Do most parks check/copy your ID? (Victims of ID theft)

[DaveRVman]

Well long story short, my wife was a huge victim of identity theft about 5 years ago. It was terrible. We haven't traveled too much in RV's (many many years ago) and were curious.

We are very paranoid about RV parks in general copying and getting our ID cards such as drivers licenses etc. copied or giving them the info.

How many parks do this? My wife is like "NO" on showing anybody ID (except authorities and of course or the bank). If it's "Joe Blow's RV park there is NO way she'd show her ID.

I'm just curious of how many parks really want or more to the point DEMAND ID from their guests? Is it every park? Or do most parks generally just let you pay and go in?

I know it's varied but would appreciate some insight.

Like do COE parks demand it? Or city parks?

What is the typical "check in"?

Also I do know that many of you haven't probably ever had a problem... We never thought it would happen to us.

[LeslieCovin1974]

doxiemom11 wrote:
Your address is public record and anyone can do a search for your home address. They don't need to get it off your license. Your property tax records are also public record along with the value of your house, when it was purchased, how much you paid etc. I am even aware of a way to get deceased persons social security numbers. If I were a scam artists I could use/have as many of those as I wanted. There is a lot of information that can be obtained in ways other than seeing your id or credit/debit card.

I completely agree! It seems to me that your license is not necessary for this to find out the address!

[Bears_Den]

Never been asked for ID. Use online website to make reservations and pay with a credit card. Never had a problem in 20 or so years.

[dave54]

doxiemom11 wrote:
Your address is public record and anyone can do a search for your home address. They don't need to get it off your license. Your property tax records are also public record along with the value of your house, when it was purchased, how much you paid etc. I am even aware of a way to get deceased persons social security numbers. If I were a scam artists I could use/have as many of those as I wanted. There is a lot of information that can be obtained in ways other than seeing your id or credit/debit card.

Our house does not have a street address. Everything is a PO Box. Somewhere in the county records is a parcel number. If someone wants to dig through records to figure out where I live, that is a waste of time. Anyone could simply go to the local grocery store and ask. Small enough town everybody knows everybody.
The deed is in the name of the family trust.

Back to the OP. I have never had anyone ask for photo ID at a private or public campground. If I ask for a discount they usually give me one without asking for proof.

[crasster]

doxiemom11 wrote:
Your address is public record and anyone can do a search for your home address. They don't need to get it off your license. Your property tax records are also public record along with the value of your house, when it was purchased, how much you paid etc. I am even aware of a way to get deceased persons social security numbers. If I were a scam artists I could use/have as many of those as I wanted. There is a lot of information that can be obtained in ways other than seeing your id or credit/debit card.

Many put their homes in a trust, especially with means. It ends up being the trust name.

[Grit_dog]

To the OP, find something else to worry about.

[2012Coleman]

CharlesinGA wrote:
So well put. I appreciate them verifying that I am the same person named on the card.

Charles

wapiticountry wrote:
A large number of people print "Check ID" on the signature line of their credit card. I appreciate it anytime someone wants to see my ID when I use a card. Making a copy of ID is also common anytime you are renting or borrowing equipment. Otherwise, there is generally no need for copying identification. But stealing ID by starting with someone's driver's license is taking the long road seldom traveled. Your driver's license number doesn't give them access to much of anything. Your credit card number and the three digit verification code on the back of your card is much more valuable. Even then, you need a long line of dishonest people for a stick and brick business to be in the card stealing business. The management would either need to be in on it or not have any checks and balances in place. The card thief would need a way to monetize the number and whenever a number of different stolen cards are traced back to a single source, the RV Park in your example, the card companies and the police act quickly. Almost all ID theft occur electronically these days. Worrying about ID theft every time you make a purchase is much ado about nothing.

I also agree with wapiticountry. I as a lot of people have experienced credit card theft. The only thing it causes is slight inconvenience when it happens because you have to be issued a new card. I have two credit cards just in case I need credit when one gets compromised. I or anyone else has never had to pay for charges they didn't make. You simply have to be vigilant and check your statements. Many cards these days also alert you if a large purchase was made - limit set by you, or a charge made without the card.

I too am a victim of identity theft - of my social security number. I put a security hold with all credit issuers - experian, etc. Also, since someone tried to file my taxes for me initially, the IRS requires a pin number when filing taxes. I have to release the hold for credit checks for large purchases, but that is free and can be done online for a specific time period.

For me, I don't mind showing my drivers license - I push back on anyone making a copy. If I did not like doing so, I'd use one of the many forms of ID already suggested.

It's really not worth living your life in fear over - the prevalence of identity theft has actually made things tougher for those perpetrating it. There is a lot of support for this - find it and be sure you are taking the prescribed precautions if your identity has been compromised - Google is your friend.

