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My 1st question is: Who is the best Lending Tree mortgage company to go with in Michigan? Many thanks for any answer or 2. Second question.. Haveing visited a Fried-Mans Jewelery Store yesterday and having picked out a $600 necklace for the wife as a aniversary gift, I was requested by the sales lady to come to the register and pay for my purchase..

Having received the total purchase amount including taxes, I proceeded to write them a check.The sales lady asked for my I.D. etc and then proceeded to verify that the check was good with the bank..

At this point, after having placed the gift in a bag, and handing it to me, the sales lady says... By the way, we need your fingerprint on the back of the check , It helps cut down on fraud..

This really blew me away, and ticked me off, they had allready verifyied my id with 2 pcs of identification and had made sure the check was good with the bank..

I told the younglady that I was not a criminal and would not be treated like one, to give me the check back and I would pay via credit card..her response...

Well Sir, we will also need your fingerprint if you choose to pay by credit card, the only way we dont require fingerprinting is if you pay by cash...

I understand that this may just be there corporate way of conducting business, and I excersised my options as to doing business with there company and walked out the door..

Is this legal, are there not laws against it?, especially with the credit card, Ive never once read in any of my credit card paperwork where I must submit my fingerprints in order to use it.

>thru venting<..

asked Mar 02 at 19:17

Esther
's gravatar image

Esther
39


I'm stumped. I'm not so sure what is the answer to your question. I'll do some investigation and get back to you if I bump into an useful answer. You should email the people at Lending Tree as they probably could assist you..

answered Mar 02 at 19:40

Griffin's gravatar image

Griffin
577

FINGER PRINT FOR CHECK IS A GREY AREA~~BUT CREDIT CARD~~THAT CROSSES THE LINE!!!!!!!!!.

TURN IN THE STORE TO VISA/MC!!!!!!!..

answered Mar 02 at 19:53

Guadalupe
's gravatar image

Guadalupe
849

CONTACT YOUR STATE AG AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.....

answered Mar 02 at 21:30

Luna
's gravatar image

Luna
3441

TURN IN THE STORE TO VISA/MC!!!!!!!.

George, thats what I was thinking of, but will it really do any good?..

answered Mar 02 at 22:56

Mark's gravatar image

Mark
3811

It was NOT clear...DID YOU EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO SHOP AT ANOTHER STORE???..

answered Mar 02 at 23:22

Erik's gravatar image

Erik
2371

THEY CAN "PULL" THEIR CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT...they would no-longer be able to accept credit cards...I'M SURE THAT WOULD POSSIBLY PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.....

answered Mar 03 at 01:02

Mackenzie
's gravatar image

Mackenzie
4618

Yep George, I ended up going to Kays Jewelers, when I walked thru the door the first question I asked them was ..Are yall going to try and fingerprint me if I write a check or use a CC??.

Needless to say the salesfolks were dumbfounded lol.

I actually ended up getting a better necklace for for $150 less than what I would of paid at fried-mans, without the hassle...

answered Mar 03 at 02:15

Brady's gravatar image

Brady
521

THEY CAN "PULL" THEIR CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT...they would no-longer be able to accept credit cards...I'M SURE THAT WOULD POSSIBLY PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.

George, I doubt if they will pull a multi-million dollar year account on just my word, but, I think I'm gonna pfb Fried-mans and do a CC to visa and mc and see what comes of it..

What really disturbs me is that with the technology avaliable today, one could take the image of your fingerprint, and make a duplicate copy and apply this to a pieace of latex and create a overlay false fingerprint bearing your prints signature. KAABOOB! Fraud in the biggest sense of the word..

You can actually buy latex prints on-line,, scary stuff huh?..

answered Mar 03 at 03:33

Jaime's gravatar image

Jaime
919

The F.B.I. might be interested also...FOR A CREDIT CARD~~.

I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!!!!!!.

They are paid IN FULL if they check the signature and drivers license if un-signed...and they get an AUTHORIZATION #...THE END (THEY GET PAID)~~VISA/MC do not expect ANY business to investigate any credit card fraud...every credit card company has their own SECURITY DEPARTMENT...even if the customer does not pay the bill...THE BUSINESS STILL GET'S PAID!!!..

answered Mar 03 at 03:57

Cullen's gravatar image

Cullen
769

I'd say nope, but I'll give ya a urine sample, right here in the middle of your paperwork, so ya don't lose it..

Buawahahahahaa...

answered Mar 03 at 04:13

Aniya
's gravatar image

Aniya
4838

I know there here in the south George. If I'm not mistaken it's a publicly traded corp..

