Security is all about balance. Balance the cost of the security measure against the cost of the security threat. If the prevention measure is more expensive than just accepting the cost of the threat, it's better to accept the threat.

If it's $5,000 worth of service fees to prevent $100 worth of counterfeit bills in a year, it's better to just eat the cost of the counterfeits

@LibertyReign:

My bank, my employer and any other merchants I do business with do not need to know where I live.

So entities that have to report your location for tax purposes (tied to where you actually live, not where you receive your mail), don't have a right to your address? Interesting...

I've done it before....had a trip planned with my gf at the time...we broke up, and I didn't want to flush the $$$ ticket down the drain, so we just used MS Word's webpage editing to change the name on the online check in ticket!

Heck, you could get Osama Bin Laden on a flight...just buy his ticket under "John Smith" and don't check in a bag.

Another tip: If you get the SSSS on your boarding pass, print it out, put whiteout on the SSSS, and zip it through a copy machine = no butthurt from the TSA's white glove treatment screening.

The policy is ID required. Regardless of what the merchant agreements say, that's what we've been told to do. I agree this is a flimsy policy but that's what was put in place. If you take issue with it then send off an EECB, don't badger someone at the counter like me just because we're forced to follow a policy that shouldn't really be there to begin with.

No one is putting a gun to your head and demanding your ID, if you don't want to show ID for a credit purchase at our store, then you can shop elsewhere.

Has anyone who works at said mickey d's ever SEEN a foreign passport?

As someone else pointed out, you can much more easily print a fake ID than you can a fake $50. Or, perhaps walk down to Times Square and the numerous fake ID places and get a standard issue BS ID.

This doesn't solve passing counterfeit bills, IF I was going to pass a counterfeit bill I'm MORE than likely to go there once a week now with a fake ID.

Idiots.

[www.treas.gov]

@PGibbons:

@utensil42: In what possible way do you feel "safer" by showing an anonymous stranger your home address and DL# in conjunction with your credit card number? That's such a weird conception of "safety."

LOL.. and it's majority view *shudders in terror*

@PGibbons: @PGibbons:

Amen. Keep up the good posts, mate.

@PGibbons:

..or the legal ramifications of their promotion of and profit off of the obesity and subsequent death and disease of millions of Americans. This will be soon to come now that American's find it acceptable to pass on responsiblity for themselves onto EVERYONE except themself..now even the fracking cashier at McDonald's..yeah now there's someone I trust with my personal information..

@fantomesq:

This could be done at the register. Please don't just start making shit up to promote your bullshit idealogy. The receipt and the goods belong to ME now, you can check the back of my ass as I walk out the nearest exit WITHOUT showing you shit..

@SteelersAreGo:

I agree with your sentiment whole-heartedly, I have noticed an inherent problem though. As the amount of people who give up their rights willingly becomes vastly greater than those who do not, those who do not become social outcasts and are given a variety of labels to encourage the culture of anti-individualism.

1. idealogues
2. crack-pots
3. tin-foil hats
4. diificult
5. paranoid

People who merely advocate limited government and expanded personal freedom are now associated with radical hate groups and various "extreme-right" affiliations.

Now simply standing up for what's right makes you into the "difficult" "crazy" person who just "wants to make a scene".

@fantomesq:

Except I have a right to keep my I.D. to myself, and the company does NOT have a right to refuse Federal Reserve notes..and like I said before the problem isn't ONE shopping experience at McDonald's..its your attitude in general which has made it increasingly impossible to shop anonymously anywhere anymore..

@say what?!:

This was my point exactly but you were more articulate than I was..

@utensil42:

You think it makes you safer because you are ignorant. The problem is it makes you LESS safe, and the only reason *I* care is it makes ME less safe as well, because as you can see when people who are ignorant of their rights and ignorant of how money works adhere to these dangerous policies, it makes it impossible for discerning people like myself to buy and sell goods. You are imposing your fascist bullshit way of life onto me and I do not appreciate it. i would appreciate it if you grew a back bone and picked up a book. This way we would all not have to suffer harassmentdue to your ignorance.

