Forwarded message:

Date: Mon, 23 Dec 1996 11:14:00 -0500 (EST) From: Michael Gurski <mgursk1@umbc.edu> Subject: Re: Legality of requiring credit cards? (fwd)

Yes, and if I'd *ever* written a bad check, it would be a different story. The weasel there basically said that because I'd made purchases there in the past few days, they tried to contact my bank on a Sunday afternoon.... (No, I don't get it either)

But that still doesn't answer whether or not a credit card can be requested when paying by check.

They can do whatever the hell they want. Whether it makes any difference to the store's bottom line is another question. What some places will do is call the card number down to the credit offices, who will run an authorization (*not a charge) for one dollar on that card number, figuring that if the Visa/MC system won't even authorize a dollar, they'd better not take the check. Personally, I don't think the process helps much. It's all a part of Corporate Cover-Your-Own-Ass Culture. "Yes, the check bounced, but we followed the procedures in the employee manual!" "We're committed to taking definite steps to fight shrinkage!" People on the list could probably come up with much better ways to authenticate a reputation. Until then, for personal checks, you can call any bank in the U.S., ask for bookkeeping, and ask them if there are funds in the bank to cover the check you're holding. Any bank should give you a yes or no on this. Some banks, like the First Banks here in Minnesota, will do this through their automated telephone banking services, 24 hours. Now, for the rest of you who are calling for the government, of all people, to protect your privacy, please......take that personal check, picture ID and MasterCard, go down to the after-Christmas sales, and buy a clue. --CG