privacy violation? Sprint store photocopied my driver's license

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KJ - 02 Sep 2007 13:13 GMT

I just purchased a phone & new agreement at a local Sprint store. They
photocopied my driver's license and told me it the copy was being
sent, along with a copy of the receipt, to "Sprint HQ", and that this
was done to "protect me" from anyone trying to impersonate me at the
store.

Does Sprint have such a policy, or is this just the practise of this
particular retail store?

-KJ

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Wooly - 02 Sep 2007 14:35 GMT

> I just purchased a phone & new agreement at a local Sprint store. They
> photocopied my driver's license and told me it the copy was being
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> -KJ

Sounds odd to me - we bought two Moguls and a (insert free with new
service phone) in late July. The only thing they asked us for was the
account number for our service with that other carrier. We paid with
plastic, I think the clerk asked my husband for his drivers' license to
verify the signature and that's it.

In your shoes I'd be talking to the store manager to find out what that
was all about. Because really - a b&w copy of a small bad photo isn't
going to protect you from anything, I'm thinking.

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KJ - 02 Sep 2007 15:22 GMT

> > I just purchased a phone & new agreement at a local Sprint store. They
> > photocopied my driver's license and told me it the copy was being
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> was all about. Because really - a b&w copy of a small bad photo isn't
> going to protect you from anything, I'm thinking.

I asked the manager about the practice. He said the following:

* That, for every sale, he is required to send a copy of the DL and
receipt to Sprint HQ (so-called corporate policy)
* That he does not keep a copy of the license on hand
* That it was done for "my protection"; since anyone could walk into
the store and claim to be me, they would now have some record of me
(which contradicts the second point)

I forgot to mention that they handed the copy of my DL back to me
after the sale, but I believe the data had already been scanned into
some sort of device by that time. Also, I bought another phone there
recently and they did the same (scanned/made copy of DL and receipt).

The store manager did get a bit testy when I confronted him about
this. And the discussion was ended amicably. However, I now feel I
should return to the store to ask him to destroy any copies of my DL
he may have. Not that I expect him to comply in any way with my
request.

Note: I do realize it is partly my fault for not asking why I had to
hand my license to them before doing so. Never again!

-KJ

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Wooly - 02 Sep 2007 15:53 GMT

> I asked the manager about the practice. He said the following:
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> the store and claim to be me, they would now have some record of me
> (which contradicts the second point)

Hm, very very odd, since the justifications are contradictory. Time to
start making phone calls - to Sprint corporate (the store manager should
be glad to provide you with a direct number so you can verify his
statements, yeah?), maybe to the FCC and the FTC.

Keep an eye on your credit reports, too.

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FloydinTampa - 02 Sep 2007 18:05 GMT

> Hm, very very odd, since the justifications are contradictory.

They aren't necessarily contradictory. If they scanned your DL and sent the
image to HQ then that image could be available at each sprint store whenever
your account is accessed by a sprint sales agent. Having your photo come up
in an insert on their sales monitor would prevent someone not resembling you
from conducting any business using your ID, at least in person. It is
possible that DL photos are public, since many news agencies seem to use
them for their stories, is it not?
I can't imagine an ID thief having the balls to make a personal appearance,
but I bet we will be seeing more of this type of ID validation as the
technology improves, and as thieves become more proficient at their trades.

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newman - 03 Sep 2007 14:54 GMT

why can't they just ask for DL each time you need something from the store?
I just purchased a phone & new agreement at a local Sprint store. They
photocopied my driver's license and told me it the copy was being
sent, along with a copy of the receipt, to "Sprint HQ", and that this
was done to "protect me" from anyone trying to impersonate me at the
store.

Does Sprint have such a policy, or is this just the practise of this
particular retail store?

-KJ

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nativenyerintexas - 04 Sep 2007 14:43 GMT

Why not just say you left your license at home and got a ride from a friend?
Do you think they'll really say you can't buy a phone without a license? I
think not.

> why can't they just ask for DL each time you need something from the store?
> I just purchased a phone & new agreement at a local Sprint store. They
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> -KJ

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Notan - 04 Sep 2007 14:59 GMT

> Why not just say you left your license at home and got a ride from a friend?
> Do you think they'll really say you can't buy a phone without a license? I
> think not.

<snip>

And be sure to bring cash, as most credit card or check transactions usually
requires a driver's license for identification.

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Notan

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