Yikes. The Maritz bank employee asked me for ID...
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
I've done tons of these and never been asked for ID. Yikes is right. I would have been so shocked I might have turned mine over which would be the WRONG thing to do. Fast thinking there.
I have had that happen twice recently. I use my real name. But, I still refused to provide any ID, stating that I would provide that information when/if I actually open the account.
Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.
Yes, I have had that happen 3 or 4 times. I always use an alias, never my real name. My response is to tell the banker that he doesn't need my name or info as I don't have an account at the bank and I just need some info. If asked for my phone # so he/she can follow up I simply say "I'll take it from here". Both work just fine.
It happened to me on a similar type of shop, and I was caught off guard too. The employee asked for my ID so he could enter my address into the system. The only thing I could think of at the time was to say I'd rather not show it, which is what I would do as an actual customer. Once I had time to snap, I tried to smooth things over by mentioning the address on the ID was out of date, which is what I'll probably use in the future.
This! I'm just here for information and do not wish to give my personal info. No questions asked.
@LIJake wrote:
Yes, I have had that happen 3 or 4 times. I always use an alias, never my real name. My response is to tell the banker that he doesn't need my name or info as I don't have an account at the bank and I just need some info. If asked for my phone # so he/she can follow up I simply say "I'll take it from here". Both work just fine.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I've had them ask for my ID. That was after I told him my name was Pat Benatar.
He raised his eyebrows and asked for some ID.
I asked why he needed my personal information.
"To pull up your account," he said.
"I'm not a customer here, I'm just thinking about opening an account," I explained.
"Oh," he said, looking a bit crestfallen.
"But, my name is really Pat Benatar," I assured him.
I am such a liar! I thought to myself.
That's the life of a mystery shopper.
He raised his eyebrows and asked for some ID.
I asked why he needed my personal information.
"To pull up your account," he said.
"I'm not a customer here, I'm just thinking about opening an account," I explained.
"Oh," he said, looking a bit crestfallen.
"But, my name is really Pat Benatar," I assured him.
I am such a liar! I thought to myself.
That's the life of a mystery shopper.
Sometimes they ask for ID right away under the assumption that you are ready to open an account. I just ask if they could tell me something about the account first, something like that.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2017 12:57AM by sestrahelena.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2017 12:57AM by sestrahelena.
I never give a fake name, because I would be distracted worrying about them asking for my ID. Besides, I don't like to answer to names other than my own. It feels too strange.
Sometimes I leave my purse in the car, so I won't have to give them my bank card if they ask for it.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2017 11:12AM by Robin2.
Sometimes I leave my purse in the car, so I won't have to give them my bank card if they ask for it.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2017 11:12AM by Robin2.
I used my two standard aliases names. I've done over a dozen of those shops before was asked for ID. The first time I was asked for ID, I quickly asked why my ID was needed since I was not a customer. The banker then explained that he can fill out my information to set up the account. I replied that I wanted some information since I was shopping around for a new bank. You can also ask the banker to repeat the question to buy some time to think about a reply for the ID.
Robin, If you have a bank card that means you have an acount with that bank. Correct? By using your real name the banker can bring up all your stats - phone number, SS number, address, the works. I prefer to use an alias, first name only and same name every time. If the banker introduces him/her self it is generally by first name only so just my first name works ok.
I have accounts with the bank I do a lot of shops for. Unless I want to disclose that fact, which usually makes the shop a bit more difficult to get the stuff needed and longer, I tell them I don't have an account and give my first name only or an alias. I do banks I don't frequent personally and rarely do my main bank. When asked for my bank card or ID, (happens rarely) I tell them I don't have an account yet and was hoping to just gather information about the accounts before I provide my information. You just sort of have to role play and convince yourself that you don't have an acct. with that bank and you don't want to provide personal information until you're ready to open the account.. Repeat it to yourself before you go in and just relax and let it flow. There were a few times the banker insisted on having my social security number to be sure I did not have any old accounts or credit cards that might still be in the system. That annoys the heck out of me. I tell them firmly that I have none and never did...a lie. Then they give up and move on. But I think it's rude to ask a potential new customer for their social right off the bat.
*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
I have had it happen a couple of times because the bankers figure I am there to open up the account. I also am on the younger end of the spectrum, so bankers don't typically expect me to want to talk about accounts. They don't anticipate that I know about interest rates, savings, CD's, Money Markets, 401 K plans, IRA's & Roths, loans, etc. Basically, they see me and think I'm fresh out of high school/starting college and must want to immediately get an account open. I often have bankers ask if I am just starting school or even assume I am there to open a student account and start pulling out information. I leave everything except my keys in the car. Some bankers will ask if you have a phone, etc. and want to demo things to you. I have mystery shop apps on my phone and you never know who may recognize something.
MegglesKat
I believe my very first bank shop for that comany for Maritz as well the banker asked for my ID, too. I so wasnt prepared! Yes... keys and cell phone are all I carry in now.
TinaMarie
Yeah, I've had them ask for my ID and I tell them I'm not ready to open the account yet. I just want to find out what accounts they could offer me.
