May We See ID, Please
Many hotels now ask to make a copy of a driver's license at check-in. Here's how to ensure your identification is safe.
During a recent stay at a Best Western hotel in Florida, I paid with a credit card and was also asked for my driver’s license so that the hotel could copy it. I was told it was “policy.” Is this something new for hotels, and should I be concerned about identity theft?
A Best Western spokesman says that more of its hotels are asking for proof of ID when taking a credit card, but any copies made should be destroyed after checkout. This practice isn't limited to Best Western -- many hotels throughout the country now ask to make a copy of a driver's license at check-in, says Joe McInerney, of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. "They want to make sure the person on that reservation is the person who is staying there," he says.
In fact, some municipalities now require hotels to collect that information, which can help in case of a criminal investigation, says Paul Stephens, director of policy and advocacy at the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. "I don't see it as being particularly risky," he says, especially if your Social Security number isn't on your license.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Even so, you should ask for the copy of your ID back or watch the clerk shred it when you leave (which may be an option depending on local laws), says Jay Foley, executive director of the Identity Theft Resource Center.
One thing hotels can’t do is require ID to verify ownership of a credit card. Both Visa and MasterCard have policies prohibiting merchants from refusing to complete a credit-card transaction solely because a cardholder does not provide additional identification.
For more information about protecting yourself from ID theft, see Your ID Theft Prevention Kit and the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft page.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
As the "Ask Kim" columnist for Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Lankford receives hundreds of personal finance questions from readers every month. She is the author of Rescue Your Financial Life (McGraw-Hill, 2003), The Insurance Maze: How You Can Save Money on Insurance -- and Still Get the Coverage You Need (Kaplan, 2006), Kiplinger's Ask Kim for Money Smart Solutions (Kaplan, 2007) and The Kiplinger/BBB Personal Finance Guide for Military Families. She is frequently featured as a financial expert on television and radio, including NBC's Today Show, CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio.
-
Holiday Office Party Taxes: Know Before You Go
Tax Tips The IRS could tax your gifts from Christmas raffles, Secret Santa, and White Elephant. Here’s how.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
2025 Tax Reform: Will the SALT Deduction Cap Be Repealed?
Tax Deductions Some lawmakers say it’s time to end the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions.
By Kelley R. Taylor Published
-
Social Media Scams Cost Consumers $2.7B, Study Shows
Scams related to online shopping, investment schemes and romance top the FTC's social media list this year.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Mastercard Says It Is Not Raising Network or Swipe Fees
Card processing giant says WSJ story on credit card fee hikes ‘is wrong.’
By Joey Solitro Published
-
How to Benefit From Rising Interest Rates
Financial Planning Savers will get the best rates from top-yielding savings and money market deposit accounts at online banks.
By Rivan V. Stinson Last updated
-
Credit, Debit or Cash? Which is Best?
credit & debt Credit or debit? Cash? Each payment method has pros and cons. Your best bet is to use a combination that meets your own needs.
By Ellen Kennedy Published
-
Tired of Scam Text Messages? The FCC Cracks Down
New scam text message rules from the FCC require carriers to block texts from bad numbers and protect consumers.
By Ben Demers Published
-
Tax Scam: IRS Warns Taxpayers Against Filing False W-2 Info
Scams A new tax scam on social media advises lying on your W-2 to falsely claim credits and bigger refunds.
By Ben Demers Published
-
Beware Fake Disney Plus Emails That Steal Your Bank Information
Fake Disney Plus billing messages enable scammers to access your bank account and drain your funds.
By Ben Demers Published
-
Get the Most Benefit from Credit Card Perks
Make the most of credit card perks like travel insurance, delivery discounts and fraud protection.
By Rivan V. Stinson Published