ID when paying by card

[LadyInBed]

It used to be the case in Cherbourg hypermarket, but they have now seen the light, but I have found it is still prevalent in N Spain, not in all supermarkets, but many.
I don't carry my passport around with me and I have got fed up brazening it out at the checkout, so being the proud possessor of a Bus Pass, I now show that and smile at the expression the person on the till makes when they can't make head or tail of it, but shrug and accept it.
What do you do?

 

[sailorman]

It used to be the case in Cherbourg hypermarket, but they have now seen the light, but I have found it is still prevalent in N Spain, not in all supermarkets, but many.
I don't carry my passport around with me and I have got fed up brazening it out at the checkout, so being the proud possessor of a Bus Pass, I now show that and smile at the expression the person on the till makes when they can't make head or tail of it, but shrug and accept it.
What do you do?

Son`s inlaws live in rural Spain & its just the same there

 

[RobbieW]

Asking for id when using a card in Spain is fairly common, we've been asked in Sardinia too. Any photo id should do, driving licence, maybe even your ICC (now theres a practical use for it )

 

[colind3782]

It used to be fairly common in the area around Empuriabrava, but becoming less so. I used to carry my passport but my photo driving licence does the trick whn asked.

 

[macd]

I don't carry my passport around with me

But you should (or some other official form of ID). As Clouseau used to say, it's the law -- so no great hardship to the locals.

 

[RobbieW]

But you should (or some other official form of ID). As Clouseau used to say, it's the law -- so no great hardship to the locals.

As we Brits are not required to do that at home we have to learn (and remember) that not carrying ID could lead to problems in some countries. I cant remember ever having been asked anywhere, except when buying by card, though the US police can be difficult if you dont have your licence on you.

 

[nigelmercier]

I used to have a credit card with a photo on it, why did that idea die out. I have been known to use my Costco card for ID in the USA

 

[Carmel2]

We both have way out of date Carte de Sejour's they are not even issued these day's, no one has ever checked them.

 

[Blue5]

It used to be the case in Cherbourg hypermarket, but they have now seen the light, but I have found it is still prevalent in N Spain, not in all supermarkets, but many.
I don't carry my passport around with me and I have got fed up brazening it out at the checkout, so being the proud possessor of a Bus Pass, I now show that and smile at the expression the person on the till makes when they can't make head or tail of it, but shrug and accept it.
What do you do?

Carry my passport,.................. its not that heavy.........................or my ICC

 

[NornaBiron]

When we were coming through Italy five years ago there wasn't much wifi so whenever we needed to use an internet cafe they wanted to photocopy our passports 'to prevent crime'?! We were very reluctant to allow this so used my old photo gym card which was out of date, it was always accepted with a smile.

 

[macd]

When we were coming through Italy five years ago there wasn't much wifi so whenever we needed to use an internet cafe they wanted to photocopy our passports 'to prevent crime'?!

Yes, a stupid arrangement (which, amongst other things, effectively banned open public wifi). But you need to remember that the Italian premier at the time was a crook, so it was only natural that he would believe the people who voted for him were likewise.

 

[RobbieW]

Yes, a stupid arrangement (which, amongst other things, effectively banned open public wifi). But you need to remember that the Italian premier at the time was a crook, so it was only natural that he would believe the people who voted for him were likewise.

The requirement for id for internet access is not restricted to Italy though I've never seen it implemented in an internet cafe. To buy a data SIM in Spain, France or Italy I've had to show id (passport or driving licence - didnt try the ICC ) which, again, is not a UK requirement. One French WiFi network required that a mobile number was put in to which it sent a text message with an access code, still free but in theory made the user traceable.

 

[NornaBiron]

The requirement for id for internet access is not restricted to Italy though I've never seen it implemented in an internet cafe. To buy a data SIM in Spain, France or Italy I've had to show id (passport or driving licence - didnt try the ICC ) which, again, is not a UK requirement. One French WiFi network required that a mobile number was put in to which it sent a text message with an access code, still free but in theory made the user traceable.

That's the same here in Greece too. I don't object to that, but some small cafe with underpaid staff having a copy of my passport was a bit much!

I've just reread what I've written and realised that I probably need to be just as wary of the more organised companies too.

 

[25931]

It used to be the case in Cherbourg hypermarket, but they have now seen the light, but I have found it is still prevalent in N Spain, not in all supermarkets, but many.
I don't carry my passport around with me and I have got fed up brazening it out at the checkout, so being the proud possessor of a Bus Pass, I now show that and smile at the expression the person on the till makes when they can't make head or tail of it, but shrug and accept it.
What do you do?

What do I do ? I carry my ID card which, being the size of a normal credit card or EU type driving licence, is no hardship.

 

[rivonia]

Yes we both carry our ID cards at all times.

Those of you who do not have ID cards it is a not too difficult task to get one made up with an ID photo on.

I don't know if SAGA credit card still do it, but when I had that credit card it had your photo on it.

Peter

 

[LadyInBed]

Carry my passport,.................. its not that heavy.

Not heavy, but over twice the size of 'credit card' size ID's

Bus Pass is probably quite good as you have to prove identity and place of residence to get one - and age

 

[Carmel2]

Yes we both carry our ID cards at all times.

Those of you who do not have ID cards it is a not too difficult task to get one made up with an ID photo on.

I don't know if SAGA credit card still do it, but when I had that credit card it had your photo on it.

Peter

It would make sense if all cards were like that, it would cut down on fraud, admittedly not online fraud.

 

[Finesse II]

We had to show an ID card in a LeClerce supermarket in Meaux near Paris. Driving licence was fine
When in Rome!

 

[25931]

We had to show an ID card in a LeClerce supermarket in Meaux near Paris. Driving licence was fine
When in Rome!

Do they have that problem there as well ?

 

[BlueChip]

I used to have a credit card with a photo on it, why did that idea die out. I have been known to use my Costco card for ID in the USA

I used my Costco card as id when hiring bikes in Cherbourg.
SWMBO still doesn't have a plastic driving license and when asked for ID she gets out her tatty old paper license, most times to my amazement they accept it.