..also credit card purchases ARE cash.. its the whole point..you are supposed to be able to drop it like it's hot and then move on.. no fuss no muss, the slogan used to be "as easy as cash".. the idea that you would have to show an I.D. and have personal information taken down for writing a check was half of the marketing strategy for the CC companies..

@dragonfire81:

No..the real truth is that they SHOULD care.. it's really really really dangerous when showing your papers becomes common-place in a free society. Not recognizing the patterns doesn't make you less of a jerk then the guy in front of you who is actually COMPLAINING about being treated like a serial number.

The real truth is demanding I.D. prevents absolutely nothing except you getting my business. Credit card purchases are protected. Not only that but it is a violation of Mastercard's and Visa's rules to demand I.D. so NO, a COMPANY DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEMAND I.D. it is in fact a VIOLATION of THEIR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION(Now that has been posted on Consumerist for 9,999th +1 time)

What they have the right to do is opt out of having a merchant account with master card and accept cash and checks as payment. Once you accept mastercard you forfeit the right to demand conditions on my purchase, hence WHY I USE MASTERCARD.

..and one more time for the record..I do not have an I.D. so where does that fit in to your little scheme of things? I want to see you type it for everyone that I should have to register myself with the state in order to buy food.

@utensil42:

They already have their employee's docs, the next logical step is to start a file on your customers. This is about getting people used to giving up their docs for EVERYTHING. End of story. It has nothing to do with fraud protection, unless you believe that McDonald's is being run by incompetant children who have no idea how money, business, and food-retail works. Any asshat can tell you that this will prevent NOTHING, so then you tell me...why are they doing it? Why post a sign? You know it's going to have adverse affect on your customers, otherwise you wouldn't need to post it. You are already predicting that it will cause a problem just by posting a sign. It's already acknowledged that it is out of the ordinary and that one should expect complaints from the public unless posted in a conspicuous area. I think people often forget that as a business, Mcdonald's profits off of attracting human beings, and that to attract a human being most efficiently you use psychology. There is a science into turning you into a fat, complacent, fake-hamburger ingesting lamo who will never make a scene or demand a superior product/service.

@supercereal:

The online stores I do business with do not have any of my personal information whatsoever. They have a credit card number which has built-in fraud protection and that is all. They don't even ask for the card-holder's name at many places where you can opt to enter your 3-digit security code instead. Mastercard purchases are protected by MASTERCARD!!! The only company that would have the slightest argument to card me would be MASTERCARD. Anyone else is just adhering to blatant fascism.

I don't even have an I.D., so your logic is flawed even if it weren't incorrect. Demanding that I register with the state in order to buy and sell goods is a violation of my rights. Demanding to see my DL#, my home address, and my DOB(SS# in some states), is also a violation of my rights. Both of these are violations of my rights with good reason, hence why they were incorporated into our highest laws and our way of life to the point that over 200 years later there are still people like me bitching about the erosion of these rights.

I can't find the words to express how indignated I feel reading some of the hogwash on this site about "just going along to get along". Contrary to common-belief resisting this type of harassment is what founded our country and in my opinion its all you boot-lickers who are ruining it.

@Zain:

LOL!!! The BILL of RIGHTS...lol...there's a bunch of 'em on there you should take a look.. You should also try reading the Federalist arguments between memebers of Congress at the time. It will help you to understand the INTENT of our rights. LOL!

@fantomesq:

Yes, because this is more honest, and doesn't infronge upon my rights. Please don't forget that asking for I.D. accomplishes NOTHING...NOTHING!!!! Please..don't forget that..it's important to realize..

@samoffer:

What exactly does "grow up" mean? For example:

I think you are young because you display your ignorance with the following assumptions..

1. That asking for I.D. will deter fraud, never deter enough fraud to compensate for the lack of business as a result of your invasive policies.

2. This comment, LOL: "who think every interaction with someone else leads to the loss of precious rights."

You sure missed the point didn't you? I think the point is we DON'T think every interaction with someone else should lead to loss of precious rights, which by the way, *MY* privacy rights are just that..precious..and RIGHTS... and MINE..

