One Hundred Dollar a Month reader, Holly, alerted me to a story about a woman who went to Toys R Us to return two action figures. The toys were in their original packaging, in the Toys R Us bag, and she had a receipt, BUT in order to process the return, Toys R Us wanted her driver’s license as well. She was a little hesitant to give them her driver’s license, worried about what information they would store, potentially make her susceptible in the even of a security breach. In the end, she decided not to return the items, which amounted to $23.
So, what exactly do they get when they scan your card? Well, in most states, they will get your name, date of birth and address. While stores are trying to cut down on fraudulent returns, should anyone hack into their system, that’s enough information to do a bit of damage. In some states however, your hair and eye color, and weight also show up, as well as whether you are an organ donor {why would they need that?}
I personally think the whole thing is ridiculous. Seriously, if you have your receipt, that should be proof enough–it’s the proof the store provides. I get it if you don’t have a receipt–they make you put a little skin in the game in a show of good faith.
What do YOU think? Should stores be allowed to require your license for returns?
~Mavis
Jonnie says
No, they should not be allowed to make a requirement of this, just to return anything to their store, as long as you have the receipt. If they don’t require it to buy it. I did not know they did this, but now that I do, I Willy not shop in any of their stores. Or any other store, where I find that it is also their policy. Are they willing to let me makes copies of their employees license, for my records, and not held responsible, if someone breaks into my home, and steals their information.
Katie W says
I don’t see why anyone would scan or swipe your ID. I could see, depending on the store or type of merchandise being returned, why they would want a photo ID. They may want to match a face with the name on the receipt to make sure it’s really yours and it’s not stolen or something. I wouldn’t think they’d need to record any info after making a visual match.
Kathy M says
Wrong! I was just at Toys R Us and had the same experience. I had original receipt and showed them my drivers license. But they refused to return my money unless I let them enter my drivers license information into their data base. I offered the original credit card and showed them that my drivers license indeed was me, but they still refused. TOYS R US get out of our business!!! They made a big deal of pointing to my receipt where it mentions that a Drivers license is required for returns. I pointed out that by the time I have a receipt, that information is too late. I said it should be posted in big bright letters at the time of check out that this store is data basing your information if you make a return. I wonder how many people will stop shopping at TOYS R US.
Lisa Millar says
Complete overkill – unless you are returning a car or something!
If you have the item, box, receipt… that’s all that’s needed. How often does someone steal your new, still packaged item along with the matching receipt to return it to get the cash anyway? Then if it DOES happen how do you prove it was yours? Does the receipt have your ID on it too so you can claim ownership?? Makes no sense.
I ran a retail shop for years – people make it their job to scam and rip you off… but we never required ID for a return that had all of the above. And there was never any issue.
And for something worth $23???? You are risking people not being happy with your business and going elsewhere, and for the sake of so little it seems a silly thing to insist upon.
Athena says
I actually know of someone who did do just that. She bought something, her friend took her receipt back into the store and got the same item and then tried to return it. I still don’t think they should need to scan my ID but these types of scams do happen.
Lisa Millar says
Seriously?? Nice friend!! I did have people come into the shop, pick up an item and try to ‘return’ it, but they hadn’t gone as far as nicking their friends receipt!
People are so inventive when it comes to getting stuff they are not entitled to!!
Sign of the times perhaps!!! 🙁
Leslie says
I think thieves have been clever for centuries. So frustrating to be a victim of it.
Tamara says
NO, NO, NO!!! Receipt is proof of purchase, period!
Dale says
Haven’t shopped at Toys r US in 20 years because of a return policy issue and never will again. Tried to return a nonworking Christmas gift with a receipt. They didn’t have a re[placement and would only give me toys r us money. So mad and didn’t have enough money at the time to go somewhere else to buy a similar item. So done with them.
Krista says
Dale, they tried to pull that crap with me 20 years ago as well when I was returning a car seat that wouldn’t fit in my car. I was about to give birth and none of the carseats in their store would work in my car and they kept on insisting that they could only give me their Toys R Us play money. I told them they exactly where they could stick those Geoffrey Bucks and eventually a manager came out and gave me my money back so I could go buy a carseat somewhere else. Have not shopped there since.
Pam says
If that return policy was posted prior to me making a purchase, I would not make the purchase. As you said Mavis – the only “proof of purchase” the store gives you is the receipt. If the item is still in it’s original packaging and I have a receipt, I will NOT give you my ID to return it. Along that same line – I get the concept of store loyalty cards. But why do I have to have a card to get the sale price? Why do you need to know who I am in order to get 3 cents off my can of green beans? If you want to make me a loyal shopper, don’t make me give you my phone # or a silly card to get the sale price. I’ll keep coming back for good deals……..like them even more if I don’t have to fumble through a pom-pom sized ball of store cards to get them!
