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When I went to pay for my items with my debit card and a kohl's gift card they Insisted on having my social security number. I have been cautioned many times to never use my social security number for identification because of possible identity theft. I asked if I could use some other form of identification and they said no, it had to be my social security number. The clerk said this was for my own protection. They refused my purchase without it and my daughter said she would give them hers and pay with her debit card which I did not want her to do. When it went through under her card they did not ask for her social security number. I admit I was starting to get angry. I have an excellent credit rating and had had an excellent credit rating all of my life. Why did I get such shabby treatment? I had just gone back to Kohl's recently after a prior problem about a year and a half ago when the clerk kept trying to force me to get a credit card from Kohl's and wouldn't ring up my purchase while he kept arguing that I should get this credit card.. He finally rang it up when I started to get mad. I gave Kohl's a second chance but I will never ever go there again.I remember one time when the computer was compromised at a different store and someone charged items to my credit card. What if they had my debit card information and bank information on that occasion? I could have lost every cent I have.
I think the cashier was in the wrong to insist upon it...
But I think I know what happened.
We have a button that we push if you want to sign up for a Kohl's charge, so that when you swipe your card, it starts the application process. The first question it asks you is for your social security number. I've accidentally hit that several times in the past. The cashier may have accidentally brushed it or pressed it during your transaction, and just didn't know why the register was asking for it.
Of course, that's if the pinpad was asking you for your SSN...If it wasn't, then it was just the cashier, and you probably should have asked for the manager. Cause I can't think of any time that I've ever been told to ask for a customer's SSN.
They only possible explanation for this, that i can come up with, is that you were applying for a kohl's card.
During the application process, you swipe your bankcard. This is only to verify your identity and pull your name off of the magnectic strip on the back. It can be done manually without swiping the card.
Then they ask for your SSN to process the application, among other information. This can be done at the touchpad, but sometimes the cashiers are too lazy in the brain to remember how to do it properly during or after a transaction, So instead, they will ask for your SSN and information outloud or turn the register screen around for you to do it yourself. And yes, to get a credit card, you have to use your SSN.
Kohl's Credit social security number "policy" is draconian if not illegal.
One cannot access anything unless you give part of your social security number, as well as your name, birthdate and full account number. They will not even verify whether you have a balance on your account or anything else unless they get their demade met to provide the SS#.
Someone that wants to pursue this, maybe should file a Federal lawsuit against Kohl's.
As for my house, we are going to cancel this evil card.
people the kohl's card isn't worth it, what if their computers get hacked ?
It happened to me today. Card was not on me- she didn't ask for my last name or phone numebr which is how Stop & Shop or True Value do it. She asked for my SS number. Every responsible adult knows not to give out your social. When we were overseas, embassy officials always warned us about securing our SS number. The only reason I think they want this is so that their 'cache or database of personal data' is robust and more valuable in the corporate consumer goods/retail world. There needs to be a class action lawsuit or a Federal investigation. Corporations will do what they want until they get slapped, especially when the public consumer is involved, - (conflicts with other businesses is another matter- they are wary of corporate suits). I'll do what I can on FB and social media to undo this activity of theirs. Suggest you do the same.
When I tried to pay my bill at Kohls in Joplin, MO, the employee asked for my complete social security number. I objected, but she said I could not pay the bill without giving her that information. Under protest, I gave her my SSN, but I also told her that Kohls had just lost a customer.