Help Me Howard: Cash ID

WSVN -- Donald doesn't want to brag but he said, his wedding this Summer in Peru was fantastic.

Donald Pugsley: "We had beautiful results, we did a Tiffany theme. Our wedding bands, my tuxedo had a Tiffany vest her dress had a tiffany sash."

In keeping with the theme, Donald bought Carmen an $800 pearl handled Tiffany purse.

Donald Pugsley: "We used that as a prop for the wedding."

That turned out well. Back in South Florida at a restaurant, it turned out badly.

Donald Pugsley: "We had an unfortunate accident that the waiter accidentally dumped some lobster butter food on the purse, staining it."

The manufacturer could not repair the purse. When Donald asked the restaurant to replace it, they said no. So he decided to sue and had to officially notify them.

Donald Pugsley: "When I filed the summons to appear that the Sheriff will deliver, I noticed the memorandum in the window requesting that cash payment have to show photo ID accompanying them."

Donald said he was surprised that he had show a picture ID even though he was paying the $40 fee in cash.

Donald Pugsley: "Showing an ID for a cash transaction is absolutely odd. Cause again, I have never seen that done in my life."

Donald had no choice and showed his ID, but it concerned him.

Donald Pugsley: "What about if someone does not have an ID? Does that mean that they will not follow through with the summons?"

BSO started requiring you show a picture ID when paying cash last year. Donald wonders who else can do it.

Donald Pugsley: "Let's say you go into a grocery store and you want to buy a pack of gum or your paying $200 to buy groceries. They're going to start asking for ID?

The US government prints the cash, it's legal US tender. So why Donald says, does anyone need to see your ID before accepting cash issued by the government?

Donald Pugsley: "Is it legal for state or municipalities or even individuals to go ahead and make their own rules when it comes to cash payments?"

Well Howard, cash may be king but can you be required to show your ID when you use it?

Howard Finkelstein: "Because it's a law enforcement agency, it is reasonable for them to find out who is paying them for their services. And if it's a business, they can require you to show an ID in case the money turns out to be counterfeit."

We were told BSO started requiring an ID when people started filing phony paperwork. Since they paid cash, there was no way to track them down.

A BSO spokesman said an ID is required to prevent that fraudulent activity. They added, if a person doesn't want to show an ID, they can pay with a check. Or if possible, go with a private process server and not with BSO. In other words, cash still may be king, if you have an ID.

Howard Finkelstein: "There is no law that says a business or government agency has to accept cash. And because there is no law mandating it, when they accept cash, they can require an ID. However, you don't have to show your ID, you can just walk away."

Donald is happy on two counts. One, he and the restaurant worked out a deal for the damaged purse and two, he is satisfied with BSO's reasons for asking for his ID.

Donald Pugsley: "Help Me Howard will get the word out to the whole community so people can understand that again Broward Sheriffs is looking out for you and I best interest and they should be applauded."

Of course, with debit cards and smart phones, it may not be long before cash is not common at all. With little cash, it will cut down on counterfeiting. But of course, the crooks will steal your pin or smart phones. Cash may disappear but crooks will never go away.

Bought a problem you want us to check out? Call us and cash in.

We don't need your ID, just your idea for your Help Me Howard. With this Help Me Howard, I'm Patrick Fraser 7News.

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