Taking extra precautions to ensure your credit card isn’t stolen or misused is definitely an important security measure to pay extra attention to. Now you may have heard of different methods of signing the back of a credit card to prevent so. However, which method actually proves more beneficial?
To understand whether you should sign a card, definitely continue reading below for all the information you would need.
Simply put, signing the back of your credit card is always better than not. While you may believe leaving it blank is a better choice, your signature is just another method set by your credit card company to try and keep your information safe. Additionally, when the signature is used in conjunction with the CVV code on your card, the process would create a line of defense against fraudulent use.
However, there are a few silver linings that you would have to know. Although the signature helps prevent fraud, the value lies within the salesman’s ability to match signatures. The most common way to do so is through your driver’s license or passport. Furthermore, simply taking a few seconds to sign the card could potentially prevent your identity from being stolen.
The Theory Behind Writing “SEE ID”
As an extra layer of protection, credit card users have been told to write “SEE ID” on the back of their credit cards in favor of signing it or simply leaving it blank.
The theory behind this is that when you put SEE ID, there is less of a chance for your credit card to be stolen or misused. Theoretically, the salesperson would have to compare the credit card name with your driver’s license. However, that is definitely not the case in a lot of situations. Often times, a purchase that does not provide a significant monetary value would be done without checking and comparing government-issued ID.
If you sign your card, anyone who steals your card can forge it. On the other hand, if the card has no signature, the salesperson would have to see IDs. This would, in turn, allow the salesperson a chance to stop the transactions and prevent any unauthorized use.
Mastercard
To further protect your personal information, Mastercard urges merchants not to accept any charges from customers if the back of the card remains unsigned. In fact, “Not Valid Unless Signed” is stated on the back of every Mastercard.
Additionally, Mastercard has instilled that merchants should not process transactions unless the customer’s signature appears on the card.
However, if the card has no signature and a purchase is to be done, merchants would have to request the customer to sign the card before using it. Furthermore, confirmation of identity is also necessary.
VISA
For VISA cards, merchants must verify the signature as well as matching the customer’s signature and identification. They want to know you are who you say you are and recreating the same signature on demand when you sign for a credit card transaction is one way to do it.
In fact, VISA considers any unsigned cards as invalid. Similar to how Mastercard works, “Not Valid Without Signature” is on all VISA cards. On top of that, if a customer refuses to sign a VISA card, then the card would be invalid.
Discover
Simply put, if a Discover card does not provide a signature, the card would be deemed invalid. Discover Bank has always urged for cardholders to sign the backs of their cards during activation. Cards such as Discover it® Cash Back, Discover it® Miles or Discover it® Student Cash Back would require a signature on the back of the cards. This is done because a cashier may decline a transaction if the card doesn’t present a signature.
American Express
Similarly, American Express strongly advises retailers to compare a customer’s signature. If an American Express card is presented unsigned, a photo ID with a signature is necessary to process the payment. In most cases, the card would have to provide a signature in order for the card to be eligible.
Tips to Protect Against Credit Card Fraud
- Carry only the credit cards you need. While there are travel cards, you will most likely not use them on a daily basis. Definitely make a note of all the account numbers and expiration dates, as they will come in handy should you lose your wallet or phone.
- Paperless, eStatements and overdraft protection are great bank account features that could help you avoid any misuse of paper statements. Additionally, keep your online passwords in a trusted place as well as updating them from time to time.
- Constantly keep in check of your credit card transactions. This would allow you to catch any suspicious activities or errors. If this is the case, report this to your bank as soon as possible
Conclusion
Regardless of signing a card or utilizing SEE ID, the most important takeaway is to keep track of your transactions and credit card usage. Whether you are opening a bank account, savings rate or a new credit card, taking extra precautions is definitely within your best interest. However, if you do choose to leave your signature box empty, note you will be notified or requested to sign the card sooner or later.