I walked out of an AT&T store this week

[Por_sha911]

I went in to replace my phone that was getting old. The rep said they wanted to see if I was eligible for an upgrade and asked for my drivers license so they could SCAN it. I asked why and was told it was a requirement to verify my identity. I asked if I could answer the security questions AT&T has when I call them and they said no, they HAD TO scan my license. I said 'no thanks, have a nice day" and walked out.

[Scott Douglas]

Do you currently have an AT&T account and phone?

[Sooner or later]

They require it.
https://www.att.com/support/smallbusiness/article/smb-my-account/KM1227796/

The account owner or Retail Authorized User needs to meet these requirements to manage a wireless account in a store:
Must provide a valid government-issued photo ID, which includes a driver's license, passport, or alien Registration Receipt Card with photo
May be required to provide the wireless security passcode or other information

[Por_sha911]

Yes I have ATT for phone and internet.

Provide (meaning show) my ID to show proof of who I am - sure.
Scan it into the system? Um I don't like that.

I'm going to call customer service to see about it.

[MBAtarga]

Scanning of your DL confirms YOU are who YOU say you are. I retired from AT&T in March '25. I worked in the Cybersecurity group that attempts to decrease fraud. I paid (via our program funds) the monthly bill for transactions using the DL license confirmation technology from a vendor that our group used for certain systems. The retail group (which is what deals with the AT&T stores) pay for their share of that vendor's bill.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Maybe you should go vote in CA instead. You know, for balance.

[Roswell]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Yes I have ATT for phone and internet.

Provide (meaning show) my ID to show proof of who I am - sure.
Scan it into the system? Um I don't like that.

I'm going to call customer service to see about it.

Can you order the upgrade online?

Iphone?

[PorscheGAL]

I haven't bought a phone from my carrier in 20 years. I buy an unlocked phone from Apple or Amazon. It is pretty easy to swap phones now since they don't have physical sim cards.

[GH85Carrera]

I walked into a bar to get a beer and they wanted to scan my ID before I could enter. As I am old enough 10 year old girls hold the door open for me (ack) I just left.

Last year my wife and I upgraded our old iPhone 11s to 16s. AT&T scanned my driver license to verify I am who I said I was. She said AT&T have had cased of people getting a new phone and charging it to an account, and the real owner of the account did not authorize it. I can't imagine how it happens.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

I haven't bought a phone from my carrier in 20 years. I buy an unlocked phone from Apple or Amazon. It is pretty easy to swap phones now since they don't have physical sim cards.

That’s what I do, just buy direct online. With E-sims today, you can activate whatever carrier you choose - or even multiples on the same phone, it’s great. Not sure what the big deal is about handing over a license though….

[thingmon]

Well, if you dont need one to vote...

I get it, but it is ridiculous.

Dave

[red 928]

I used to have AT&T internet and cable.

Giving that company the boot was one of the most satisfying moves I've made in a long, long time.

[vash]

reminds me of my teens when someone would use a credit card, I, as the cashier was required to check their ID. 75% if the time I would get a rash of S, shot at me. hahaha..

I remember it as a process to protect against stolen CC usage. but whatever.

I certainly wouldn't get my panties wadded up about it. I remember paying cash for a car once and they scanned my ID, just to make sure I wasnt Pablo Escobar.

[red 928]

People can always be trusted to not do something bad.
That whole "identity theft epidemic" thing is just a hoax, right?

I prefer to remain anonymous in public as much as possible and make the face-recognition software and license plate readers earn their keep.
The black helicopter guys already know who you are and where you've been but no sense in making it easy for the thieves.
Was that redundant?

[TimT]

What information exists on the bar code, that isn't on the front side of the license??

Is there some secret info that needs to be protected?

You really stuck it to AT&T

[id10t]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Scanning of your DL confirms YOU are who YOU say you are. I retired from AT&T in March '25. I worked in the Cybersecurity group that attempts to decrease fraud. I paid (via our program funds) the monthly bill for transactions using the DL license confirmation technology from a vendor that our group used for certain systems. The retail group (which is what deals with the AT&T stores) pay for their share of that vendor's bill.

no more confirmation than simply looking at the kicense

but scanning it does allow easily capturing ALL of the data on ig and storing it for later. and if you say that isnt happening i wont believe you without seeing the source code

[Baz]

I get a check up twice a year, each time preceded by a blood test. I use Quest each time for my blood test and at "check in" I'm asked to lay my DL into a reader tray at the kiosk, which I do. Front side first - back side next.

I don't mind - they do a great job at my Quest location - very efficient and fantastic personalities.

[Deschodt]

Driver licence eh ? you would have hated my mortgage application then ;-) I think the only thing I didn't supply was a stool sample.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by TimT

What information exists on the bar code, that isn't on the front side of the license??

Is there some secret info that needs to be protected?

You really stuck it to AT&T

Just thinking about the goal which is reduction of theft and liability, if the employee scans the license, then the information is analyzed by computer which is not going to make a mistake in checking dates, names, etc..., not going to take $50 to look the other way, and having a computerized record of the check (not necessarily of the information, but that the check was done and passed) likely goes a long way toward reducing the liability of ATT.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

I get a check up twice a year, each time preceded by a blood test. I use Quest each time for my blood test and at "check in" I'm asked to lay my DL into a reader tray at the kiosk, which I do. Front side first - back side next.

I don't mind - they do a great job at my Quest location - very efficient and fantastic personalities.

Not that it's any guaranty of top notch security, but anything medical is more likely to have some of the best security available due to HIPAA. There are still medical folks that get information stolen, but I think you're less likely to have an issue from a medical (especially a large one like Qwest or Labcorp) than from a lot of other businesses. Financial companies (large banks) are probably the other top tier of companies with top notch security.

Again, yes, it's not a guaranty, and any/every company, especially that has desirable information is likely to get hacked eventually.