Cheri says
I recently bought a $35 item at Macy’s online for pickup at their local store. I had my order number and the electronic receipt in my email on my phone and I showed my license to validate my identity. They required me to scan my license into their reader device. I did not appreciate this at all and will not purchase this way again from Macy’s because of this policy. I do not like my personal information stored all over the place in systems i have no control over.
Sandy says
On Sept. 30, 2016 I went to Macy’s to pick up an item ordered on line. The store clerk took my drivers’ license and walked to another area of the store out of sight. He was gone for an extended period of time. Another clerk eventually asked if I was being served and I told her that I thought I was but now was not sure. I stated my concern that the clerk vanished with my drivers license for an extended period of time and that I found that unacceptable. She responded “that is their policy” offering no logical reason as to why he couldn’t look at my i.d. and return it to me rather than keeping it in his possession. She then went to fetch him. They both came out with my order. Nineteen days later my identity was stolen. Someone tried to open a Sears charge account in my name which required a drivers’ license i.d. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I have called the Macy’s store manager voicing my concern over tbis policy. Whether or not a Macy’s store clerk stole my identity, the fact he took my license and vanished into a back room for about 5 minutes gives the appearance of impropriety.
Laurie says
I believe it’s against the law to require the driver’s license. I would have fought that and taken it to the top.
Tammy says
When I got married 15 years ago, we registered with Target. After the wedding, I went about returning duplicate gifts (which happened even with the registry) and gifts that had been purchased at Target but were items that we wanted to exchange or return for one reason or another. Because I did not have receipts for many of these items, they asked me for my driver’s license when I was making returns. I don’t think they scanned my license but they did record my license number because they limited non-receipt returns to 5 per year. I didn’t really like it at the time but I did give them my license because we had quite a few mismatched towels and odds and ends to return.
I feel like everywhere you go they are scanning and storing information. If you use a credit card they’re essentially getting the same info as on your driver’s license (minus personal identification information). Getting back to Target – they have the technology in place to determine if a woman is pregnant based on her shopping and to send targeted coupons to her house. That’s a little more freaky than scanning/saving a driver’s license, IMO.
Ali says
I don’t know what US law says about returns (I’m in the UK) but I’d check out your consumer rights and challenge them on their policy. Company policy cannot break the law!! They HAVE to abide by the law
Kathleen says
I WILL NOT shop at any store that requires my driver’s license for purchases or returns with receipt. I have walked out of stores, leaving purchases on the counter (here’s to you, Walmart and Famous Footwear!) that tried to require my DL for purchases made with credit card. They said it is to “protect the consumer”, which is BS. My credit card companies do a very good job of alerting me to potential fraud. I don’t need or want the store’s help. Requiring a DL for CREDIT card purchases is actually against Visa/MasterCard policy.
For returns of new, unopened items with a proper receipt, NO, they may not have my Driver’s License, especially to record that information in any system. I understand fraud happens, and why the stores want that information, but various retail chains have proven, quite effectively, that they cannot be trusted with that information. Usually I will go up the chain, politely and respectfully, at the store level until they finally process the return.
Pam says
Kathleen – I’ve been on the other side of the counter when asking for ID with a credit card. It was my company’s policy, for purchases over $300.00, to verify that the person using the credit card was the person who the card was issued to. We didn’t slide/swipe the ID (and we didn’t REQUIRE a driver’s license – any picture ID would be fine). We simply verified that the name on the card was the name on the ID. This policy was posted on the entrance/exit doors as well as on every cashier station in the store. Now here’s why I don’t mind that policy…….when I had credit cards, I also trusted my bank to keep me informed when they detected fraud on my cards (I actually paid the additional $$ to protect all my cards). Unfortunately, the bank dropped the ball when I dropped my credit card in a grocery store parking lot on a Saturday morning. Within 24 hours, my Visa card (bank issued) had been maxed (over $10,000.00 in purchases in 24 hours). It took me over a year to get all of the charges removed from my bill. And my credit report still carries 8-10 months of “past due payments” on the balance that was never mine to begin with. I have given up trying to get them removed – I can only beat my head against the wall for so long before I move on to another wall. Anyway, I often think how many of my hassles could have been avoided if someone has just asked for ID during any one of those transactions. Just my 2 cents.
