Buyer beware: Stores swipe drivers license for personal data

(WXYZ) - A heads up for anyone planning to return something.

The store may not just ask for your name and phone number. They may demand your drivers license.

It's a new trend that's not sitting well with shoppers.

Emily Adams recently decided  to return a $4 spool of yarn she purchased from a local Michaels store.

She had the receipt, and since she had paid cash, she expected an easy return.

She was wrong.

Emily Adams says, "She asked me for my drivers license.  I kinda thought this is weird, then I thought, she's just gonna look at it to know its me."

But she says the clerk did not simply look at the license.

"So I handed it to her and she swiped it through the register," said Adams.

Emily was stunned.

"I asked her, I said what information did that record from my license?  And she said all of it," said Adams.
Michaels stores is one of a growing number of retailers now swiping drivers licenses for returns, to prevent theft.

Michaels' website clearly states you must provide a valid license or US passport for any return, no matter how small.

But some customers are complaining, saying they don't want stores to have their license number, birth date, and address.

A class action lawsuit just filed in Federal Court in West Palm Beach is demanding that best buy stop this very same practice.

And at least one congressman wants the policy outlawed.

Emily says while she loves the crafts sold by Michaels stores, it's not worth making a return to get back just a couple of bucks.

Michael's stores and Best Buy both insist drivers license data is safe, is not sold, and is kept only for internal fraud prevention.

But if you don't want to give them that information, then don't plan on returning anything you buy there.