Court Says California Stores Can't Ask Customers For ZIP Codes 461
Hugh Pickens writes writes "CNN reports that the California Supreme Court has ruled that retailers in California don't have the right to ask customers for their ZIP code while completing credit card transactions, saying that doing so violates a cardholders' right to protect his or her personal information, pointing to a 1971 state law that prohibits businesses from asking credit cardholders for 'personal identification information' that could be used to track them down. 'The legislature intended to provide robust consumer protections by prohibiting retailers from soliciting and recording information about the cardholder that is unnecessary to the credit card transaction,' the decision states. 'We hold that personal identification information ... includes the cardholder's ZIP code.' In her lawsuit, Jessica Pineda claimed that a cashier at Williams-Sonoma had asked for her ZIP code during a purchase — information that was recorded and later used, along with her name, to figure out her home address by tapping a database that the company uses to market products to customers and sell its compiled consumer information to other businesses."
Re:Worse is (Score:5, Funny)
I tell stores "you don't need my zip code" when they ask.
Please, please tell me you wave your hand as you say that.
Re:Does that really solve the problem? (Score:4, Funny)
It is not illegal in California for a retailer to see a person's ZIP code or address, the ruling notes: For instance, one can request a customer's driver's license to verify his or her identity. What makes it wrong is when a business records that information, according to the ruling, especially when the practice is "unnecessary to the sales transaction."
Meaning (on the line of "what can possibly go wrong" and other /. memes):
1. show them the CC and the driver license if they request it.
2. Make sure their CCTV camera records it
3. sue them for recoding the data (if you can prove the CCTV is working and they are maintaining the recordings)
4. profit
Re:Worse is (Score:5, Funny)
You know, if you're bothered by a letter out of place, that makes you the week one.
Re:Worse is (Score:0, Funny)
For those playing this game in canada, your postal is V4G 1N4 and you're from BC.
Re:Worse is (Score:4, Funny)
A regional grocery store that I frequent sometimes makes a habit of requiring a zip code, even for cash purchases.
It goes like this:
Them: "Can I have your zip code please?"
Me: "No."
Them: "But I need it to complete the sale."
Me: "No, you don't."
Them: "But it won't let me go any further without a zip code."
Me: "So what?"
Them: "Can I have your zip code?"
Me: "No. You don't need it."
Them (finally): "I'll have to call my manager."
Me: "Finally."
Manager: *keys in 00000, moves on with life*
Re:Worse is (Score:4, Funny)
123 '); DROP TABLE Customers; --
Bearville North, MN 55723