Heather H. says
I agree with all of the above. Two added comments are, what if you don’t have a driver’s license? Not everybody does. Why not a library card or grocery store rewards card? ha ha! Also, I’ve read that some people (crooks) actually find receipts that people throw out as they’re walking out of a store, in the parking lot, etc. Then they will go back in the store, find a product on the found receipt, and “return” it for money.
It’s too bad that everyone just can’t be honest! It’s a few that wreck it for the many. Tired of being a “victim” as well.
Erica says
I understand the desire not to have your info out there but it’s already out there…
On the other hand, based on my experience which consists of watching Intervention, I think it has become very common for drug users to find receipts, steal the item on the receipt and then return the stolen items. Scanning driver’s licenses gives the stores a way to track and discourage that activity.
Darci says
What does the Return Policy say on the receipt? I haven’t been there in a while. It seems strange for the policy to require ID for a cash purchase. I wouldn’t find it strange for credit card. Hmm….$23….I might just keep it to use as a gift instead. Contact admin office online. Feedback is KEY to getting things changed.
Maryw says
No.
Deb says
I understand the concern about identity safety however be aware that there are several states that actually SELL your driver’s license information. More and more doctor’s offices require a driver’s license or government photo ID PLUS they take a photo of you due to the huge amount of insurance fraud created by a recent national insurance program… all of your identity information plus your entire private medical history is now available to any office personnel in any medical office in the US (legally) and any high school hacker internationally (illegally) due to the mandatory requirement that all medical records be electronic.
peggyk says
Outrageous! Now that I think about it, my husband had to show his driver license when we ordered at Lowes and Toys R Us online and he went to the store to get it. He had the printouts that we got and my order confirmation. But when you are in a hurry you sometimes let yourself get badgered because it is easier. But I hate the policy and wish we had more choices. And how about showing your receipt when leaving Best Buy – someone checking as you leave the checkout line to make sure you aren’t stealing. Refuse to buy at Best Buy because of it. And they do it at Walmart too – checking your receipt against your items in the cart. Hate it!!!
Linda says
Absolutely NO! It makes the customer too vulnerable to hackers and dishonest employees.
Angela D. says
I stopped shopping at ToysRUs/BabiesRUs about seven years ago because of their very rigid return policy. Oh, with the exception of a too-good-to-pass-up Christmas toy I found on their website a couple years ago. Said item was shown In Stock, but when I sent my credit card through and clicked Final Purchase, item was shown to be on back order. The resulting AWFUL customer service, involving my credit card company (thankfully they took the hit for ToysRUs mistake!) was enough for me to promise myself to never do business with them again! Not even if they’re handing out bars of gold! Worst service ever!
Debbie N says
I don’t mind being asked for my license if I don’t have a receipt but if I have my receipt they shouldn’t ask for it. I also expect to get back they money the way I paid. If I pay cash, I want cash back. If the store policy is otherwise, I will not shop there. I don’t shop at toys r us anymore because of a previous problem returning something.
Kristina says
I have no problem with someone checking my ID (not scanning, but looking) with a large credit card purchase. My experience with the whole scanning the driver’s license thing (I even had Costco years ago ask me for my SS#?? WTH?) is that the employees are trained to ask, but I’m guessing the store can’t legally require it. I always push back on this one, or the annoying phenomenon when they ask for all your info just for a cash purchase, and have never, not once, had them not back down on it. The employee doesn’t know it’s not absolutely required, since they’re trained to ask, but the managers seem to know that they have to give way on the issue when pressed.
I think the whole loyalty card thing is bogus, sort of in the category of *you* being the product in the transaction. I won’t shop at stores like that with my real info. I always put in my area code and 867-5309 (dating myself here, big time). It’s always in the system.
Vicki B. says
I wonder how many other people use Jenny’s phone number? LOL! I do the same thing!
Uma says
I had an issue today even while I was in the store after my purchase and decided to exchange an item I was asked for an id. I was too furious about it but what can I do? I will just stop my shopping at toysrus.
I S says
I’ve gone through this same situation at a babies r us store 2 days ago.
Even though I presented the original receipt, in addition to scanning my DL the associated also required my phone number and the returned amount was over $5.00 less than what I paid when made the purchase, just 3 days prior to the returning date ( claiming the item had gone on sale).
Asked to talk to the manager, who didn’t help at all.
I won’t be buying at Babies R Us or its affiliates EVER again.
I don’t appreciate having my information stored by this company.