UPS requires photo ID for shipping

[Newsjock]

Source: CNN

UPS is stepping up security measures during the holiday season by expanding its requirement for the use of government-issued photo ID to verify customer identity.

All customers who make a shipment through any retail location and do not have a pre-printed shipping label attached must show a photo ID, according to a statement from the company released Tuesday.

Customers shopping at either The UPS Store or a Mail Boxes Etc. location have been included in the newest security upgrade. Since 2005, customers have had to show their photo ID when shipping from UPS Customer Centers, but the security rule is being expanded.

Read more: http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/07/news/companies/ups_security_photo_id/

[MineralMan]

1. I have no problem with this policy.

Fire away...

[Robbien]

3. Verifying ID of senders of packages is okay but

it doesn't stop there. They build a data base of all packages sent by a individual. This data base of course will be made available to government officials. Not cool.

[Dappleganger]

4. I don't mind this either.

[MineralMan]

5. Of course they do. They're a business. Do you have any

idea how many businesses maintain databases that include customer information? Unless you shop only with cash, you're in a bunch of them.

I have a UPS account. They know every package I have ever sent through them. What's that to me? I know they're keeping track of that. Why would I care?

Use the USPS. They don't maintain such a database. Just pay in cash for everything, don't have a telephone, etc. If you don't want to be included in databases, you'll have your work cut out for you.

[Robbien]

7. As long as you don't get someone pissed off at you

you are safe, probably.

[MineralMan]

8. Well, lots of people on DU are pissed off at me. Does

that count? Seriously, unless you work very hard at keeping it from happening, you're in all sorts of databases. All of them are subject to being subpoenaed by the government. There it is. You can either live in fear and try to hide, or you can live your life and get on with it. It's a personal decision.

[U4ikLefty]

37. Ah, the "everybody's doing it" excuse.

not convinced

[Downwinder]

19. USPS is cheaper and more convenient.

UPS seems determined to make it difficult for an individual to use their service.

[RC]

2. Almost anyone can get a fake ID.

Or get someone else to ship it for them. Another false feel-good security measure.

[uncle ray]

13. i doubt a pre-printed shipping label is very hard to procure either.

i'm going out on a limb and predict that this policy will catch more drug shippers than terrorists.

[Tempest]

23. I print UPS and FedEx shipping labels on my home computer

All you need is Avery 8165 labels and a pair of scissors to cut them to size.

Alternatively, you can print shipping labels on plain paper and use UPS or FedEx shipping pouches to put them in and attach to the package.

[MilesColtrane]

27. That's just how someone in Yemen sent bombs via FedEx.

She purportedly used another woman's ID.

I assume that UPS didn't require a photo ID before this FedEx incident, and that their lawyers suggested it to cover their ass in the event of legal action.

[Mimosa]

6. OMG 'your papers' to send a package by a PRIVATE company.

This is fascism redux.

Even in WWII, when people seemed to think they had cause to be paranoid, there was nothing like this.

Add to this the snitch video/recordings at Wal-Marts. Something is happening and it isn't about Al Qaeda.

[MineralMan]

10. Oh, nonsense. You're in hundreds of databases already.

This is tin-foil hat stuff.

[Gormy Cuss]

14. What's nonsense is the way we're expected to give away privacy for the security theater.

I guess someone in UPS has figured this would lower their liability in the off chance that someone mails something to someone in violation of law.

It's funny but the most conservative, anti-government interference people that I know are all gung-ho for showing IDs to corporations and at public places like airports. The liberals, not so much.

[MineralMan]

15. I show my photo ID to the checker at the supermarket sometimes.

I haven't signed my debit card, and checkers who don't know me ask to see my ID. It helps keep my card from being used if I lose it or it's stolen. It's my driver's license. It's not a secret.

As for UPS, confirming that the return address actually belongs to someone seems a legitimate thing. It may not to you. Airports? Sure. I show my ID there. Why would I care?

[Gormy Cuss]

22. Unsigned debit and credit cards don't protect you.

In fact, if they're lost or stolen whoever picks it up can sign it and establish the signature for comparison at POP. That's why issuers recommend signing the cards immediately.

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

25. you should sign your credit card

It's an old wives tale that not signing your ID helps keep you safe. Regardless of the thread topic, your credit card should be signed.

There should have been something telling you when you got your card that you should sign it to be secure.

As someone who used to work a cash register, I can tell you I don't care whether it's signed or not. I worked in a busy store where time spent per customer mattered - anything that anyone gave me was swiped so I didn't get in trouble for spending 10 seconds too long with a customer. Technically, if it's not signed, the clerk shouldn't even be taking it. Every credit card that I've ever gotten says "not valid unless signed" on it. If the person is interested in doing there job, they should refuse to accept the unsigned credit card. But they're not interested in credit card security, they're just cash register operators - just like I was. It's up to you to protect your security.

I'm just trying to help you out - I don't know who started the myth that not signing a credit card helps keep you secure. They were surely a person with nothing better to do than spread false but easily believed information.

