 CAN YOU HELP? [Use of credit card in America] |
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 17:09
I'm currently investigating an alleged act of Gross Misconduct where Employee X has used Employer Y's credit card on a business trip to the States, and I wondered how credit card procedures differ over there.
If the front of the card says that the cardholder is "Employer Y Ltd" but the person presenting the credit card signs the receipt as "Employee X" shouldn't the cashier have refused the transaction, on the grounds that the signature didn't match?
This clearly wasn't the case as Employee X went on to spend a considerable sum in the Vegas casinos, but can someone explain how the American system works please? On some transactions, Employee X signed himself as Employer Y Ltd, and then on other ocassions signed himself as Employee X.
I'm happy enough that it's Gross Misconduct, but am a bit befuddled as to how so many transactions were authorised when the signatures didn't match.
Rebecca Fordham
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R.E.A.L. People Solutions Ltd
Plain-talking employment law advice & people management training
Tel: 0845 094 6242 www.realpeoplehr.com
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 17:16
Could the problem have stemmed from the signatures not being checked?
A few years ago, before the advent of chip and pin, off I went for an hours shopping for clothes (us blokes dont take too long to buy clothes! Plasma televisions we do though ... haha). With my new credit card in hand it turns out I had neglected to sign the back of it! I was amazed that not one store assistant bothered to check the back of my credit card on handing it over at the till ...
Neil Moloney
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 17:22
I've used my credit card in the States for the last 5 years - except this year :( - and I've always been amazed at how many places don't check. Last year it was all signatures and no-one ever checked.
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 17:32
I don't think many do bother and it is common to use spouse's cards and no questions asked. This is an interesting case and one similar to one I dealt with. Have Pm'd you.
Sue McGaughran
Http://www.limeone.com
T 01244 852550
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 17:39
Thanks for the PM, Sue.
What I should clarify is although the transactions took place in a casino, no gambling took place at all, and each transaction was for food and drink in some of the casino's restaurants and bars.
Rebecca Fordham
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R.E.A.L. People Solutions Ltd
Plain-talking employment law advice & people management training
Tel: 0845 094 6242 www.realpeoplehr.com
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 17:46
Crikey! That takes some bravado by any employee. A bit like writing a resignation letter.
Sue McGaughran
Http://www.limeone.com
T 01244 852550
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 20:46
Rebecca
Have just been in California - they only have PIN's for debit cards but requested photo ID everywhere except petrol stations for credit cards but didn't actually check the signature!
Amanda Barnett
Independent Financial Adviser
Tel: 0777 553 5100
Email: amanda@fairfieldfinancialservices.co.uk
Group Leader, 4N Faringdon
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Posted on 26th Aug 2008 at 21:35
They dont often check, every time i went to the states with my parents i was often allowed to go on a spending spree with dad's CC and never was an eye lid batted.
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Posted on 27th Aug 2008 at 03:32
Rebecca, I have been a regular traveller to the US for almost 15 years. Restaurants are the biggest problem with cards. The culture has always been based around the all-essential tip. In the vast marjority of cases, you are presented with your bill and the obligatory space in which to complete the tip. Only after you have completed the vocher will you sign it. Most of the time, you will be left alone to do this and the waiter wil not even collect the bill folder until after you have left. Thus, no opportunity even exists to check the signature.
As long as the US hospitality trade continues to work on the basis of "small basic - high tip", the waiter will have little incentive to carry out the checks and risk offending the customer.
This is also evidence of a long-term US problem of being early adopters. As the virtual inventors of the credit card, they have also become engrained in methods that don't easily change as technology changes.
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