[zcookiemonstar]

I don't have a problem showing my ID but I will not let people make copies of it.

[CharlesinGA]

So well put. I appreciate them verifying that I am the same person named on the card.

Charles

wapiticountry wrote:
A large number of people print "Check ID" on the signature line of their credit card. I appreciate it anytime someone wants to see my ID when I use a card. Making a copy of ID is also common anytime you are renting or borrowing equipment. Otherwise, there is generally no need for copying identification. But stealing ID by starting with someone's driver's license is taking the long road seldom traveled. Your driver's license number doesn't give them access to much of anything. Your credit card number and the three digit verification code on the back of your card is much more valuable. Even then, you need a long line of dishonest people for a stick and brick business to be in the card stealing business. The management would either need to be in on it or not have any checks and balances in place. The card thief would need a way to monetize the number and whenever a number of different stolen cards are traced back to a single source, the RV Park in your example, the card companies and the police act quickly. Almost all ID theft occur electronically these days. Worrying about ID theft every time you make a purchase is much ado about nothing.

[doxiemom11]

Your address is public record and anyone can do a search for your home address. They don't need to get it off your license. Your property tax records are also public record along with the value of your house, when it was purchased, how much you paid etc. I am even aware of a way to get deceased persons social security numbers. If I were a scam artists I could use/have as many of those as I wanted. There is a lot of information that can be obtained in ways other than seeing your id or credit/debit card.

[doxiemom11]

When using federal discount card at campgrounds, my husband is required to show id to prove that he is the one using the discount. They have never taken a copy. There is 1 campground we have gone to for years that do not use a computer and they have a copy of his license. It was originally asked for and copied to apply the senior discount to the rates at their city park. Manager had to prove to the city that they were not applying the discount to people who didn't qualify for it.

[crasster]

magicbus wrote:
So tell me, how DO you pay for your camp site? If paying by credit card gives them too much information, you certainly won’t pay by check with your home address printed on it. Do you travel with a wad of cash and use an alias when checking in? I guess reservations are out of the question.

Dave

I think it's kind of a philosophy the OP is posting. It's not that no information exchanges hands it's that he's interested in just paying and being left alone. Probably a paranoia of getting their ID on top of their CC.

[azdryheat]

Using a Debit Card or writing a Check uses your money out of your bank account. A Credit Card uses the Bank's money, not your money. If your Debit Card, Check, or Credit Card gets compromised a wise person would it to be the bank's money stolen.

[magicbus]

So tell me, how DO you pay for your camp site? If paying by credit card gives them too much information, you certainly won’t pay by check with your home address printed on it. Do you travel with a wad of cash and use an alias when checking in? I guess reservations are out of the question.

Dave

[DaveRVman]

magicbus wrote:

DaveRVman wrote:
Or the 18 year old sells the numbers & ID information to the deep web where people do pay for info and steal your identity.

But in the end, who cares. That theft is not “identity stealing” it is just your credit card being compromised. Happens all the time and the credit card companies are getting pretty good at catching it. Of course we end up paying for what they miss via their fees to vendors, but it’s a small price to pay verses using cash and catching a Corona virus. :W

They have the card and your home address information. They know what you drive, what type of RV you have, and know what you look like. They know your hair & eye color, possibly that of your spouse, and if you have children. By your ring they know if you are married.

From the internet they can capture just about everywhere you've lived, your house value, along with the relatives in your home (and/or how many children you have).

With that information, they can go to Facebook, know where you work (or where you have worked), if you have a degree or not, etc.

They can pose as you, give fake names & registrations under your name, and in some cases even travel in different countries in your name. They attempt to get credit cards in your name, and most creditors start "locking stuff", pass fake checks in your name, etc. Insurance companies see the warnings on your credit.

Trust me, there are very good reasons you'd rather people NOT know you or much about you. It's not just a credit card getting compromised. You can even get your bank account locked (of course until you go in and "prove yourself")... Locked over and over again.

The worst part is they hang onto you... Then attempt as your spouse. One day your are "honest Dave" the next "suspicious ""Dave"" ".

Anyway, yes, we have made it a policy NOT to "show" ID if we absolutely don't have to. I'm to the point where I won't show it even to check in or the card (especially if they want a copy).

So it's great to hear most places simply just ask your name and check you in. 🙂 Giving any more info and places you trade with, ID numbers etc is rough.

[magicbus]

DaveRVman wrote:
Or the 18 year old sells the numbers & ID information to the deep web where people do pay for info and steal your identity.

But in the end, who cares. That theft is not “identity stealing” it is just your credit card being compromised. Happens all the time and the credit card companies are getting pretty good at catching it. Of course we end up paying for what they miss via their fees to vendors, but it’s a small price to pay verses using cash and catching a Corona virus. :W