 +0000

Target is not the only retailer collecting your information. Best Buy, Michael’s Arts and Crafts, Victoria Secrets and Bed Bath and Beyond are four retailers that will not allow an exchange or refund unless you allow them to swipe your driver license, state issued I.D., Military I.D., or passport. If the document does not contain a magnetic strip, the clerk will physically enter the number into their computer. But these retailers are not storing your information. Best Buy uses a third party called Retail Equation; that company store your information, not the retailer. The retailer won’t divulge this information at the time of purchase, nor while they are swiping your information during a return or refund. When I lived in California retailers once asked for my zip code, but that practice has since been outlawed. If it is considered an invasion of privacy to merely ask for a zip code, why is it not an invasion of privacy to harvest my personal information from my driver license, then deliver that information to an off-site third party. What exactly is Retail Equation doing with my information?

By: 2011, The Year That Was | Fred Posner (.com)

2011, The Year That Was | Fred Posner (.com) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 02:43:53 +0000

[...] No, You Cannot Scan My ID (aka the Target rant) [...]

By: Jerry Gorham

Jerry Gorham — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:56:04 +0000

I just had the exact same experience in a Santa Fe Target store. I knew enough about their crazy policy for cold medicines, but didn’t realize that compressed air was such dangerous stuff! I thought the cashier wanted my id to check my credit card, as often happens, but before I knew it she had scanned my driver’s license. (I’m a middle aged man, btw). I told her that after shopping at Target every couple of weeks for 6 years, I wouldn’t be back this time. Enough is enough. From now on, my license will not leave my wallet and no one will be scanning it.

By: Fred Posner

Fred Posner — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:58:24 +0000

Great domain name.

By: Christopher Wall

Christopher Wall — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:23:28 +0000

Greets Fred, seems like we’re in the same boat. I ran across the same thickskullery at Target last night – seems like they’re doing this everywhere. I was surprised to find your post this morning when I was searching out laws in my area that would require them to do this (hint: I haven’t found any so far… ). Anyhow, here’s my tale of woe: http://blog.dangerbacon.com/2011/12/28/canned-air-the-real-menace/

By: Fred Posner

Fred Posner — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 04:36:32 +0000

One of the earliest comments suggested we make our own ID or change the mag reader. In Florida, the won’t let you keep your old ID intact, I’m not sure of the other states. I also like the idea of showing a passport which couldn’t be scanned.

By: Claude

Claude — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 23:45:00 +0000

My only question is could you not give them a old id with your info blocked out like an old state id or drivers license. Just a thought

By: Sorry, Target / Target.com, but you have no right! « Kris’ Blog

Sorry, Target / Target.com, but you have no right! « Kris’ Blog — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:05:10 +0000

[...] Fred [...]

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:39:41 +0000

I ran across this today while shopping for Christmas presents at Target. I was asked for my ID so I proceeded to flip my Washington State drivers license out from my bill fold. I was informed that they had to scan it. I told them that no, they could scan the back but they could see my ID. They of course scanned it anyway and told me that none of my information would be recorded, but honestly? I don’t believe that. I should have walked away from the purchase all together (1.5 hours of shopping and $~200 in stocking stuffers), but I did not. I think I will go back just to try out the age override. If they won’t do it, I’ll leave the entire purchase at the counter and walk away. I say boycott Target for any purchases requiring an ID scan until they change their policy.

By: Fred Posner

Fred Posner — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:17:11 +0000

Once you hand them your id… consider it scanned.

By: Mark L. G.

Mark L. G. — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:48:47 +0000

So check this out….. I have been refusing to let Target scan/swipe my DL whenever I purchase a mature game. (I am 40 years old) for the last year or so. Some workers understand and others treat it like an inconvenience to them because now they have to radio in to a manager for a date of birth override. Ok, so here is where I am pissed… I went back to target to do a price match on a mature game that I purchased less than a week before. The woman at customer service was very friendly, she told me that the computer is asking for my ID because it is a mature rated game. (on a price adjustment?) I’m not sure how they do the price adjustments there, I am assuming they credit it as a refund and then make another transaction for the new lower price? So, as I am handing her my ID, I tell her very clearly, that I do NOT want my ID scanned and that she will have to have a manager override. She says ok, takes my ID and then one split second later, she scans my card!! Un-flipping believable!!! “Why did you just scan my ID when I specifically told you that I don’t want it scanned?” Is what I rudely asked her. Her reply was very apologetic she said she was sorry that she just scanned it without thinking. Then she said, I can get a manager here to do the manual DOB entry. I told her “It’s too late!!! you already scanned it!” She apologized again, and told me sorry it was her fault, at which point I looked her in the eyes and said, “No, it’s my fault for actually handing over my ID to you and expecting to to follow my simple request on not having my personal information scanned into a target database! I, could tell that I upset her, but I was pretty upset too. Maybe next time she will pay more attention to some ones request when it comes to scanning ID’s. So, what I have learned from this, is I will never hand over my ID again, I will hold it in my hands and let someone read the Date of Birth off of the card.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:24:11 +0000

I was unaware of this practice until yesterday. I picked up a video game in Target yesterday as an xmas present for a relative, it was rated “Mature 17″. Im in my 30′s and have a full beard, im clearly over 17.