Further research reveals... Public traded Corp, 600 stores, located in the southeast and midwest...

answered Mar 03 at 05:03

Fernando's gravatar image

Fernando
4049

Butch I am laughing so hard right now.

A couple times when I have cashed checks at wachovia they have asked me to put a print on the check.

Why does anyone pay by check these days anyway? they just hold up the line LOL..

answered Mar 03 at 06:35

Sawyer's gravatar image

Sawyer
4632

I cashed a check at my bank for $1,000 NO ID...NO STINKIN' FINGER PRINTS!!!.

I would say you can have my TOE PRINT!!!..

answered Mar 03 at 06:42

Troy's gravatar image

Troy
2537

Welcome to the brave, new world guys/gals..

If you're not doing nothing wrong, what is there to be afraid of by leaving a finger/toe print?.

"Trust And Verify".

In God We Trust, all others pay cash.....

answered Mar 03 at 06:53

Nicolas's gravatar image

Nicolas
655

BUT what are they going to do with the finger prints...when the credit card company pays.

Them in <72 hours???..

answered Mar 03 at 07:32

Samantha
's gravatar image

Samantha
3779

Good point...unless they are afraid of a future chargeback due to some technicality? That's a stab in the dark, of course.....

answered Mar 03 at 09:00

Jesse's gravatar image

Jesse
292

I expect that next time they'll ask for a DNA sample for analysis. This would check the genetic features of your character and try to predict how likely you are to dispute the charge...

answered Mar 03 at 10:03

Kamryn
's gravatar image

Kamryn
1468

What about the fact that they are in violation of their Visa MC agreement? Or is that OK, and a consumer saying "I don't want to do that" means that they have something to hide?.

Where did you get this twisted view of things, LOL? This is a free country. I don't have to do anything - I can shop somewhere else, and it doesn't mean I have something to hide. It just means I don't want my fingerprints in their files...

answered Mar 03 at 11:33

Madeline
's gravatar image

Madeline
4466

Ron, although I'm sure this has happened once or twice, for you to insist that people stealing stuff from a atore and then returning to that store trying to get a refund is a massive, nationwide problem is substantially below the level of intelegence for the participants of CreditNet..

Welcome aboard BTW..

:)..

answered Mar 03 at 13:10

Abbigail
's gravatar image

Abbigail
4975

[quote].

Originally posted by allen074.

Me: just make up a number.

My local Checker Auto store also asks for a phone number. The last time I went in there I made up a number off the top of my head. The counterman acknowledged me as the person who's number I came across. I replied, "Maybe it's me, maybe it's not!" He looked at me like I was crazy and took my money ($1.35 for a quart of oil), I left..

Next time I'll ask, "Are you going to call me?"..

answered Mar 03 at 14:13

Elijah's gravatar image

Elijah
941

They always get my name and fax number. Been doin it that way for decades..

NOBODY has EVER faxed me anything..

LOL..

answered Mar 03 at 14:45

Xavier's gravatar image

Xavier
372

Ummmmm, anyone considered addressing the shoplifters and shoplifting directly a proactive response that addresses the problem instead of a reactive response that assumes we are all shoplifters?.

Sassy..

answered Mar 03 at 15:03

Weston's gravatar image

Weston
1358

And if anyone thinks, they are ULTIMATELY doing this to prevent shoplifting hasn't read Sassy's post on Experian and Equifax, nor do they understand why insurance companies pull credit reports for car insurance..

Who was it that said something about a national database..hmmm. wonder what they could do with that....

answered Mar 03 at 15:55

Raul's gravatar image

Raul
4627

Thank you for saying that I am substantially below the level of intelligence because you don't understand something. Why don't you talk to some of the senior people in the companies and you would find out before you insult someone who does know what they are talking about. I was involved in the process and was trained as the manager responsible for the program in the store. I also have been the one to catch shoplifters in the act because we found out that certain people were returning items far in excess of normal rates..

BTW, I have been on the board for awhile. I don't offer comments unless I know what I am talking about or to ask for help from others...

answered Mar 03 at 16:49

Penelope
's gravatar image

Penelope
243

I can agree with your feelings, however what do you propose be done. Any action taken would offend some. There are those who don't want video used, others who don't want store personnel to watch for theft, etc. Every method that has been devised does have drawbacks. Especially when the store personnel are not trained properly..

Ron..

answered Mar 03 at 17:34

Darius's gravatar image

Darius
759

Well Ron, I guess then you should encourage the shoplifters to sell their stolen merchandise (pawn shops, swap meets) instead. It's apparent to me you've accepted the shoplifting..