[Naipes]

33. Ask for ID

"Ask for ID" is written on the back of all my credit / debit cards instead of a signature. The funny thing is, the USPS will not accept a card without a signature on the back. Even when I showed the mail guy my driver's license, with my photo and signature, he refused to accept my credit card. How stupid is that? That's the USPS. I always ship packages UPS and when I pay with my credit card, I'll have no problem showing them my ID.

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

35. see my above post

It probably says right on your card - not valid unless signed. The USPS just cares more about the way things are supposed to work, probably because they are the government. If your card is not signed, nobody should be taking it. "See ID" is not something that should be written on your card, at least not in absence of a signature. These are basic things about credit card usage....

[notadmblnd]

34. No, not with your debit card, they do not ask for ID at all

Most retailers will only ask for ID if you are using it as credit and the purchase is over $25

[avaistheone1]

9. Someone give me my country back.

This is not feeling and looking like America any more to me.

[KansDem]

11. Okay, but you'll have to show your picture ID first...

Security, don't you know...you might be a terrorist!

[Tracer]

12. A few years ago, I sent a package to China ...

... via Fedex.

They actually called me up wanting to know what I was sending.

I thought that was quite unusual, but maybe they do that all the time.

(It was a disc).

[Pacifist Patriot]

17. That's standard.

[robinlynne]

16. How does that detect a bomb?

[snot]

18. A balance of power requires a balance of knowledge . . . .

Right know, corps and gov't know everything about us and we know nothing important about them (save through exceptions that prove the rule, like Wikileaks, which they're moving mountains to shut down).

Just because we've allowed this situation to arise doesn't mean we shouldn't start trying to resist it.

[Bragi]

20. What, no pat-down? /nt

[Lorien]

21. No more UPS for me

this constant "papers please" crap is just too much. Enough already; stop stoking the paranoia!

[hlthe2b]

24. They are now refusing to leave packages unless you sign for them

In my neighborhood. I happened to be working at home yesterday and so was able to receive my three Christmas shipments, but they would not let me sign for my neighbor's packages and told me that I likewise could not sign ahead of time to allow them to drop off a package I was expected to receive today.

Is this occurring more widely? Or just a Denver thing?

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

26. they have never left them in my apartment buildings

unless someone signs for them. They would leave stuff on the porch at my parents house though - I don't know if they still do that.

But living in an apartment it is incredibly annoying. I refuse to use UPS or Fedex. Never had a car, and it was such a hassle to take the bus to the suburban wastelands where they have their wharehouses if you miss the three times they deliver. There was a time where I missed the third delivery time because the guy couldn't figure out how to work my apartment buzzer. I went out for a smoke and saw him driving away. I chased his truck for 3 blocks until I gave up. Next day I had to take an hour and a half bus ride, a twenty minute walk on streets without sidewalks, pick up my packaged, and then do it in reverse.

DHL has a nice policy where they call you if you're not home the first two times to arrange a delivery time. I still prefer the post office, where if you need to sign for something you can always just take a short walk to your neighborhood post office and pick up your package. I never order from anywhere anymore unless I know for sure that the post office will deliver it.

[pitohui]

28. it's neighborhood by neighborhood

i had to stop using ups because they drop off items w/out anyone signing for them, because i have a low crime neighborhood

that may be, but low crime is not no crime, and when i have a valuable gemstone then i don't need it sitting lonely and crying boo hoo on my doorstep waiting for me to get home

i pay for signature delivery and i expect to sign for it, not have the UPS dude fake my signature

when i called and complained (several times) they made excuses and said it was ok because no crime in my neighborhood, why don't they let ME be the judge of whether or not it's OK?

if you don't want to sign, call them and tell them, but you'll get the same crap, they don't really look at your account, they look at your neighborhood, you prob. had some thefts in the area lately

[hlthe2b]

29. Was never an issue before as I could receive packages at work

But we are no longer allowed to use a work address for personal packages. :eyes: At any rate, I have to wonder how most people manage this, if they work. In Denver, the UPS facility that you have to go to to pick up packages could scarcely be in a less convenient location and their hours are limited as well. I can understand not wanting certain packages to be left without signature. I've never had an issue with that, as I will insure those packages, which automatically requires signature, or request the source to do so. :shrug:

[dixiegrrrrl]

36. UPS sitcks some pkgs in my mailbox at the end of the driveway if they fit,

and other times manages to get past my dog and put them on porch and has NEVER knocked on the door for a signature.
They were here twice this past week.
I know nothing about this signature/ID stuff.
How the hell are you supposed to get stuff if you are not home to sign for the delivery????????

I mail packages 4-5 x month at the PO, no ID, nothing.

Joys of a small town.

[Pathwalker]

30. Damn those retailers who've made us show ID for the last 50+ years!

All of whom required us to show ID before they would accept our CHECKS! just to purchase something from them! Oh, the horrors!

Seriously? Hell, gas stations demanded thumb prints, as well. Got a package from London yesterday, AND I signed for it, since it was something we'd ordered. Four days - from London. Even went through customs.

[Gin]

31. hell..I need ID for a pizza....I am okay with this

[Pathwalker]

32. Ooops. I guess I forgot the sarcasm tag.

Showing ID is and has been normal for a very long time yet people are acting like this is new and unusual. It isn't. :shrug: