OT -Signature smudge on back of credit card?

[Me2Me]

Does anyone have any tips on how to pre-treat the back of your credit card before you sign it for the first time ? Mine seems to smudge or even disappear almost completely after a few short months. Eventually I need to card a new card. Someone may have recommended placing a strip of masking tape over the signature panel, ripping it off, and then signing your name. Ever heard of that? Any suggestions?

 

[sunkissed212]

I always just sign my cards with a fine tip Sharpie marker. It doesn't rub off as easily as a regular ball point or felt tip pen.

 

[Beherenow]

"I always just sign my cards with a fine tip Sharpie marker. It doesn't rub off as easily as a regular ball point or felt tip pen." I second this... It will make the signature more bold.

I do not have advice about making the signature strip last longer. My DH must request a new card every 6 months or so because it just wears away. We put everything on the card and pay it off at the end of each month to maximize rewards. It gets HEAVY use. DH swears the card readers at the gas stations are what wears it out the signature strip so fast.

 

[cymomtx]

We don't sign our cards, we put "Please Check ID""( with a sharpie). Anyone can master a signature in 5 minutes, but they won't easily forge a picture ID. Once you have had your credit cards stolen, you will never sign a card again.

This does not guarantee that they will always check ID but usually they will.

 

[robyn323]

same here. I NEVER sign the back of mine i put check I.D. 90% of the time they pay attention and ask.If they don't I bring it to thier attention.

 

[SaraMc]

My DH works for a credit card and says that you can call and ask for a replacement card and you shouldnt have any problems with the card you have until the new one comes.

At least with his credit card company they will do that.

 

[seashoreCM]

After signing a credit card I put transparent tape over the signature area. Scotch Magic tape is quite good.

Then, something else about the card (such as the card itself) breaks before the signature becomes illegible.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Me2Me]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

I'd never heard of the check ID solution. Sounds like good advice but I'll bet I'd get a lot of blank looks from cashiers if I did that.

 

[fran99999]

I use a sharpie marker also. My card wears out before the sharpie.

I had on my ATM visa card the "CHECK ID". Very few places asked for it. Walmart never asked for it. Yes they compared my signiture to the words check id. I chuckled every time. Now I put my correct signiture on the cards. With Check ID next to it. Only had my ID checked 3 times in the last 6 months. I use the cards at least every 2-3 days. I dont carry checks anymore.

I thank all that ask for my ID.

 

[prplcrzy]

I found out the tip last year at Disney. I needed to sign the back of my room/charge key and the person at the register took a piece of tape and stuck in on the signature spot and then took it off. It leaves a bit of the adhesive so the pen stays on the card without smudging.

Thought I'd pass that along!

Nancy

 

[jlkmn]

frann9999 is that because you were at the Brockton Walmart they arent to smart over there. you could write donald duck and they would cash it.
sorry bad experiences over there

 

[funnygarcia]

Use sharpie pen, write name AND "check ID" -- legally a cashier CAN refuse a credit card that is unsigned.

 

[lovesdisney44]

I've seen people use an eraser and erase the back of the card a few times. I was told that it helps. It worked for us

 

[BARBARAAPPLE]

When We Get Our Cards We Put A Peice Os Scotch Tape On The Back The Pull It Off , It Takes The Card Residue Off Then You Can Sign It ... You Will Be Able To See The Residue On The Tape