Did I do something really, really dumb today?

[LiberalHeart]

I was at Kroger's, about to use the auto-checkout when someone at another of those checkouts asked if I would run my shopper's card over the bar code reader on her checkout line because she didn't have hers and wanted to take advantage of the sale prices. I did so, then when I looked at my receipt I saw that the shopper's card has an ID number on it, though only the final four numbers showed. The other digits were asterisks.

Not that I'm paranoid or anything (well, okay, I am) but I'm wondering if there's any way I was giving that person some of my personal info. Can anyone do anything with just those final numbers? I'm not talking about a credit card, obviously. Just one of those cards that give you a discount on sale items at a store.

[Bunny]

1. No. You're fine.

[Junkdrawer]

2. Nah. Do you get gas discounts or rebates? If so, she gave you a boost.

It's done all the time.

[LiberalHeart]

11. I seldom shop at Kroger's so don't accumulate enough for the gas discount.

[Warpy]

3. No, but management will see you had two separate sales

on your card in rapid succession. This won't be any problem, though. All cashiers at those stores have cards to scan for you if they like your looks and want to give you a break.

I go to stores that have those cards maybe twice a year and I always get a sympathetic clerk.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. No. You're okay.

and, you get the store points toward your purchases. Kroger's computer will consider that scan as something you purchased, so it goes on your Kroger points. You may get some coupons in the future when you check out, or whatever else they do with points.
At Safeway, where I used to shop, my points would earn me a free food or a special deal on purchases.

on edit:
here's Kroger's site re: rewards points
http://www.kroger.com/rewards/Pages/rewards_faq.htm

[Hokie]

5. No

The only thing that will happen is that Kroger's will show in their database that you bought the items the other person bought. The main purpose of these loyalty cards is to collect information on your shopping habits so Kroger's can sell you name to people for targeted advertising. For example, if they know you regularly purchase disposable diapers then it is likely you have an infant or two at home. You would then be a good target for other ads for children's clothing or similar merchandise.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. No act of kindness goes unpunished.

But you are probably safe!

[The Straight Story]

7. what did you do, get married?

:rofl:

Seriously though, nothing to worry about IMHO. I have done this quite a few times myself (though I try not to shop at places that require a card).

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

8. I don't think so.

As you noted, they don't have your complete number because it was asterisked out. The only thing the shoppers card does anyway is see what you buy and then surprise! surprise! you will get customized coupons. And, actually, they do a pretty good job of sending you coupons that you might actually use. If I have been buying whipped cream, cheese and catfood - lo and behold, I am mailed coupons for whipped cream, cheese and catfood. Even if they did have access to the full scan, it's pretty much just your name and mailing address.

[liberalmuse]

9. No, unless she bought pop tarts and French ticklers.

Then you're fucked, because the grocery data base will show that you're into junk food and kinky sex.

[LiberalHeart]

14. LOL ... I can't wait to see the coupons I get.

[liberalmuse]

22. I joke, but there's nothing wrong with being cautious.

It's a crazy world. That being said, the worst that will happen is you'll be flagged in their database for favoring a product you never buy. The good thing is, it kind of fucks with Big Brother.

[InvisibleTouch]

10. I've been told that it's actually an advantage to you...

...to use your discount card for someone else's purchase, if you're trying to build up points to use on Kroger's gasoline discounts. Because the other person's purchase counts on your card, even though they paid for it, and you earn the points for it. I can't imagine any way you'd give any personal info by letting them use your discount card.

I will never in my life spend enough at Kroger's over a brief enough period of time to get the points for a gasoline discount, so I see it as one of those fake customer-lures - but for people who do buy that many groceries, I guess it's an incentive.

Giant Eagle had a much better program, which didn't require you to earn as many points to get your discount, but there isn't one near me anymore. :/

[Skittles]

12. no, you're fine, but next time tell 'em to just ask a Kroger person

they swipe for people all the time :)

[ColbertWatcher]

13. YES! We can see everything that you're doing right now!

Please put your pants back on.

But, in all seriousness, I don't think the shopper gets your info, only the store, which is probably more dangerous.

[LiberalHeart]

15. If I have to start wearing pants, I'm not gonna visit DU anymore.

[Jamastiene]

28. That sounds like something I would have said.

:spray:

[Fire1]

16. No, I volunteer mine all the time.

[machI]

17. Kroger's keeps a record of everything bought on your card

Here is a horror story for you:

http://archive.salon.com/21st/feature/1998/10/14featureb.html

When Robert Rivera signed up for a Vons grocery store card, he had no idea that detailed records of his shopping habits would one day be used against him. But that's exactly what he says happened.