I would prefer to just do business without having to turn my head and cough before making a purchase.

Once again I ask..where do YOU draw the line? Never?

@fantomesq:

Actually, inhert, fruitless practices such as these are generally theatre. They decrease the longevity of the company as anyone with a brain has pointed out they don't actually PREVENT any fraud whatsoever. What it does do, is inspire discernable, responsible consumers to shop elsewhere.

I would argue that these practices have little to do with fraud in general, and are in fact a sympthom of the larger problem of blatant consumerism with a complete lack of respect for privacy and personal responsibility.

Now you get carded at IHOP, at McDonald's, at 7-11. at the card swipe, at the checkout counter, at the exit, in your car, on the sidewalk, and in some places even at your own front door.

I don't even bother trying to educate people who say "why not just show your I.D." anymore, because I understand that you are suffering from a cultural sickness, and you can't help it. My only question is will there EVER be a time? a place? a circumstance? in which even you feel like something is a violation of your rights and should be resisted?

When will asking for YOUR i.d. offend YOU? Never?

@samoffer:

I use a spam email for online purchses and I use a generic mailing address for shipping and billing. My home address is private to me. My bank, my employer and any other merchants I do business with do not need to know where I live.

Not everyone even has an ID.

Side note: why worry about what happens when you die? You're dead. Who cares if they can ID you or not? Personally, I hope I go out with my middle fingers a blazin'. There's my ID, biatch.

You could use that excuse for just about anything, you know? "Well, the reason we're stopping you at the border is because we're doing checks for illegal immigration. Think of it as your little role in fighting illegal immigration." ... OK, except that it isn't used to fight illegal immigration, it's used to perform warrantless searches on any vehicle they're determined to search. Look out hippies, you don't want to be on the highway from California to Arizona right around Yuma.
That's just a short step from them doing random car searches at every intersection. You're just doing your little part in the fight against _________!

I totally agree, and in the end it's the average non-counterfeiter that is going to wind up with the problems after receiving the fake bills wherever they got them.
Imagine standing there as a regular customer and accidentally passing a fake bill. You immediately get looked at funny, pulled aside, questioned, etc all in front of other customers. Then you probably get kicked out, or maybe even have the cops called on you. Oh, and on top of that, you're out $50/$100 because that bill was fake.

In fact, the only circumstance in which a person cannot refuse any lawful currency is in payment for a debt, and even then they can impose reasonable conditions. (So you can't deliver a million dollars in one dollar bills at a random time to their small office and demand a signed receipt.)

When you're proposing a transaction, either party can impose any requirements they want on the form of immediate payment.

It could only down on theft if they use the ID to make a decision to deny the card, which they cannot do (both by law and by their merchant agreement).

You are probably imagining that they look at the ID and then make some kind of decision whether or not to accept the card. But that's not their decision, they aren't the ones issuing you credit.

@Shoelace: only if they're urine-soaked.

My bet it's less about worry about counterfeit bills and more about not having to break large bills and running out of change as the day goes on.

Not to mention requiring ID will be enough to chase off people that are looking to defraud... It's just easier to go somewhere where they don't check id's (likely right next door).

Chrome is *not* in beta anymore, check your facts.

[googleblog.blogspot.com]

"Why was he in McDonalds? EW!"

"Going into McDonalds was the OP's first mistake"

"OP should be making their own lunch, it's healthier and cheaper"

Better one annoying line from the OP than 50 in the comments section.

It's kind of annoying that the OP had to end it with "Why was I in McD's?" Who cares? Why do you have to make excuses? Do you feel ashamed?

It's not really that demanding to ask that someone proof their post before putting it up, comments aside.

I think this is a bit overreacting.

They can use a pen or UV light to determine if the bill is legit.
Why bother asking for ID? People create fake ID's all the time. They dont verify if the drivers license # is real or not.

You really think this will curb counterfeit bills?

Might not be a bad idea to stop selling soda's to kids...

Unfortunately they can't make too much of a fuss about people using 20's (despite them being counterfeited a lot) because that's what most ATMs in that area dispense (most have a min of 20$ and a lot make you withdraw in multiples of 20's).

