I was shocked when I had to go off my Verizon plan (happy as heck to leave Verizon) and bought a pre-paid cell with no contract (Virgin Mobile) at Radio Shack. The salesman told me I had to provide a Govt.-issued-ID, that there is an FCC law now enacted to allegedly thwart criminals by recording and storing a legitimate Govt. issued ID to buy a phone. Sales guy said whomever sells and whomever buys gets in big trouble if NO ID is presented. Wish they would be as dilligent for voting fraud, illegal immigrant fraud, etc.
That’s interesting, because I’ve had to replace my phone at least twice, and never had to show ID at all.