Id Program Pays Dividends For Local Merchants Stores Report Fewer Bogus Checks Since Clerks Began Asking To See Identification

Spokane merchants say a new check-writing identification system has dramatically reduced their number of stolen checks, though some customers are miffed about submitting to the extra security.

The Partners in Crime Prevention program, which requires clerks to match picture identification with the name imprinted on a check, has kept dozens of stolen checks out of Rosauers Supermarkets, Zip Trip Food Stores and other outlets that launched the program Aug. 1, officials said Thursday.

The program is proving so successful that even customer service leader Nordstrom department store has joined, said Partners director Dean Merritt.

Other retailers joining in recent weeks include the Bon Marche, J.C. Penney, Sun Rental Center, Chapter 11 restaurants, the Best Western Thunderbird Inn, Yoke’s Pac ‘N’ Save, Albertson’s and Tidymans.

“Prevention is the best and cheapest way to solve the problem of stolen checks,” Merritt said. “Our goal is to get every retail merchant in town involved.”

The program was launched when several grocery stores agreed to begin asking customers for picture ID regardless of the check amount. In this way, the stores hoped a concerted effort would deter crime without becoming an annoyance that competitors would use to lure away customers.

Rosauers Supermarkets, which earlier this year received up to 19 stolen checks per month at each store, has had only one stolen check this month cashed at its 10 Spokane locations, said security director Jim Hansen.

“It’s early in the process, so I don’t want to start feeling too good, yet,” he said. “But I can’t help but believe this (ID program) is what’s helping us.”

Under the program, customers must show a driver’s license, military ID or passport that matches the name on their check. Clerks can waive through family members, close friends and long-time customers for whom they are willing to personally vouch.

Zip Trip, which implemented the ID program at its 15 Spokane stores, will introduce it in its five North Idaho locations next week, said office manager Elaine Cairns. The convenience store chain also uses an electronic check scanner that tells clerks which customers are a serious credit risk.

“We have had people pull out credit cards to pay when their checks were declined; we’ve have a couple of people dash out to the parking lot,” she said. “We’re hoping down the line that people sticking us for gas they’re not paying for will stop coming back.”

Some customers, however, are offended by the demands for identification. Hansen said a number of loyal Rosauers customers called President Larry Geller, and delays at the checkout stand irk some shoppers.

But most have been supportive. One Rosauers manager passed out his business card to a handful of veteran customers who can flash it at the check-out stand and get waived through.

“The public response has been great, and that kind of surprises me,” Hansen said.

, DataTimes