Buying a car? What are you leaving behind?

The anticipation of getting a new vehicle is exhilarating. The hunt, the test drive, and the purchase are all part of the car-buying process. Still, the overall experience can differ significantly from dealer to dealer, whether it is an online purchase delivered to your front door or a personal interaction at the dealership. I used to prefer in-person interactions. However, that changed when I was invited to join my daughter in her search for her first car.

We went from dealer to dealer, and our customer experience differed at each stop. Some dealers joined the joy ride, while others trusted you solo. Regardless, all required the same prerequisite: an exchange of property, a swap of your license for a ride, and a temporary hold of your license based on a mutual honor code, ensuring a prompt vehicle return. For years, a simple exchange of properties, such as a car ride for your license on "hold," has allowed you to test drive any vehicle on the lot. It is the status quo, a practice that has transpired for decades.

But buyers, please be aware that not all dealers prioritize how they safeguard your property—A.K.A., your driver's license.

At our last stop of the night, I convinced her to return to a car I spotted that was a decent price but not on her list. She agreed we would stop by if we had time.

Upon arrival, we found out it was a stick shift. I could not resist taking it for a spin. With the nostalgia of my first car being stick, I convinced her to go for a quick ride, and she agreed! I didn't think much about exchanging my driver's license for a whirl. She, after all, was doing that all night. So, with feelings of nostalgia and my desire to win her over with the possibility of her driving stick, I happily gave him my license, and he joined us on our car ride.

My license for a drive around town. That's how it works.

At this dealer, the salesperson rode along. You could tell he was a "greener" sales representative who needed some finessing, but he answered my daughter's questions and kept her interested.

She was the potential buyer.

Upon returning the car, we parked and exchanged mobile phone numbers; I returned the keys and went on our way. Within 15 minutes, in the opposite direction, I immediately realized that I left my driver's license at the dealer.

I called to see if we could swing back as the location was closed for 15 minutes. Our sales rep promptly said, "No, sorry, You must wait until the morning."

Unfortunately, I was traveling out of state in the morning and needed my driver's license before opening hours the next day. As the sales rep quickly defined scenarios and entertained the conversation, it became apparent that my driver's license was vulnerable to theft or identity theft.

He offered to take a picture of my license and text it. No, I responded abruptly.

"I will meet you," he said; he quickly replied, "I can't meet you." The more he talked, the more uncomfortable I became. Then, he nonchalantly stated that it might be on the copier.

What?

It's my personal property; I returned yours, and now you return mine.?

I admit I handed him my license with no concerns. I never even asked what their policies were for managing my driver's license. It was assumed trust.

I recently learned that Pete MacInnis from eLEND Solutions ran a report (2022) and survey questions that asked dealerships how they were protecting against identity fraud risks. He states that the top two responses of intake processes were photocopying the ID (64%) and using the red flags rule (56%).

That's a process that has stayed the same for decades.?

In my case, safeguarding my official identity, i.e., a license, didn't happen and is even more critical today. I thought my license was in a safe during my quick whirl around the block. It was not. It was vulnerable and left on the copier for the night, or with him, or on his desk, wherever—he didn't even know; he just wanted me to go away.

By the way, I did manage to get it back by escalating the situation.

Car shopping can be daunting and fun simultaneously, but it is essential to emphasize the importance of identity theft awareness for buyers, sales teams, and business owners.

Proactive staff training regarding handling of personal identification and customer records is becoming the norm. You can seek out dealers who want to build a trusting customer relationship by safeguarding your identity. I want you to know that there are dealers who prioritize instituting thorough identification management, spotting suspicious activities, cooperating with law enforcement, and investing in appropriate identity theft awareness by training their staff. These should be essential parts of car dealer sales training. In today's world of identity theft risk, dealerships must consider that customers' personal property is safely managed.

I hope you find this helpful and that it makes you think twice when you hand over your driver's license for a test drive.