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Privacy and your Driver's License
self | 8 Jan 05 | jb6

Posted on 01/08/2005 3:49:12 PM PST by jb6

Ok, here is my question: How much information does DMV give out about us. I just recently (today) ordered a pizza. The clerk tells me he needs my driver's license number (now I figured before that was to check my address), just out of curiousity I decided to ask him "why?".

"Oh," he tells me, "it's to check whether we can accept your checks or not, if your credit is good."

Now, what in tar blazes is this about? Some shmo at the pizza joint can check my credit rating? Or whether I've bounced a check (which I haven't, mind you.)?

Where is the whole privacy thing?


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: busines; business; driverslicence; id; papersplease; privacy
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1 posted on 01/08/2005 3:49:12 PM PST by jb6
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To: jb6

This is news/activism? Vanity, vanity, all is vanity.


2 posted on 01/08/2005 3:51:24 PM PST by pharmamom (I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth...and He loves Andrea Yates.)
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To: jb6

Was the pizza good?


3 posted on 01/08/2005 3:52:00 PM PST by cyborg (http://mentalmumblings.blogspot.com/)
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To: jb6
Now, what in tar blazes is this about? Some shmo at the pizza joint can check my credit rating? Or whether I've bounced a check (which I haven't, mind you.)?

Actually, when they take your DL, they are verifying that you have encoded your preference for anchovies and will automatically delete them from the pizza if so encoded.

4 posted on 01/08/2005 3:52:59 PM PST by WildTurkey
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To: jb6
"Oh," he tells me, "it's to check whether we can accept your checks or not, if your credit is good."

At this point, the proper response is, "Kiss my ass.".

5 posted on 01/08/2005 3:55:00 PM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all)
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To: jb6

I think the DL # is what they use to check you out with Telecheck, which is the deadbeat-check-identifting database.


6 posted on 01/08/2005 3:55:14 PM PST by bootless (Never Forget - And Never Again)
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To: cyborg
Tell you when I get it, but it's Papa John's so it's usually good. But the point of this still stands: I asked him how it is that they check this: "Oh we have a program that does it, that's all I know."

How nice, wonder what else it writes to a central Database?

7 posted on 01/08/2005 3:55:15 PM PST by jb6 (Truth = Christ)
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To: jb6
Were you paying by check?

Just wondering because around here they generally only take business/commercial checks (and then only if it's over $100.00 or something).

If you were intending to pay by cash I'd have looked into something else.

But if you were paying by check, they've probably been burned before and are subscribed to something that checks credit/bounced checks.

8 posted on 01/08/2005 3:55:48 PM PST by Who dat?
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To: Who dat?

Mmm, maybe, but it pings my spidy sense when joe snuff the pizza guy is checking my credit ratings on something as small as 1 pizza.


9 posted on 01/08/2005 3:57:14 PM PST by jb6 (Truth = Christ)
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To: jb6

I don't believe anyone can check your personal credit without your written permission.

That is not to say that with your drivers license and name the pizza company can not make a good estimate as to whether you are a good risk to write a check. They can check your name against a database of bad check writers and then say Yes or Nyet (most of the pizza delivery people in my neighborhood are Russian, for some reason)


10 posted on 01/08/2005 3:59:24 PM PST by cowtowney
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To: jb6

My guess is that the place has had bounced checks before and is using it for ID.


11 posted on 01/08/2005 3:59:27 PM PST by cyborg (http://mentalmumblings.blogspot.com/)
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To: jb6
Actually, I believe it is a local check verification service like telecheck. In most cases, you are asked for your DL for identification when presenting a check at places like grocery stores, etc., and you might remember them writing your DL # on the check. Well, that becomes your local identifying number in lieu of their using your SSAN. They don't do a DMV lookup but do track you by that number.

That said, some states DO sell your DL information and have opt-out schemes, etc., that you must become aware of on your own. With the Driver Privacy Protection Act, Florida now has a opt-in (you must affirmatively allow disclosure) system. See http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/DPPAInfo.html

12 posted on 01/08/2005 4:00:41 PM PST by NonValueAdded ("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good" HRC 6/28/2004)
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To: jb6

Pay cash? Use your ATM card?


13 posted on 01/08/2005 4:02:43 PM PST by Theresawithanh (2005! My resolution: FReep even MORE this year!!!)
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To: jb6

The use of the driver's license for ID is pretty much standard when registering to bid in auctions. It gives the auction company something to go on if you buy stuff and cart it off without paying, or if you hand them a bad check.


14 posted on 01/08/2005 4:07:07 PM PST by Fresh Wind (Where does bandwidth go when it is wasted?)
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To: Theresawithanh

My bank is a bit of a drive and using the local ATMs are a massive rip off: $2 from my bank and $2 from the local bank. If you get out $40 that's 10% robbery.


15 posted on 01/08/2005 4:11:05 PM PST by jb6 (Truth = Christ)
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To: NonValueAdded

I just have my DL number printed on my checks by the bank. Saves me and the clerks a bunch of time in the grocery store.


16 posted on 01/08/2005 4:34:59 PM PST by Emmett McCarthy
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To: jb6
My bank is a bit of a drive and using the local ATMs are a massive rip off: $2 from my bank and $2 from the local bank. If you get out $40 that's 10% robbery.

One way to avoid that is to use your ATM card at a grocery store, and get "cash back". There are no out-of-network charges incurred, at least with our bank there aren't.

17 posted on 01/08/2005 4:36:13 PM PST by Disambiguator
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To: Disambiguator

Really? Hmm, need to check on that one.


18 posted on 01/08/2005 4:37:19 PM PST by jb6 (Truth = Christ)
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To: jb6

The DMV hasn't done anything wrong here. The business wanted the DL number because whatever credit/check verifying service it uses indexes its info using that number. In this particular case, the DMV isn't involved, other than issuing you the license.


19 posted on 01/08/2005 4:38:03 PM PST by John Jorsett
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To: jb6

1. it is normal to ask for DL for check verification.
2. you need a better bank.
3. pay cash.


20 posted on 01/08/2005 4:38:07 PM PST by MossbergPump (embarrassed to live in Illinois)
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