jen3kids Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I'm not a privacy-freak by any means, but this request for my driver's license number made me wonder. My son just started competitive rock-climbing and we have to complete a waiver at each gym he climbs at. This weekend he is climbing at a new place. No other gym (and he has climbed at 4 other ones) has ever asked for my driver's license. I emailed them and asked why. They responded with... Our participant's waiver constitutes a legal document, so the license number is required as proof of age and identity, as well as legal relation to the competitor. I understand if in this day and age you are reluctant to provide personal information, but unfortunately our operational standards and insurance policy require a completed waiver for every individual who competes. Please let me know if you have any further questions. I know it really isn't a big deal, but it just bothers me for some reason. I've already emailed them back asking what they would if I didn't have a driver's license. And how does it prove my relationship? Thoughts? I know, I'm being difficult.. sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valley Girl Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 You're not being "difficult." You have every right to question a business as to why they need that information. I asked the school district the same question when they wanted mine on my child's enrollment application. (Unfortunately, we've had personal information hacked from supposedly secure databases several times in the last couple of years, so I'm hypervigilant about it.) Apparently, they have NEVER had someone without a license enroll a child. Imagine that! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen3kids Posted October 28, 2015 Author Share Posted October 28, 2015 I heard back.... If you do not have a drivers licenses, we accept State ID Cards, Voter Registration Cards, and Passports. It also helps prevent children under 18 filling out the waver themselves. We check last names and addresses that match. Our operational standards and insurance policy require a completed waiver for every individual who competes. I hope that answers your questions. I must admit that my latest reply was long and thought-provoking (I hope!), but at the end of it I asked how they protected my information and identity. I requested their IT specialist get back to me :001_smile: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I often transpose numbers on waivers, don't know why it happens so very often. Of course you've made them notice you so they might ask for proof, I often conveniently forget my i.d. at home too. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I'd be ok showing them my voter registration card. All it has is my name and address and voting precinct. Do other places have a much more official looking card? I don't really see how that proves your age or relationship to your son, though. If they're just using name and addresses they could get the same thing from any piece of mail sent to your address. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jen3kids Posted October 28, 2015 Author Share Posted October 28, 2015 I'd be ok showing them my voter registration card. All it has is my name and address and voting precinct. Do other places have a much more official looking card? I don't really see how that proves your age or relationship to your son, though. If they're just using name and addresses they could get the same thing from any piece of mail sent to your address. I have no idea - I don't have one since I'm not a US citizen. It really is crazy. I know they need a waiver, but this seems to be out of the ordinary. We've been to tonnes of activities that require waivers - trampoline gyms, corn mazes, laser tag, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wathe Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Huh. And if your surname doesn't match your kids'? That would be pretty common in my area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Yeah, I'm not sure how the DL proves relationship, or why they care about your exact birthday. I've had people check my ID, but not write down the number. Or, maybe they'd be willing to just write down the last four digits, to prove to the insurance company that they checked it, but make it difficult for anyone to use it against you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Their insurer wants them to verify that the person signing the waiver is the person listed. They aren't explaining it well but it really is that simple. They need to document your ID so that if your son was injured and you made a claim they could prove in court that you, yourself, signed the liability waiver. Here they'd probably want a copy of your ID. Insurance is their largest expense outside of staffing and real estate. They do what their insurer requires. Asking what they do to keep their files secure is perfectly reasonable. I hope they have a good answer for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I carry tape white out for if a license is really required. I put the tape over the number. Also known as defacing a government document, which is illegal. I have also transposed numbers. We have been at a rock climbing gym, horseback riding, things like that and never been asked for a license. My dc have a different last name. Seriously, what is next? Birth certificates? Adoption papers? DNA profiles? The only passive aggressive thing I can think of is for you to ask to see the business's certificate of insurance. I have to do this if I am taking Girl Scouts to a venue that is not already registered with out local council. If they hem and haw, it usually means they are inadequately insured. Btw, GS wants proof of 1 million in liability insurance. Recently, when I was applying for student checking for under 18 ds, I had to show my license. The bank then gave me paperwork to sign. My ss# was there, obtained via my license. Yikes! Some stores that sell to teens ask for ID when a credit card is used. According to want I read on line, visa and MasterCard explicitly prohibit this in their merchant agreements. AMEX does not have a policy. I do argue, but, if I give in, I hold my finger over he number while cashier looks at my name and ghastly photo to see that they match card. I do not let cashier touch/scan card. Sorry to sound angry, but I'd proof and theft gets to me. I actually went and bought a small rototiller rather than leave a Xerox of my license in an unlocked ("Don't worry, it's safe") file cabinet at Home Depot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kroe1 Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Local businesses around here now require the same thing on the liability waivers. I just made up a number. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Entropymama Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 It sounds really weird, however, insurance companies can be picky, especially if they are insuring for a high amount. For example, our church's umbrella policy had to be increased recently as we've grown. The bigger we get, the more stipulations the insurance company puts in place. The youth pastors aren't allowed to play physically active games with the teenagers anymore, since they might get hurt and our umbrella policy could potentially be sued for damages. They're protecting themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 My DS doesn't have any ID and my last name is different from his, so my DL would only prove who *I* am, not that I am related to or can sign a waiver for him. What if the person showing the license is not actually the parent at all? Can you use your passport? They didn't say it has to be a US passport. My alma mater had stolen (physically, not hacking) an administrator's computer with many years' financial aid data on it, so I understand your concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I took my DD to Claire's to have her ears pierced and this is why I had to show my driver license. They didn't copy any number down, either. I don't get how it proves anything, since DD and I have different last names; they didn't ask for any proof that I am her mother or guardian. Their insurer wants them to verify that the person signing the waiver is the person listed. They aren't explaining it well but it really is that simple. They need to document your ID so that if your son was injured and you made a claim they could prove in court that you, yourself, signed the liability waiver. Here they'd probably want a copy of your ID.Insurance is their largest expense outside of staffing and real estate. They do what their insurer requires.Asking what they do to keep their files secure is perfectly reasonable. I hope they have a good answer for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 So annoying. I make up numbers all the time. Kids activities that need health insurance info when I'm at the building during the whole activity? Not worth finding my insurance card. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefgazer Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 I do this occasionally, also. I make up social security numbers, as well. So annoying. I make up numbers all the time. Kids activities that need health insurance info when I'm at the building during the whole activity? Not worth finding my insurance card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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