I'm sure they use the pin on those.

Go figure.

@PLATTWORX: OMG, are you serious?!?!

The story was posted on 2PM on a Saturday. Why do you assume that the author even looked at the comments before quitting for the day?

Affluent? Have you everactually been to Penn Station/MSG?

Most places in the area won't take bills larger than 50 at least they will here if you show them an id...

It's just like car alarms. The honking and flashing lights aren't the point. Between a car with an alarm and one without, the thief will choose the car without.

I'm not saying it's right, but it is legal.

Unless he *really* likes those Big Macs.

The pharmacy really has a portion of the Patriot Act, which specifically regulates the purchase of Sudafed and states the warning about jail and fines for purchasing it under false pretenses, on display at the counter. Then the purchaser of the Sudafed has to sign a release statement agreeing that they have read that portion of the Patriot Act and understand the penalties, along with scanning their driver's license, before they can purchase one box of Sudafed cold & sinus. Not kidding.

Part of the Patriot Act regulates Sudafed and purchasers of Sudafed are supposed to read that portion before each purchase. Some pharmacies just tack it on the wall, others make you sign a statement that you've read and understand it each time. All require a driver's license be recorded, per the Patriot Act.

Perhaps they should have similar restrictions for those in congress. Congress members will have to read through the entire thing, scan their driver's license, and sign a statement saying under penalty of law they have read and understand all portions.

:-)

The use of the term "larger than $20" also made me chuckle, as all US currency is the same size.

And I'll say it again - if I could forge banknotes, a driver's license would be a trivial task, so it is yet another useless policy that protects no one from anything.

I know the policy and the merchant agreement clash, but that's for corporate and the credit card companies to sort out, not a counter worker. We do what we are told to do. Regardless of my personal opinions about the policy, I go along with it.

Now I know that might sound like I am caving in, but I highly doubt that even I took it to corporate myself they would change the policy, they aren't going to listen to come counter worker on stuff like that.

I'm not an asshole to anybody. The one time I did have to refuse a credit sale because the lady had no ID, I just calmly told her why I couldn't do it and asked if she had an alternate payment method.

the cashier asked for my driver's license and wrote down my license number. she said it was "mcdonald's policy" to record all license numbers for credit card purchases over $25. baloney!

i don't mind them asking for my driver's license, but i have a problem with them recording my driver's license number.

Which as we all know of course is legal... [treasury.gov]

So this situation isn't terribly different, if you have a $50 and don't want to show ID, I guess then McDonald's effectively asserts their right not to take the bill.

If our corporate masters say it's ok to do to us, then it is. They have "thought these decisions through" so that you don't have to. Too bad Mickey D didn't "think through" the ramifications of serving illegally scalding hot coffee in violation of a prior agreement, but anyway...

If you run a business and choose to accept Visa/Mastercard/AmEx/Discover, you as the business owner have to accept the terms and conditions that those companies impose upon you. If you don't want to accept those forms of payment thats fine, but if you do so, you are bound by the the contract signed with the credit card processor.

It doesn't matter what the majority of people will do in a particular situation, it matters what is right.

Two, it is very common for the bank to give me $50's and $100's when I pull out cash for the week, so this annoys me to no end. And everybody seems to do it, for example I was getting gas at WallyWorld earlier this week, and the woman told me she couldn't break a $100, are you kidding me, it costs me $40.00 just to fill up the tank..... It's not as if I bought a $2 bag of Sun Chips with a $100, and expected them to make $98.00 in change.

To put in frankly, a $50 or a $100 doesn't mean what it used to.

Lastly, I have stopped trading at McDonald's for the most part, to many of them "charge" for an extra BBQ sauce cup... and after I just spent $23.00... they want to gig me for another .69, come on, I know companies need to make a profit and keep losses to a minimum, but these tactics are just to much.

---
-Can I get carbon credits to offset my V-8 fetish?

RT
www.privacy-web.net.tc

@PLATTWORX:
I am sure that Visa and MasterCard love them checking for an ID. They are responsible for a stolen card's purchases so I am sure they are happy.