If it's the bank that Maritz is doing a lot of projects with, I have an account with them so I just pretend I am legitimately interested and don't have to worry about providing my ID. Hehehe.
If it's the bank that Maritz is doing a lot of projects with, I have an account with them so I just pretend I am legitimately interested and don't have to worry about providing my ID. Hehehe.
@HonnyBrown wrote:
This! I'm just here for information and do not wish to give my personal info. No questions asked.
@LIJake wrote:
Yes, I have had that happen 3 or 4 times. I always use an alias, never my real name. My response is to tell the banker that he doesn't need my name or info as I don't have an account at the bank and I just need some info. If asked for my phone # so he/she can follow up I simply say "I'll take it from here". Both work just fine.
Or, "I'm not to that point yet. I just want information." Agreed with HonnyBrown - there is no need to elaborate further. Just say NO!
lol. I just looked up Pat Benatar and that's not her real name 
They rarely even ask my name, and I've never had them ask for my ID. Hmmm.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2017 07:22PM by Morledzep.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2017 07:22PM by Morledzep.
@fluteplaya wrote:
lol. I just looked up Pat Benatar and that's not her real name
That is the best part of the shop other than where can one be allowed to lie and get paid!
I've also used the aliases of Merle Street and Jan or Bobbie Brady. Once, I told them I was Tommie Brady!
The look in their eyes is priceless.
I have been asked for ID before as well. The banker really didn't believe me when I said that I didn't have it and said she couldn't go any further without it. I had to almost plead with her to get information about accounts after that.
Guess he hit you with his best shot and failed!
@MountainCacher88 wrote:
I have had it happen a couple of times because the bankers figure I am there to open up the account. I also am on the younger end of the spectrum, so bankers don't typically expect me to want to talk about accounts. They don't anticipate that I know about interest rates, savings, CD's, Money Markets, 401 K plans, IRA's & Roths, loans, etc. Basically, they see me and think I'm fresh out of high school/starting college and must want to immediately get an account open. I often have bankers ask if I am just starting school or even assume I am there to open a student account and start pulling out information. I leave everything except my keys in the car. Some bankers will ask if you have a phone, etc. and want to demo things to you. I have mystery shop apps on my phone and you never know who may recognize something.
I'm in a one party consent state. I usually do an audio recording on my phone. One time The banker asked for my phone to show me the mobile apps that were available at the bank. I replied that my personal phone was a flip phone with no internet. The other phone that was clipped onto my belt was a work phone, and that personal use wasn't allowed.
When they ask for personal information, I tell them firmly that I do not give personal information until I am ready to buy, and ask them to tell me about (whatever it is that I'm shopping for).
Re: not showing ID. I've been doing a series of credit union shops where the guidelines call for me to fail to have ID. I look in my wallet incredulously, saying that I must've left it at the last apartment complex I was visiting. Acting embarrassed and apologetic sells it every time.
I shop mostly banks. There are a few occasions that you have to use an alias. This is in the Guidelines. I use my sisters name, easy to remember.
Once I stated my real first name by mistake, when the banker used my name I realized what I did and stated that he must be mistaken and gave him a sound alike name. Most of the time when they ask my name I give my first name only, I have never been questioned. The only time I use my real full name is if I just cashed a check with my name on it.
I have never had to show an ID or have given my SS#, if they request it, I just say if I open an account I will.
Once I stated my real first name by mistake, when the banker used my name I realized what I did and stated that he must be mistaken and gave him a sound alike name. Most of the time when they ask my name I give my first name only, I have never been questioned. The only time I use my real full name is if I just cashed a check with my name on it.
I have never had to show an ID or have given my SS#, if they request it, I just say if I open an account I will.
I do not consider myself a liar when I let a load of BS go. I am a thespian. I can be a street person in the intercity and be believable on one shop and change my clothes and vehicle and be believable enough to browse a tray of jewels or drive a very expensive vehicle or have a $100 lunch.
The next time you call yourself a liar be proud you are a thespian.
The next time you call yourself a liar be proud you are a thespian.
You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want ..Zig Zigler
I once had a banker ask me for ID the minute I sat down. I looked at her incredulously and asked, "Why?" She said, "So I can know who you are." I was a tad insulted so I asked her, "Well, how do I know who you are?" So she pointed to her name tag and told me her name. And then I gave her an alias, of course! I think she was a bit taken aback with how that conversation went judging from the look on her face, but she got right down to business getting me the info I initially asked for. Even if I used my real name, there is no way I'm whipping out ID just to get basic information. I have shopped other banks that actually discourage their bankers from such a practice and want to know about it in the report.
Lots of times. Usually I ask why do they need it. They will respond to pull up my account. I then say I do not have accounts with the bank. Then the shop will proceed.
Do not read so much, look about you and think of what you see there.
Richard Feynman-- letter to Ashok Arora, 4 January 1967, published in Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track (2005) p. 230
Richard Feynman-- letter to Ashok Arora, 4 January 1967, published in Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track (2005) p. 230
Any chance that the shopper doesn't look like a white, middle-class American citizen of Northern European heritage? Just wondering.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.