Can I See Some ID?
Here’s a question that maybe you guys can answer for me: why do people get mad when you ask for ID?
Ok, I can understand if you know the person, but it’s a little different when neither of you have laid eyes on one another, wouldn’t you agree? Alas, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me go back. One of the services we provide in banking is the cash advance. First of all, I try really hard to talk people out of this if they can avoid it; however, some people just need the money. But, in order to do a cash advance, we need the driver’s license because there is information we have to enter into the machine.
Today was an interesting day because it was super busy – I suspect the sweltering heat may have been making people a little crazy. We had several people doing cash advances today, which was a little unusual in that we don’t normally get that many. One particular instance stood out and sort of set the tone for the whole day. A member came in and asked for a cash advance, then handed me the card. I asked for their ID and he rolled his eyes, pulled it out of the wallet, and tossed it to me so that it slid off the counter.
I bent over, picked it up, thanked him, and then went about the transaction. Perhaps there were other circumstances affecting his day; however, I didn’t think it was called for. When I got back to the member with the slip to sign, he told me he thought it was ridiculous that we asked for ID. I had to stop myself from letting my jaw drop.
I asked the member why he thought it was ridiculous to verify his identity before giving his money to someone. He told me that he’d been coming to the credit union for 30 years and that we should know who he was. I told him that was a fair point; however, our branch was fairly new and comprised of newer staff members so we didn’t know him. I explained that checking ID is a precaution for him because I’m sure he’d be more upset if we gave money to someone else, particular on a cash advance where he was going to be charged a higher rate of interest. The member said that we were turning into those larger banks, always asking for ID and never offering any personal service.
Anyway, the conversation went back and forth for a little while as I finished the transaction. I finally had to ask the member whether he would like me to notate the account not to ask for ID when he came in, offering him the use of a password in the event that someone did not know him. He declined and left. Still considering whether I could have handled that differently to make the member a little happier, I had another member wanting to withdraw money from their account. I was not familiar with them and I asked for their ID. They were seriously affronted that I would dare to ask them for ID. They presented it – actually, it was more like they stuffed their wallet in my face – and I went about the transaction, apologizing for the inconvenience.
My dilemma is that I don’t understand when people got it in their heads that it was ok to withdraw money in some way without presenting an ID. Why are people suddenly so hostile? With the amount of identity theft taking place, I would think people would be grateful that we’re taking the initiative to protect them. And, it used to be that that type of behavior was a red flag that something was wrong and we should proceed with caution. Now, it’s become commonplace.
So, I’d like to know what you guys think. Do you get offended when your bank asks for your id? And I’m not talking about when it’s someone you go to every single day and they continue to ask for your id – that would annoy even me. However, if you’re in once or twice a month and someone asks for your id, would you be annoyed? Why or why not? I wonder if people expect us to remember them, but forget how many people we see a day. Not that I think that’s a reason not to attempt to get to know your customers – I know their names, their kids names, and their birthdays so I can send cards. It’s important to be personable with your customers.
But, when it’s someone you don’t know, what’s wrong with asking to see a little id?
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Personally, I am thrilled when someone asks me for my ID- it doesn’t happen often enough. From what I understand, people don’t want to show their ID ’cause they’re afraid of identity theft. I think this fear is a unwarranted considering the person checking the ID has their information for like 2 seconds and they would have to be some kind of a savant to remember it all. Besides, most of the information on your drivers license (like your address, and even your previous addresses) can all be found on line on people search sites (scary as that may sound).
In your case, however, I think the customers were just overly sensitive and rude. They may have felt that the few seconds it would have taken for them to show, and for you to verify, was too long- or that you were verifying ID ’cause you suspected them of lying about who they are (some people are just very sensitive).
What used to kill me when I was in retail was when they got mad when you asked for ID-and THEY put See ID on their card.
I have the same problem as a customer. I pretty much always have my ID out if I’m using a credit card or at the bank (even for just a deposit). I get mixed reactions from people ignoring me trying to show my ID to people actually acting annoyed that I’m trying to get them to verify that I’m the person I say I am. And yes, my credit card says “See ID”. Yet pretty much no one ever asks me for it. Ever.
Easy enough question to answer – they get affronted because they are self-centered jerks! They think the world revolves around them and if they so much as walked by your branch in the past then you should someone know (and worship) who they are! :)
Mike
I am glad that there are a few people out there that care enough to ask for ID. I still see people arguing with clerks who ask for ID when the customer has had their checks printed with their drivers license number already on it. How stupid is that! If someone stole your checks, you just made their theft easier by providing extra information. If they somehow managed to get your checkbook and not your ID along with it, most store clerks will just happily go along with the drivers license info thats pre-printed on the check.
If the cashiers at my credit union didn’t ask for my ID when I withdrew funds, I wouldn’t be happy about it; I’d be annoyed that they were careless with my money.
“Do you get offended when your bank asks for your id?”
I expect to show id. It would be scary to think my money could be withdrawn by someone else, without id.
I THANK them for asking for my ID. It is for my protection and I also tell them that I know people are sometimes nasty about it and that I think those people are NUTS. I also thank cashiers that actually check my signature against my card.
Where I work occasionally I am in a position to take the credit card info and I have to ask for ID etc. The majority of people don’t complain but we get the occasional nasty here too. I just explain to them how it’s for their safety and if they want to be nasty, I just ignore them and think how stupid they are!
I’m glad to see that there are some people out there who actually respect that we try to protect their money. It really amazes me that people walk in with an account number and simply expect us to give them money out of it without showing some form of id.
I think some of the problem is that people who’ve been with an establishment for 20+ years don’t like change, and unfortunately, the banking industry is prone to turnover and lots of change. So, these lifers see new faces, but expect the same treatment as they would from someone they worked with previously and it’s not like that. A relationship has to be built. An id must be shown.