@supercereal: It's like the Walgreens that asks to see my ID anytime I buy $50 or more in gift cards. They look at my ID and they process the transaction. Makes no sense, especially since I could buy two $25 gift cards in separate transactions and not get carded.

That is my interpretation, and I'm not a lawyer. But I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night!

Although to be fair, I think the decline started when the commenting rules were introduced. I think many people (including myself) liked being able to go either way (in the company's favor or the op's favor) in their support regarding an issue. Some people took this to an extreme, but now you can't hardly say anything that isn't in support of the op without inducing the wrath of Roz. This site is no longer a credible information source; the journalistic integrity of this site has been reduced to that of a tabloid. It's no wonder Gawker dumped y'all.

They're not battling counterfeiting, they're battling taking large losses due to accepting counterfeit bills.

1. I am disappointed that this story was posted hours ago with an incorrect headline and STILL not fixed.

2. I do have to say that I am suprised by the number of merchants checking ID these days for credit cards. Wal-Mart and Home Depot have started. Isn't this a violation of their own agreements with MasterCard and Visa????????????

@redkamel: Slow news month. :P

@wcnghj: I was at my local Wal-Mart and if you wanted to pay with credit/debit/check you needed to show ID. I am happy about this because it will help cut down of theft because they can match it with the name on the card/ check. I don't know how asking for ID with cash will help other than it might scare away some stupid teens.

That is how the fake money gets out there, like drugs it gets SOLD at a considerable "discount" to other people to use.

On the other hand, what good does it do to check ID if the bill is fake? Besides, if I were passing fake bills, I'd just use a fake ID.

@ophmarketing: Aha. Good to know-thanks for the clarification. One incorrect assumption of mine down, thousands to go. :)

Easier than trying to train cashiers on the finer points of legal tender and the concept of debt.

Retinal scans for drive through purchases? Hell, they don't even require PIN passwords/signatures for most fast food purchases.

Paranoid much Zealot?

1. It deters criminals going for the last-mile payoff from passing those counterfeit bills.

2. It discourages customers from presenting large bills.

3. It keeps the tinfoil hat contingent hysterical, fearful and most important, away from them.

I'm not against having the boxes kept behind the counter so the pharmacist can keep an eye on them, it's the scanning the ID and reading a portion of the Patriot Act and signing stating I've read it each and every time that is a pain in the rear.

Maybe the laws about signing for Sudafed should be left up to the individual states. That way if meth labs area problem in that area, they can adjust the laws accordingly?

I don't know a thing about meth, it's never been a problem in our area. None of the drug arrests in our newspapers mention that drug, usually in this state the paper mentions other drugs. However, I've read how it's a problem in other areas of the country, and understand the concern.

@Ben Wellington: Ditto. This article confused me. The only place breaking a $20 is mentioned is in the headline.

Your particular mindset is why we are all losing quality of life. "Just deal with it - if you object you must have something to hide / be a counterfeiter". That is the same kind of thinking that led to concentration camps in Nazi Germany "If you aren't a Jew, you have nothing to fear, etc."

The "little" difference you want to make as a busybody is not justified in the world of inconveniences you'd likely want to force on everyone else because you fear meth labs. Your security preferences end where my rights begin.

When they changed Sudafed to "behind the counter" and started requiring ID, they replaced much of the product on regular shelves with a new formulation, as an alternative to the regulated stuff. I tried it and it doesn't work.

When I mentioned it to the pharmacist, he said "Always get the stuff behind the counter. That new stuff they replaced it with on the shelves does basically NOTHING. They haven't even tested it for sinus pressure relief - it is an ingredient that has been tested for use topically, on the skin. It's perfectly safe but it does almost NOTHING for you." He of course used all the official names for the chemical ingredients but I can't remember them.

Oh no that's right because we are all potential criminals and they have to gradually squeeze us more and more in every area, on every level until we have no freedom, no common sense and cannot enjoy anything - ever.

I can only imagine what is next - retinal scans and finger prints at the drive thru screen with spikes to puncture your tires if you are invalid, and you have to have your criminal record with you so they can check it to allow you to buy a "value" meal.

