What's the point of signatures anymore?

[ckay87]

This has been bothering me for a long time. What is the point in signing anything at all with respect to using your credit card? What does it prove? That you are who you're supposed to be? I don't think so...

For example, do you sign those electronic pads? If you shop anywhere, chances are you do. Well, does the scribble on those pads look anything like your actual signature? And have you ever used one that is really messed up? I've already signed them and the output is some squiggly mess that's not even readable. What does that prove? If anything, couldn't I point to that and say "not my signature - someone used my card." Seems to me these pads could do more harm than good.

I always kind of laugh when a clerk actually takes the time to compare the signature on my card to the one on the receipt. I always think "yea right - see the similarities? " I mean, if they are truely doing a comparison, wouldn't they call me on the fact that the mess on the receipt doesn't match the card?

What does even signing your credit card actually accomplish anymore? Other than providing potential theives not only with your card but with an image of what your actual signature looks like. Years ago I had someone use my card and forge my signature - very well. I couldn't prove it wasn't my charge (this was in Cancun.) I now use "see id" in place of my signature, but have had hassles with that.

I don't know, maybe I'm just venting. It all seems so silly.

 

[bananiem]

I find that my signature is quite legible with the electronic pads. Perhaps you write like my husband where even when you watch him write it, it still looks like somebody forged it.

 

[laurajetter]

Now there are more and more places that don't require a signature. Besides the obvious gas stations, we have been to a couple places (Panera Bread, for one) that doesn't require a signature if the total is under a certain amount.

I agree; it doesn't seem like it accomplishes much.

 

[MOMTOCUTESTDOGEVER]

The signature on my debit card has been worn off for quite some time and I can't find anything that will print on it. I really like how the cashier flips the card over, glances at the back, and hands it to me with a smile. They are oblivious to the missing signature. I honestly don't know what the point is of the signature anymore.

 

[cardaway]

I hate those pads because even the ones that are working don't look right.

Personally the back of our cards says "see ID" and lately, for whatever reason, the percentage of people doing so has went from 10 to 90 percent.

 

[Kimberle]

Working for a retailer, those signatures are very important. We must supply them to the credit companies upon request.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

In the UK signing for purchases with a debit/credit card is being eliminated, we now use chip and pin, when the card is scanned you have to type in your pin number onto a special pad before payment is accepted

 

[Banzai]

At the McDonalds where I work, it is anything under $25 dollars is able to run without a signature if it is credit.

I can never use the electronic pads to make it look like my siggy, it looks more like a mess...err...thats kinda how my signature does look.

Also, how often do they check the card for who it is? I have had a few times when they have done that. One was at Walmart when my mum gave me her card to go buy I belive it was ziplock bags. They asked to see the card and said that they couldn't take it becasue it wasn't my first name. I understand they have a valid point, but if I am going to steal a credit card, you are gonna see me using it at Saks Fifth Avenue, not Walmart. It took a while to get it straightened out, and I even offered to let them call my house to ask who's card it was. They let it run after 10 minutes or so of me showing my Driver's Licence and other things. All I wanted was a ziplock bag...