Subscribe to Waco Trib XML RSS Feed E-Newsletter WacoTrib on your PDA
Register Now.  It's Free!  |  Log In
Classifieds
Wacotrib Cars
Real Estate
Employment
Merchandise

Clark Howard's Tips

ID checks, minimum purchase rules a no-no with credit cards

August 11, 2008

Have you ever used your credit card and been asked for ID or told you'd have to make a minimum purchase? Both stipulations are against the merchant guidelines that govern Visa and MasterCard.

Clark is not upset when he's asked for ID; he sees it as another safeguard, even if it is against the guidelines. However, there is some recourse available if you are peeved.<

CLARK'S TIP TOPICS

Find more consumer advice in Clark Howard's book, "Get Clark Smart"

MasterCard has a simple-to-use form where you can alert them if a merchant required ID or a minimum purchase. Clark has no idea what becomes of this info once you submit it to MasterCard.

Visa, on other hand, has no such procedure in place. So they have a rule, but no enforcement.

The underlying issue here is that we're still using '60-era magnetic strip technology for credit cards. Europe and Asia, meanwhile, are years ahead of us with their smart chip technology. With the smart chip, you're required to enter a secret code to use your credit card. But the banks that issue cards don't want to spend the money to have a safe system on our shores!


More Clark Howard Credit and Banking Tips Full list


Consumer advice courtesy of
Clark Howard


Waco Tribune-Herald Top Cars
Tires - Front On/Off Road|Aluminum Wheels|Intermittent Wipers|Power Steerin......(more)
Mazda Protege, 2000, 1.6L I4 16V MPFI DOHC, Compact Car...(more)
Split Bench Seat|Driver Air Bag|Tires - Rear All-Season|Passenger Vanity Mi......(more)
Ford F-150, 2004, 5.4L V8 24V MPFI SOHC, Standard Pickup Truck...(more)
Chevrolet Impala, 2000, 3.8L V6 12V MPFI OHV, Large Car...(more)
Rear Wheel Drive|Trailer Hitch Receiver|Locking Rear Differential|Front Tow......(more)
Power Passenger Mirror|Rear Reading Lamps|Intermittent Wipers|Power Steerin......(more)
Ford Focus 2007. 2.0L, 4 CYL., Automatic, FI, Gray. $8775 Call (254)826-367......(more)
Four Wheel Drive|Tires - Front All-Season|Tires - Rear All-Season|Aluminum ......(more)
Power Passenger Mirror|Power Driver Mirror|Intermittent Wipers|Power Steeri......(more)
-View All Top Cars-
-Place an Ad-
 

Wacotrib News | Wacotrib Weather | Sports | Living | Business News | Wacotrib Schools | Opinions | Baylor Football
Wacotrib Cars | Wacotrib Real Estate | Wacotrib Jobs | Classifieds | Sitemap

Copyright 2009 Waco Tribune-Herald. All rights reserved. - The Waco Tribune-Herald

By using this service, you accept the terms of our visitor agreement.  About our ads 
Registered site users, you may edit your profile.
Having trouble? Visit our help & FAQ.