[net.consumers] Passports

markn@ios.UUCP (Mark Nudelman) (08/17/84)

A few years ago when I moved to California, my only ID was a
US passport.  When I tried to make a purchase at a furniture
store using my passport as ID for a check, they refused, saying
they needed to see a California driver's license and a major 
credit card.  I talked to the manager and he defended this 
policy, saying that they weren't really interested in 
IDENTIFICATION.  They just wanted to be able to use the credit 
card number to get the cash if your check bounced.  Does anyone 
know if it is legal for a store to use a credit card number 
in this way?

	Mark Nudelman
	..decwrl!ios!markn