Best Buy Identity fraud risk when making a purchase with a credit card. Atascocita, Texas
When using a credit card IN THE STORE, the checker requires the usual: scan your card, show them the front of the card, show them your ID. But then they also require you to show them the back of the card (I covered up the security code ) AND she asked to see the security code on the back of the card. I refused. The manager erroneously stated that the credit card companies require me to give the checker the security code. I informed the manager this cannot be correct. The transaction would not process without the security code. There was no way to privately enter it. When a consumer is physically present, scanned the card, and is not ordering on line or for any online transaction (my purchases were in my hand) they should not be required to provide the security code to the checker along with the drivers license and letting the clerk re-enter the 16 digit card number somewhere on the computer in the checkout process. Furthermore, the checker was writing information down while processing the transaction. She wrote info from my drivers license as well. I later called the credit card company who stated when I scan in the card the security code is securely and automatically "picked up" and no additional entry of the security code is required. She refuted Best Buys statement that it is required by the credit card company. She said if it were true, it would be required at every store you use the credit card and it is not. The Best Buy manager was incorrect. When I called Best Buy customer service dept to complain, they again stated that the credit card company requires it. This is a lie. Best Buy is requiring customers to take unnecessary risks and invading privacy. It would be different if this were "on line", but when present, it is wrong. Furthermore, they should not allow checkers to write info down while processing orders. If enough people complain, maybe Best Buy will be more customer friendly. As it is, no one will know which checker steals identity and which one does not. The problem exists in the Best Buy system; not with the credit card companies.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
Should mention...Discover Card...
#6Consumer Comment
Mon, December 20, 2010
...if you pay via Discover Card..the register will prompt the employee to enter the CID #...and with Discover that is on the back of the card. Other then that, there is no reason they should have asked to see the back of the card...and NEVER EVER is there any reason they should be writing anything down.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
That's a good point...
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, December 16, 2010
I have never been required to let the cashier see the back of any cards I have used at Best Buy. Assuming that the OP's story is true, Steve offered a valid option.
Simply walk out.
If a business has unreasonable expectations from their customers then they should absolutely go somewhere else. There are plenty of other retailers out there that would love to have your business.
The part about the cashier writing down information is worrisome.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Easy solution! Don't shop at Best Buy! problem solved!
#6Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 16, 2010
It is always your choice as a consumer to just say no.
You could have refused to show the additional info and just left your merchandise on the counter.
Nobody forced you to shop at Best Buy.
Write a letter to Best Buy Corporate and let them know you will not be shopping there anymore, and from now on Wal-Mart will get all of your business!
The CONSUMER has the ultimate power in every situation.
Take your money somewhere else.
I see Best Buy going the same direction as Circuit City. Best Buy should hire some grown adults as managers instead of all of those kids who know nothing.
Ronny g
North hollywood,California,
USA
All they are required to do..
#6Consumer Comment
Thu, December 16, 2010
..is check the last four digits of a credit card (FRONT only), or check for the CID # of Amex cards. If you use debit they are required to ask nothing..you just enter the PIN.
There is no prompt to ask to see the back of the card, and unless the requirements differ state to state that I am unaware of.
Since Best Buy has thousands of customers a day using credit cards in the stores at over a thousand locations nationwide, especially this time of year, there should be no problem finding other similar reports if this is widespread..or even if some rouge employee and manager are doing this on any kind of a regular basis for the purpose of identity theft. If any company has to be extremely careful with privacy policy ethics..it is Best Buy..this is a SERIOUS charge.
Are there any other reports of this happening?
Robert
Irvine,California,
U.S.A.
Wait a minute
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, December 15, 2010
The statement that needs to be a concern to you is this.
Furthermore, the checker was writing information down while processing the transaction.
- I don't know if you are accusing the clerk of Identity Theft. But if you are you need to immediately file a police report giving them all of this information. You also need to contact your credit card company to report this. Even if you aren't accusing them of Identity Theft you should do this because it sure sounds like something is not quite right.
This is a lie. Best Buy is requiring customers to take unnecessary risks and invading privacy. It would be different if this were "on line", but when present, it is wrong. Furthermore, they should not allow checkers to write info down while processing orders.
- If what you are saying is 100% true, I don't think this is a Best Buy policy. Instead it sounds like it may be rouge employee(s) trying to make a better Christmas for themselves.