Sassy..

answered Mar 03 at 17:38

Braeden's gravatar image

Braeden
453

Ron,.

As an expert in your field, i'm sure you also know that most "shoplifting" comes from EMPLOYEES within the store/company not the avg. 15 year old boy or whoever you think is stealing from your store...

answered Mar 03 at 19:04

Theodore's gravatar image

Theodore
2865

I have no idea how you came to that conclusion. Remember that I worked to stop shoplifters during the 80s. Had them arrested and sent to jail. I am for using all legal means to get rid them period. I am not the one who complained about having to show an id. I explained why some stores require it.

I don't really like to provide it either now that I am just a customer but if it helps nab even a few then I am willing to put up with it...

answered Mar 03 at 19:38

Rodrigo's gravatar image

Rodrigo
2227

Actually that isn't quite right. Most shoplifting is done by non-employees while the largest dollar amounts are almost always done by employees. As a matter of fact when I was promoted to security manager position it was because the prio security manager and 4 others were sent to jail for stealing from the store. They managed to get a truck load on 3 occasions before they were caught..

I only work part time now due to health problems, and the store that I work at had over $960K in shrinkage this year. While there were probally 30 times as many shoplifting incidents that the store knows about as there were empolyee thefts at least 2/3rds of the money came from employee theft..

Also most shoplifting losses are not done by 15 year olds. They are done by adults who are proffesionals at it. While the kids who shoplift outnumber others in total cases they tend to take small items as dares or for personal use. While there are a lot of them they tend not to be as costly to the store as people who do it all the time to make money..

As far as Butchs statement that it is not a national problem, I suggest you go to.

Http://www.crimedoctor.com/shoplifting.htm.

And read the page. Of particular interest is this section..

"Shoplifting losses will vary by store type, but can account for about one-third of the total inventory shrinkage. It is estimated that shoplifting occurs 330 - 440 million times per year at a loss of $10 - $13 billion dollars. Nationwide, that equates to 1.0 - 1.2 million shoplift incidents everyday at a loss rate of $19,000 - $25,300 dollars stolen per minute. When you factor in employee and vendor theft, this sum skyrockets to an estimate of $33 billion dollars stolen per year. ".

I would definately say a million or more incidents a day is a national problem..

Ron..

answered Mar 03 at 20:45

Simon's gravatar image

Simon
1175

Honestly Ron,.

I think it's a combination of factors, foremost of which is our society of decreasing foundational and moralistic values. A justice system that slaps people instead of punishing them and holding them accountable for their choices. A lack of personal responsiblity. A lack of a personal belief system that imposes consequences and responsibilities beyond this planet. None of which are solved by requiring an ID for exchanges. Why don't you just refuse to accept merchandise returned for a cash exchange?.

I believe you said after 5/6 times of exchanging the person will be watched more closely or something close. If shoplifting is that big of a problem, you need to be watching before they are returning 5/6 times regardless of whether they then return to make an exchange..

Sassy..

answered Mar 03 at 21:42

Colby's gravatar image

Colby
2493

>>It also helps to identify those who are constantly buying and returning products just as a free rental. This happens far more frequently than most people are aware of. <<.

Man. My roommate's prior landlord used to do this scam. It pissed my roommate and I off. The landlord was such a cheap bastard. He would buy a hammer at the hardware store, use it for a job, then return it. He was so proud of himself for it too.

Boy are we glad have nothing to do with that guy anymore..

PS and OT... he was a terrible landlord. He stole my roommate's private fridge one night and we found out later that it ended up being used at another one of his properties where the fridge had broken down. When he threatened to call the cops on the landlord (who had no idea what happened, so he claimed), the fridge showed up one morning. What the LL did not know is that we knew the other tenant through our office building. He had described to us his "new" replacement fridge, which turned out to be the missing fridge..

We got him back. I rented my two empy rooms in my house to both of these guys who have turned out to be great roommates. We did all this in the middle of the night and stiffed the landlord who then had 2 fridgeless vacancies which he could not rent. He raised all kinds of hell, but we told him that he tries anything, we will file charges for theft of property...

answered Mar 03 at 21:43

Talia
's gravatar image

Talia
1347

"Giggle, Well Ron, first I did not say that YOU were sub standard in your intelegence. How you made that giant leap I'm not sure. :) ".

Lets not play games. You made the assertation that for me to insist what actaully happens is substantially below the level of intelegence for the participants of CreditNet. That is the same thing. You asserted that my statement showed substandard intelligence when the problem is that you didn't know what you were talking about..

"Thanks, I already have. ".

Then you should know better..

