Why do I need to show my passport to buy foreign currency?

claire16c

Ive had to show my driving license at M&S even when getting around €200.

[Deleted User]

I asked for Euros with a debit card and they would not do it without ID and wanted cash. So It's alright to go and sell some drugs and get cash but not alright to have a debit card that can be traced back to you, crazy

Jennifer_Jane

Well, I think it's standard that you have to have photo ID for foreign exchange, so unsure what the problem is. I've ordered £250 online from Thos Cook for collection on Saturday, and the website says photo ID. Can't see it's a problem to pop my passport in my bag.

Re the debit/credit card charges, I think it's standard that Thos Cook mention this too. And I'd be grateful they do. Having looked at Martin's info on his site about various cards and their charges, this has saved me hassle.

With credit cards, it's not just the 'cash advance' fee, but also the interest that seems to go on and on for months, even when the whole amount is paid off immediately after buying the currency.

If you have a Post Office credit card, you can buy from them without charges and they deliver the next day. They didn't have the best rate this time, and I wanted too small an amount though, so I withdrew the cash from my bank current account and will take it to Thos Cook.

Jennifer_Jane

shrimper1 wrote: »

I asked for Euros with a debit card and they would not do it without ID and wanted cash. So It's alright to go and sell some drugs and get cash but not alright to have a debit card that can be traced back to you, crazy

Um. No. Drug dealing is illegal and immoral. Can't understand why you are saying this.

The travel agents are just trying to help, I don't think they are insisting on cash are they? You need to have the photo ID to get the currency with cash too. Sounds like there may be some exceptions, but usually just take the ID. I'm pretty sure that the Thos Cook website said take photo ID, but didn't mention it was OK for small amounts to not have it.

What is the big deal?

[Deleted User]

Sorry I was using drugs as a stupid example of getting cash and no I dont and agree with you. I was in town and decided to get my holiday money and they would not do it without photo Id which i never had with me.Not a problem using cash and no ID. I know use travelex booked before I travel and pick it up at the airport where I do have my passport with me and get a better rate

Gloomendoom

usignuolo wrote: »

Yeah right, small white middle aged lady - well known drug fence. Just as I was concealing weapons in my little old car when I was stopped on a random police search in central london 18months ago. You do wish they would spend more time on targeting more likely candidates for fraud, terrorism whatever.

Unfortunately, they get into trouble for focusing on the most likely candidates so, to keep a balance, they have to target an equal number of highly unlikely candidates. Some would call it a waste of precious resources, others would call it PC.

giraffe69

I got some foreign currency from M&S and paid by cash. I took my passport but did not need it(I think they require a passport or other id for £1K or more). They did however ask me to fill in a card with my name and address. They then gave me the cash and tore the card up! Strange world we live in. I used to buy it from my bank who did require a passport but they gave such a poor rate I have moved on.

House_owner

I went into my local post office at the weekend and got 300 US$ cash - I paid for it in cash, they never asked for any ID or my name and address

NMSE12

I had to show my passport at Sainsburys too. I wasn't offended or put off.. just did and was glad to get my holiday spends.

Mojisola

usignuolo wrote: »

Yeah right, small white middle aged lady - well known drug fence. Just as I was concealing weapons in my little old car when I was stopped on a random police search in central london 18months ago. You do wish they would spend more time on targeting more likely candidates for fraud, terrorism whatever.

If I was a terrorist, you're just the sort of person I would try to con into transporting my guns or explosives for me.