Making A Return

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Want to make a return? Got your driver's license? Wait. Why?

In this season of buying, giving, and returning, you may be asked to present a receipt and then, with or without the receipt, you might be asked for your driver's license. Here's a news flash—it's not to validate your parking. It's to monitor your so-called "return profile".  With return rates of almost 10 percent according to USA Today, many companies including Best Buy, JC Penney, and Home Depot, are turning to third party companies like The Retail Equation that use proprietary customer tracking software to see what your buying—and returning—habits are. The stores that use it say it helps them cut down on theft. But customers who take back merchandise with a receipt and are still denied a return are mad; lawsuits are now being filed alleging violation of consumer protection and privacy laws. But the law only requires that stores abide by their own return policies, and some companies disclose the fact that you need to present ID when you return merchandise and may be denied based on their return patterns. You've never seen that disclosure? Turn over the receipt, get out your magnifying lens and look at that tiny, light print on the back. Or go to the website of the company. And know anytime your license is requested and scanned, it's going to be kept. Then decide if you want your money or your privacy.