Rivera was shopping at a Los Angeles Vons store two years ago when he slipped on a slick of spilled yogurt, causing him to fall and shatter his kneecap. Unable to drive, let alone work, he sued the store for damages. During the negotiations, says 59-year-old Rivera, a mediator played hardball in encouraging him to settle. "He came in and said, 'They want to settle because they have information that you buy a lot of liquor,'" he recalls. As Rivera tells it, the mediator indicated that the store had accessed his shopping records and would use them against him in court.

It's not the other customer getting your information. It is a case of what that other customer bought going into your sales record.

(I've been using a Winn Dixie card I found in the parking lot a few years ago. I have know idea who's it is)

[LiberalHeart]

20. I wonder if the privacy policy says: "We'll use your info to defeat you in court."

[mrreowwr_kittty]

18. You may get some coupons for things you don't normally buy next time you shop but that's about it.

[Warren DeMontague]

19. Does Kroger's sell sex toys or gay porn?

If so, you just made some list, somewhere.

[LiberalHeart]

21. Those are the only departments I shop in.

[Warren DeMontague]

27. Well, see, now your file is all screwed up with shit like produce purchases. nt

[NV Whino]

23. At Safeway, if you don't have your card...

all you have to do is enter your phone number and you bet the discount.

[sandnsea]

30. Fred Meyer will let you too

They just don't volunteer that information as readily as Safeway does. I was rather peeved when I found out.

[JerseygirlCT]

24. I really doubt it.

I'd say the odds are about 99.9% that the other shopper just wanted the sale prices...

[babylonsister]

25. I'd think you're okay, but I've been in

Krogers w/o my wallet, thus no cards on me. They can plug in your phone number and the discount applies.
For future reference.

[Jamastiene]

26. You'll be fine.

The cashiers at our local Food Lion use their own personal MVP card (similar type of discount card) when customers forget theirs. It is actually common for people to offer to scan their card for other customers who forgot theirs too. It's no big deal. If you think back to whatever form you filled out to get the card, most likely, you were only asked for your address and name and that's it. At least, that is all I remember giving Food Lion for my MVP card.

Even if that customer who borrowed your card tried to come back and get their money back or exchange something for some reason, the manager would most likely just use their discount card on that trip and the rest of your information other than your "last 4" would remain private.

[Stinky The Clown]

29. I did that once and a week later several new brassieres in my size showed up .... free.

Which is odd, because I rarely wear brassieres and that fact was in my coded data on my Safeway card. At least they were in the right color and match the underwear I had on that day. Which was noted in the paperwork accompanying the brassieres.

Plus .... I'm a guy.






(No harm .... the card is a "customer loyalty card" and the worst that happens is you're a few bucks closer to some sort of reward or another. It is the store's version of a frequent flier card with an airline. The person with whom you shared the card has no way whatever to learn any personal data about you.)

[lunatica]

31. You're OK. The last four numbers don't give anything away.

[MadMaddie]

32. She could have touched the "Other" button and entered her

phone number.

Shouldn't do any harm.

[TheCowsCameHome]

33. No. The video camera you were standing over wasn't linked to YouTube

But the chick in lane 12 wasn't so lucky.................

:banghead:

[bevoette]

34. i HATE those cards. why not just lower the base price?? luckily, HEBs (central TX) don't have them,

[TroglodyteScholar]

35. Why not just lower the price?

Because the primary purpose of those cards is not to encourage loyalty with discounts--it's used to track your buying habits so they can make more money by selling that info.

[petronius]

36. No - they keep those IDs so they can track what you buy and send you special

offers (and advertising) based on your habits. You may see some unusual coupons on the backs of your receipts for a while.

Personally, I use those cards but I never send in the registration. They work fine even if the store doesn't know who you are...

[Kceres]

37. Isn't there a way to use one's telephone number in the auto-line?

I hate using those auto check-out thingys. They never work right and I think they were put there by management to shake up union workers.

[Catherine Vincent]

38. That happened with me once at a Kroger's check-out counter

Some lady asked to use my card that was before me. I kind of hesitated but let her use it. But next time someone asks me, I will tell them no and for them to ask the cashier.