Actually their is no law that requires a person or goverment agency to accept any currency or coins.
[www.ustreas.gov]

I think about these type of situations to much.

"Most places will just use a counterfit-detection pen. "

Which can be defeated by hair-spray.
Get regular paper spray it with hair spray let dry. Will mark as real.

The bigger problem is bleached bills. They get a five since it has a water mark then print a larger
denomination. Will mark as real and most people just glace at the water-mark.

@sheph It is only illegal to write on money for fraudulent purpose. Such as trying to make a five look like a fifty.(easier in the old days)

@Eryk:

Those pens definitely aren't foolproof. I used to work at a bank, and we never used them. Instead, we felt the texture of the paper and looked for the watermarks/ghost images.

But I guess it would be harder to train your average fast-food monkey to look for that kind of stuff, so they just give them a pen.

Give up whatever rights you want people, but you're acting unbelievable selfishly when you decry people for not doing the same.

Since I'm not stealing anything, it makes no difference to their costs whether I show a receipt or not.

I have chronic nasal congestion. It drives me up a wall and down again when I buy Zyrtec-D, Claritin-D, or Advil Cold and Sinus every six days (12 in a pack, each lasts 12 hours) and have to fork over my ID for logging because we're fighting a "war" that doesn't even have to be a war -- we just have to admit that drug addiction is a disease and the individuals need treatment, not jail time! (BTW, I don't know if proponents of the War on Drugs are aware, but there's drugs in the jails! So sending addicts to jail really isn't helpful!"

Of course then they'll say something like "No you can't have chicken nuggets. Not yours!"

What then? Raise the stakes or walk out in shame?

Also, to Carey, I hope that was sarcasm, because I pay for lunch at McDonald's with a $20 bill often, since that is the lowest denomination the banks ATM will dispense. Does that instantly make me a counterfeiter? :P

Maybe the ATM is the counterfeiter! Yeah, that's it!

This may seem like a pointless measure, but it isn't. Usually it is not the hardened counterfeiters that are likely to be using the funny money in a place like McDonald's. It is more likely that it will be a completely innocent bystander that has absolutely no idea that the $50 that he/she just plopped down is fake. That said, knowing the identification of the person can help track down where it originally came from.

this note is legal tender for all debts public and private

no you cant see my i.d.

James Randi used to withdraw hundreds of dollars from the bank every week, spray them with starch, and return them just to mess with people.

@TerribleDecade: I'd think bills larger than $20 would be more common in well-to-do areas.

@skizsrodt: Yes, because that's completely equivalent to a placard the size of an index card.

Unfortunately because of the fraudsters, retailers and businesses have to resort to asking for ID and such more and more, it shouldn't have to be that way, but it is.

There are some transactions you simply can't do without showing some ID or giving up some personal information.

I understand citizens have a right to refuse to surrender ID or give personal information, but businesses also have a right to protect themselves.

If run a business, I have a right to ask for ID if I choose. If you don't like that, you can shop at another business.

The truth is the majority of people don't really care if they have to flash their drivers license momentarily to complete a purchase.

:^)

Although, outside of America, banknotes for different values tend to be different sizes (often higher value notes are larger).

I know that don't do it for CCs, yet..

Granted, a counterfeiter could hand over a fake ID, but that the cashier has to stop and ask for it, means s/he will have time to take a better look at the bill. This extra time might mean it gets rejected as phony. Thus, even a counterfeiter armed with fake ID is not likely to want to pass his/her bill at a place that does this.

It's not foolproof deterrence, to be sure ... it can be evaded, as I pointed out. But if it deters just a few counterfeit-bill passings, it may still be worth it to the business.

and if I pay cash I shouldn't have to show my ID to anyone.

I heart online shopping for this reason, among others.

Credit/debit card purchase with service charge: >$0
Counterfeit bill turned in at a bank: $0

Not very bright, sunshine. Reading comprehension ftl.

The only possible exception would be some credit card merchant agreements, where the business has agreed to not require further identification from customers using credit cards or debit cards.

