Is it risky to leave your ID card at a 4S store when buying a car?
3 Answers
When buying a car, do not leave your ID card at the 4S store to prevent it from being misused by malicious individuals for illegal activities. Here are some precautions to take when purchasing a car at a 4S store: Rational communication: Buying a car is similar to purchasing other items, so there's no need to feel nervous when visiting a 4S store. Just calmly listen to the salesperson's explanations. Even if the salesperson is overly enthusiastic, it's important to stick to your own ideas to avoid being misled. Price selection: Cars are consumables, so it's crucial to choose a model that fits within your financial means when selecting a car. Additionally, purchasing a car often involves paying purchase tax, vehicle and vessel tax, insurance, and registration fees, among others. Therefore, it's essential to consider the total cost of the vehicle to avoid budget shortfalls.
Last time when accompanying my friend to pick up the car, the 4S store insisted on holding the ID card to process the temporary license plate. I told them they could just make a copy in front of me for registration. Their document cabinets are actually all openly placed, with salespeople carrying folders running around the store. Privacy leaks are so severe these days – just recently in a neighboring city, someone used a customer's ID to apply for credit loans. If they must keep the ID, I would definitely watch them lock it in the safe and have the manager sign and stamp the receipt. If you're really uncomfortable, I suggest going to the DMV yourself – it only takes about half an hour to get the temporary plate sorted.
As someone working in credit risk control, it pains me to see customers casually mortgaging their ID cards. Last year, I handled a case where a salesperson took photos of a client's ID card and leaked them, resulting in five unauthorized credit cards being issued three months later. When identity verification is required for vehicle transactions, it's advisable to submit only a copy stamped with a 'For Vehicle Registration Use Only' watermark. If the dealership insists on retaining the original, a written custody agreement must be signed, clearly stating the purpose and return deadline. A more secure approach is to accompany the customer throughout all procedures, which not only allows real-time progress tracking but also prevents the documents from leaving sight.