When I presented the game the kid on the register asked for ID so I handed him my driving licence. I figured he was just covering himself legally and waitied for him to hand back my driving licence. Unknown to me he had a portable scanner gun in one hand and scanned my licence in a split second. What bugs me is that I was never informed that this would happen, he just scanned my licence without asking or my permission.

I asked him why he needed to scan my licence and he said that the register locks up on him and there is nothing he can do to unlock the register until he has scanned an ID. 5 minutes later I was in the Walmart up the street and buying rifle ammo as my next gift, no ID required.

By: Jeremy Hunt

Jeremy Hunt — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:42:13 +0000

My girlfriend recently visited a Michaels Arts & Crafts store to return something she purchased with cash. When she presented her receipt and the item to the cashier, she was asked for her driver’s license. She didn’t understand why, but presented it anyway. The cashier scanned her DL and then processed the return. When my girlfriend spoke to the manager, she was told that it was required for all returns. She was also told that if she had paid by credit card, they would not have had to ask for ID. Huh???? Doesn’t make sense to either of us. I believe they just wanted her personal information. She won’t be shopping at Michaels ever again. Thanks for the heads up about Target.

By: Iain Carlin

Iain Carlin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:59:44 +0000

Found this site after doing a search. I am visiting here in California from Australia. We live in an excellent climate, however it doesn’t make me look younger than my 45 years.

We went to Target to purchase some provisions, including a 6 pack of beer for myself. I was asked to provide ID and immediately my bullshitometer went on high alert. I showed my Australian license and was told to remove it from my wallet to be swiped. I said “What are you going to swipe?” (we have no magnetic stripe on our licenses). She then had to call over her supervisor for approval. I complained to him that it was bullshit requiring ID, his response, we have people buying alcohol who are of age then giving it to children outside the store.

Once again I proclaimed bullshit and pointed out my 14 and 11 year old kids standing next to me. “How does recording my license details prevent me from giving the alcohol to these two?” I proclaimed.

It amazes me that in a place where it is legal to carry an unconcealed weapon, that this ‘policy’ of Target is allowed to exist.

By: Paranoid

Paranoid — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:31:08 +0000

I hope you never need to buy any medication containing pseudoephedrine because the paper logbooks are long gone. Your information is now entered into an online database, which can only accept a drivers license, military id or passport and the government does track your purchases!

By: Marsha Littleton

Marsha Littleton — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:58:26 +0000

P.S. Asking to see an ID is one thing. Putting it into a database is quite another.

By: Marsha Littleton

Marsha Littleton — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:57:19 +0000

I just left a Michael’s craft store in San Antonio. Was exchanging a frame. The cashier asked for my Driver’s License, but when she started keying in the numbers, I stopped her. She said it was their policy now, just to make a return. I kept both frames. Also wrote to Corporate to express displeasure, and let them know that as long as possible, I will do my shopping at Hobby Lobby. ID theft experts tell us all the time not to give out personal information like that if not necessary. Michael’s is certainly not necessary.

By: Fred Posner

Fred Posner — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:04:39 +0000

As I said in the post/comments, I went to another store and purchased it without being asked for ID. The war is certainly not moot… and noone will scan the ID. Your complacency is not something to be admired. Stand up for yourself and protect your privacy.

By: Tammie Brugmann

Tammie Brugmann — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:41:02 +0000

All stores will be asking for ID, not just Target, Office Depot also asked for an ID. So your war with Target is moot.

By: justine mee

justine mee — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:20:32 +0000

I hear ya fred! My daughter is 17 and went to return something at the Target in Abington Ma and they wanted her social because she had no receipt! I refused to allow it so they said they wanted mine. I told them to screw,(the item was something only they sold as it was a target specific brand as say white stag is to Walmart) anyway, they wouldnt even let her do an exchange without it. So I asked if there was a ten year old and they lost a receipt would they want it from them too? They said Yes! A ten year old really? So I said then you can take a kids money but wont return it since what kid keeps a receipt? They said yes. My daughters items were even defective and via MA law needed to be exchanged or returned and they refused that too! I am reporting them to my state and better business bureau!