Nonetheless, I wish the world was a perfect place and we could eliminate that little delay in getting you medicine when you're not feeling well!

First, in the 7 years I ran the place we only had 9 counterfeit bills and 9 out of 9 were $20. People tend to distrust anything over a $20 and thus scrutinize $50 and $100 very close just in case.

The second, what the heck is photo ID going to do for the store?

I'll enjoy the grace period float and not having to deal with the one-off cashier who really struggles to make change (yes, even in a fast food joint where the change due is listed on the register...).

I guess 2-3% interchange fees are less worrisome to Mickey D's than counterfeit dollar bill fraud...

It's not illegal to require the ID - hey, you could say "you must strip nude and sing the national anthem backwards if you want me to sell you a hamburger."

Basically, unless you're refusing service for a specifically proscribed reason (i.e. "I don't serve black people.") you can pretty much do as you please.

Yup, those will only catch really poor forgeries.

You don't. Just don't stop at the store and everyone's happy.

Don't think McDonald's doesn't think these decisions through. And consider their right to try and minimize the acceptance of bad bills. If simply asking for ID they are able to reduce the passing of counterfeit money, why isn't this a good decision for all? Those counterfeiters, just like you, will gladly take their counterfeit bills elsewhere. Meanwhile, McDonald's enjoys a reduction in losses due to counterfeiting and the savings are passed to customers in the form of lower prices.

It's a win-win for everyone except idealistic nuts like you who think every interaction with someone else leads to the loss of precious rights. Grow up.

You are right, you have the right to refuse and take your business elsewhere but keeping the business healthy is necessary for its longevity. If you appreciate the retailer being there than these really are very small steps to take to help ensure that they will last, especially in this economic situation.

HOLD ON....

In fairness why does the title of this story say "Breaking $20 At McDonald's? Get Ready To Show Some ID" when the sign shown CLEARLY says "BILLS LARGER THAN $20" which means $50 or higher.

Come on! I love this site but the headline is wrong and misleads you. Please, Consumerist staff, read twice before posting to make sure you have it right before this site looses it's credibilty.

It's simple deterrence. It's like receipt-checking. Anyone could always print up a fake receipt at home, but it's just an extra hurdle to leap. If you knew you had to present id to spend your counterfeit bills at Mcdonalds but not at wendy's, why not just go to wendy's and not spent the time/effort/cost of getting a fake id?

Reading comprehension ftl.

They really should just put bouncers at the doors. They could perform searches, check your ID, verify the authenticity of your money, and ensure that you are not carrying a dangerous weapon into the ball pit. They could even distribut pamphlets giving the nutritional info, and make people sign the form releasing mcd's of all liability related to the impending health problems related to their "food."

This is BS. What do they do with the info anyway? If you gave them a fake 20 its just in a pile with the rest and no one will remember who gave what 20 to the cashier.

OVER $20.

They are not going to know who passed it.

Unless they either mark the bills (might be illegal, but I see it plenty enough, even the banks do it by accident) or they write the serial number down.

Or, third option: They wrap your money with the receipt onto which they take down the details from your ID.

Considering all US currency is the same size, the sign seems rather... pointless.

I'm still annoyed I have to scan my driver's license AND sign a statement that I have read the Patriot Act just to buy ONE BOX of Sudafed when I get a cold. Apparently if you buy too many boxes, the feds will bash down your door and look for a chem lab.

Shouldn't the burden be on the company to train the cashiers to spot fake bills? At the Cosi where I get lunch sometimes, the cashiers have had some kind of training. They hold large bills up to the light and look for something before accepting them.

Er, I mean, real legal tender $21 bills. Yeah, that's it.

Yesteryear, I remember working in retail and having a special pen that you'd use on the bill in question, and if it came up a certain color, it was counterfeit. Guess they found a way around that to where those are now useless.

You can't see my receipt and you can't see my ID. That is a problem? Fine. There is another retailer that will gladly take my money without infringing on my rights.

Is it that much of an inconvenience?

Most places will just use a counterfit-detection pen.

A determined counterfeiter would really have no trouble circumventing such a simple measure.