General Discussion

dixiegrrrrl

(60,158 posts) Wed Jun 26, 2013, 05:03 PM Jun 2013

Ever been asked for your zip code/telephone number when making a purchase??? [View all]

I have, when using my debit card.
Turns out, getting your zip code is the key to getting your address, for marketing database ( and maybe nefarious) reasons.

A direct marketing services company Harte-Hanks describes the GeoCapture service they offer retail businesses as follows: “Users simply capture name from the credit card swipe and request a customer’s ZIP code during the transaction. GeoCapture matches the collected information to a comprehensive consumer database to return an address.” In a promotional brochure, they claim accuracy rates as high as 100%.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/adamtanner/2013/06/19/theres-a-billion-reasons-not-to-give-stores-your-zip-code-ever/

Also turns out there have been several lawsuits which supported customers, making asking for zip codes or other information illegal when you buy something.

63 replies

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Ever been asked for your zip code/telephone number when making a purchase??? [View all] dixiegrrrrl Jun 2013 OP

I don't tell them. ForgoTheConsequence Jun 2013 #1

When asked for phone or zip, I politely say, "I decline" and have never gotten any guff. CurtEastPoint Jun 2013 #2

Same here marions ghost Jun 2013 #13

It depends on what mood I'm in. randome Jun 2013 #3

I make up a phone number. usually 555-1234. you can use it too if you like. Whisp Jun 2013 #4

867-5309 politicat Jun 2013 #16

Jenny? Is that you? nt msanthrope Jun 2013 #21

I use that in grocery stores and gas discounts. Once got 50 cents a gallon off gas as lots of uppityperson Jun 2013 #58

Gas stations do this at the pump when you purchase with a credit card. Lint Head Jun 2013 #5

As does RedBox / nt demwing Jun 2013 #8

I think they use it for security. Indianademocrat91 Jun 2013 #32

I think they say it's for security but that's a dodge. randome Jun 2013 #34

They do, along with the rest of your address. ManiacJoe Jun 2013 #37

Yeah, that's right, I forgot they usually ask for a billing address. randome Jun 2013 #48

Gas Stations RobinA Jun 2013 #61

You are correct about Jenoch Jun 2013 #38

You had babylonsister Jun 2013 #45

Unless I think I am going to need Jenoch Jun 2013 #49

My assumption is that this is to prevent fraud wercal Jun 2013 #53

Price Rite has been doing this lately. Habibi Jun 2013 #6

I went to 'The Source' EvilAL Jun 2013 #7

I just tell them it's none of their business. kestrel91316 Jun 2013 #9

'cybernetic breaking and entering' n/t mattvermont Jun 2013 #10

Yes..and they don't get it..if they persist, I walk out and leave the store HipChick Jun 2013 #11

I say 90210 (nt) Nye Bevan Jun 2013 #12

I just say 'no, thanks'. HappyMe Jun 2013 #14

Yes, it is for marketing purposes. ManiacJoe Jun 2013 #15

I will do this next time I'm at the gas station pump LeftInTX Jun 2013 #22

The pump declines my discover card if I Ilsa Jun 2013 #28

At the pump it is for security purposes. ManiacJoe Jun 2013 #29

Yep. nt greytdemocrat Jun 2013 #35

Yes, and email address! treestar Jun 2013 #17

yes, often it's to find out whether they should open up a store in a different location JI7 Jun 2013 #18

Yep, and I happily gave them my zip NV Whino Jun 2013 #31

i politely decline arely staircase Jun 2013 #19

Depends Sgent Jun 2013 #20

Phone number gets me the store "club" discount. Have been doing this for years... Hekate Jun 2013 #23

I fill out the discount card with creative answers dixiegrrrrl Jun 2013 #24

My discount cards are under my (now late) kitty's name tabbycat31 Jun 2013 #56

Exactly! dixiegrrrrl Jun 2013 #57

They don't always ask CreekDog Jun 2013 #25

For years now. bluedigger Jun 2013 #26

Yeah, everytime just about. MrSlayer Jun 2013 #27

Mobil station machines always ask for it. Baitball Blogger Jun 2013 #30

We give our zip code yellerpup Jun 2013 #33

I just had an argument about this LWolf Jun 2013 #36

She lied. dixiegrrrrl Jun 2013 #42

I'm going to have to find somewhere LWolf Jun 2013 #44

Keep in mind tabbycat31 Jun 2013 #39

Thank you so much for that info. dixiegrrrrl Jun 2013 #43

I agree tabbycat31 Jun 2013 #46

There are places that ask for your zip code Jenoch Jun 2013 #40

I always get asked for my zip code at Kmart. They took my phone number for Cleita Jun 2013 #41

It's been a long-running joke about Radio Shack. Gidney N Cloyd Jun 2013 #47

I never give my phone number and always give 90210 for my zip. nt valerief Jun 2013 #50

I give 'em the first (01001) or the last (99950)..... DeSwiss Jun 2013 #51

Yep,and I just give fake ones.Makes me feel good for some reason. virgogal Jun 2013 #52

heres a good phone number to use if asked for one rdking647 Jun 2013 #54

I went to Best Buy and was trying to buy a cheap DVD player for cash. Fuddnik Jun 2013 #55

Retail stores also ask so you are charged the correct tax krawhitham Jun 2013 #59

I don't follow that.... dixiegrrrrl Jun 2013 #60

Different zip codes have different sales tax percentages krawhitham Jun 2013 #62

Well, that is true here also, but we pay at point of sale. dixiegrrrrl Jun 2013 #63