"Caught them in the act of doing what? Shoplifting, or shoplifting and then bringing the same items back to the same store for a refund. Which IS what my point was about. Please re-read my post. ".

Both. If we had not found evidence of the action, we would not have taken an action that cost us money, time, and goodwill from our customers..

To develop a database for all sores in a chain is expensive. Implementing new procedures and training for front desk, management, and security is also expensive. Then upsetting those customers who have done nothing wrong and just want to return an item is really expensive in future sales..

"But people who steal and then return those same items to the same store for a refund is NOT. That level of stupidity does exist, but it's rare. lol ".

Ask local police officers or you local prosecuter. It is not that rare an occurence anymore..

"Nor did I suggest you didn't know what you're talking about. ".

Obviously, when you make a remark like you did, you suggesting that..

I really don't care to argue with you or to waste a lot more time on this thread. However, just realize you should not start assuming someone is wrong because you don't know something...

answered Mar 03 at 22:32

Jacoby's gravatar image

Jacoby
4481

Sassy,.

I will agree about your first points. As for why we don't refuse everyone, think about it for a minute as the person who bought an item that they could not use after all. Should they have to lose their money because they made a mistake? As you pointed out earlier, we should not assume everyone is a thief..

As for watching before they return things a number of times; again, you said we should not assume everyone is a shoplifter. You have to take a balanced approach to stop the problem as much as possible while trying not to be to onerous on your customers. We watch for action through the whole store the entire time. However if someone takes action that we know is likely to indicate shoplifting then there is increased scrutiny...

answered Mar 03 at 23:07

Francisco's gravatar image

Francisco
3851

Lol they can have your fingerprints on the card cause you handed it them ;) and your fingerprint it probably on the check (liftable) when you handed it to them..

Which reminds me, the folks at galyans typed in my whole drivers license info on a $20 return into their computer. I was very patient, but normally would have told someone to F OFF on a $20 return with receipt back to the same credit card...

Lol.

The security models they build are still flawed, fingerprint or not. I guess they haven't seen charlies angels or something...

answered Mar 04 at 00:32

Zackary's gravatar image

Zackary
545

However, just realize you should not start assuming someone is wrong because you don't know something..

Ronpurvis.

=====================.

I have seen some people do just that in response to me...

answered Mar 04 at 02:01

Noah's gravatar image

Noah
2035

"I wasn't suggesting you refuse anyone, Ron, only exchanging items for cash. Could you not issue a store credit in the same amount? ".

They do use store credit as a method to keep the problem under control also. The idea is take a multi layered approach. Keep in mind the 80/20 rule when dealing with security. 80% of the problem can be solved with 20% of the effort. Tyring to solve the last little bit of the problem takes the vast majority of the effort..

"I don't think having securiy to PREVENT the shoplifting in the first place makes anyone a thief or implies so. The idea wasn't to single out individuals, it was to change the environment that the thieves are thriving in.".

However to catch a pro, you do have to single them out. If you are not actively watching that person they will be able to slip by. Think how hard it is to catch a skilled magician when he does a trick. Shoplifting pros are extremely good at slight of hand also. In addition they normally work as teams, with one or more members of the team to distract you..

Ron..

answered Mar 04 at 02:37

Calvin's gravatar image

Calvin
3854

A proper id is one thing, I had presented two I.D.s, the young lady made sure the check was good with the bank, there was no reason to ask me for my fingerprints on a check purchase or a CC purchase, I was purchasing a item, not returning one...

answered Mar 04 at 03:36

Paxton's gravatar image

Paxton
4341

You are absolutely right. That is not the same thing as what I had replied to originally..

Ron..

answered Mar 04 at 04:01

Vanessa
's gravatar image

Vanessa
266

Just posted a public pfb on friedman's inc. I bet I get no response...

answered Mar 04 at 05:09

Brody's gravatar image

Brody
1529

Once I cashed a check for $1,000 at Wachovia (loan check), fingerprint..

Another time I cashed a $20,000 personal check at Suntrust...no fingerprint. They gave me $200 cash and a $19,800 cashiers check..

Then I took the cashiers check to Wachovia...NO fingerprint..

So at Wachovia, if I cash $1,000 they want one, cashing $19,800 they don't? I'm an account holder, but still...weird...

answered Mar 04 at 06:09

Jazmine
's gravatar image

Jazmine
2597

Georgiaboy, what part of ga are you in? I am in atlanta :).

Nice letter - lets see if you get any results with it..

answered Mar 04 at 07:07

Cody's gravatar image

Cody
2431

Everytime I cash a check at wells fargo, I have to do a fingerprint..and I AM A FRIGGIN ACCOUNT HOLDER!.

I got a signature Lending Tree loan last week and had to put my fingerprint on the app as well btw...weird. sig Lending Tree loan was from Educational Employees Credit Union...

answered Mar 04 at 08:28

Mathew's gravatar image

Mathew
428

Allen, I'm so close to Atl, that I could spit and hit ya lol..

answered Mar 04 at 08:29

Rodney's gravatar image

Rodney
1699

Aruthor, I have cashed checks in banks with amounts anywheres from 10k to 30k and walked out with those amounts in cash, with no fingerprints taken. 2 I.D.s is all that was required,, although I did have one bank ask for my prints on a 3k check, I declined and just made a deposit intomy account..

On the other hand, Ive written car dealer ships checks in excess of 17k, took possesion of the car, drove off the lot,, nothing but my sig on a sales contract, no i.ds..

Ive done the same with heavy equippment, wrote a check in excess of 19k, no ids, no fingerprints, took possession of the equipment and left the lot..

Why the hell a retailer wants fingerprints on a check or credit card purchase is beyond me, it's not like we were talking 50mm lol..

answered Mar 04 at 08:36

Jaylen's gravatar image

Jaylen
556

Legal question pertaining to this thread.Educated responses highly welcome..

If I go back into one of these stores, and they deny me service because I will not provide a fingerprint during a credit card transaction,,, would this be grounds for a civil suit, and if so, under what grounds??..

answered Mar 04 at 09:13

Emmanuel's gravatar image

Emmanuel
1099

I would think as long as they did it to everyone, they have the right to require whatever they want as a requirement. If they singled you for some reason, then you would have cause for a suit (for a check, not sure about a CC)..

Gib..

answered Mar 04 at 10:37

Macie
's gravatar image

Macie
2795

Might be a stretch, but maybe tortious intereference of a business relationship between you and the credit card company. Any thoughts from the legal minds?.

Gib..

answered Mar 04 at 11:49

Lily
's gravatar image

Lily
666

I would want to see the control practices deployed to protect my rights. befor I put my dabs on anything..

And I would require a bond to cover my costs ect should the information be used incorrectly..

I need to protect my rights like they need to protect their money ..

But my rights come first..

If you dont't think the ID process is intrusive ask anyone who was tatooed in a labor camp..

It's not fredom it's control..

Some pinhead judge in Podunk writes a court order and all your prints become public domain..

I was under NDA so I cannot divulge the name but I can tell you I worked for large bank and their security of paper and data was lousy..

Whats funny is I live in NYC and I have never heard of any of this fingerprint stuff. It would last about a nano second around here...

It's a null issue for me as the got has my dabs as I was bonded. But it's the point and principal..

The reason the the founding fathers wrote the constitution..

To preseve the rights of the people not create rights for companies..

Truth justiceand the comics..

answered Mar 04 at 12:54

Dayana
's gravatar image

Dayana
4617

Maybe that is what Innovis is up to.......in a data collecting mode..

-Cliff..

answered Mar 04 at 14:25

Sasha
's gravatar image

Sasha
2004

Ive just looked at a comment over at PFB on the letter I have sent to friedmans, the poster of the comment states "Have I ever heard of idenity fraud".

Can anyone tell me how I can respond to her comment.It seems pfb will not allow me to comment on my own letter..

Like... Lady,Im trying to protect my id, not give it out to be copied and used at a later date by someone to drain my bank account with a copy of my fingerprint.and other personal info that is collected during a simple biz transaction..

The copying of fingerprints is possible, just do a search for false fingerprints , latex fingerprints etc...

answered Mar 04 at 15:31

Emilio's gravatar image

Emilio
3066

My reply would be " have you ever heard of abuse of private information retained by private companies'.

Subtitled I have rights as an individual and chose not to share them with you..

Then start wearing trojans on your pinkies ROFL..

answered Mar 04 at 16:29

David's gravatar image

David
2311

Oz, I agree with ya lol, but at the moment my problem is that pfb will not allow me to place a comment on my own letter..

The lady that replied, her comment sounds very corporate to me lol, wouldnt doubt if she is not a employee of Friedman's Inc...

answered Mar 04 at 18:01

Aniyah
's gravatar image

Aniyah
1625

Post a link to your letter. We will tell her what's what. They're your darn fingerprints and you don't have to give them to anyone, hahahaha!!!..

answered Mar 04 at 19:15

Journey
's gravatar image

Journey
88

Also you could link to wav file that sings.

Trojan hand.

Trojan hand.

When you don't need to lose your privacy use the trojan hand....

answered Mar 04 at 20:33

Rose
's gravatar image

Rose
1404

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