Some Rental Companies May Photocopy Your Id Cards

Before you head off to rent equipment for those do-it-yourself projects or party supplies for a special event, check your wallet.

Got your driver's license, a Washington state identification card, a student card or some other picture ID? Know your vehicle license number?

How about a major credit card?

If you don't have a credit card, carry plenty of cash, especially if you haven't dealt with the rental company previously, and you're renting a costly item.

Now some stores may photograph you and/or your driver's license. That's a relatively new trend in the industry, and it's viewed as a deterrent to losses.

No state law prohibits the practice.

Some consumers have expressed concern about security for such photocopies. If you're required to have your picture taken or your driver's license photocopied, ask the store how it protects those records and how long they're stored.

"We heard of another rental store that saw a difference (a drop) in their losses after installing a video camera," said Terry Fitzpatrick, manager of AA Rentals Inc. tools in Lake City. So Fitzpatrick had a camera installed.

Mike Cohen, manager of United Rentals Inc. in South Seattle, says that after he lost $10,000 worth of equipment he began taking pictures of consumers and their driver's licenses.

Lowell Frye, operations manager of TuCo Industrial Products Inc., Lynnwood, rents temporary heating systems, air-moving equipment and other specialty items.

Frye may not ask for a deposit. But if you're taking a $1,000 patio heater to another county, he'll probably insist on it.

Frye is likely to photocopy your driver's license.

If you fail to return the rented item, or your check bounces, the rental company will be better equipped to track you down.

After your check clears, TuCo shreds the photocopy of your license. Other companies report keeping photocopies as long as they keep a copy of the rental contract.

Some rental companies base deposits on a percentage of the rental fee.

U Haul Co. will request deposits from $5 to $150, depending on the item.

If you're renting a truck or trailer to move from Seattle to Chicago, you'll be asked for an $80 deposit; if your move is local, the deposit is $20.

You can reserve equipment from U Haul by phone with a credit card. If you want to pay the deposit with a check, you'll have to go in person. And your money won't be returned for three to four weeks.

Rowan Event Services, which deals in party tents, heating systems, carpets and other special equipment, may charge a 50 percent deposit of the rental fee.

Because Rowan's equipment often has to be delivered by the company, there isn't the same concern about a deposit as there is when a consumer drives off with items, said Karen Purdy, office manager.

Don Stoliker, owner of two Handy Andy Rent-A-Tool locations, generally charges 1 1/2 times the rental for a deposit if a customer is paying cash. If the customer will pay by credit card, Stoliker holds an open slip.

Stoliker pays attention to addresses and phone numbers. If the "geography" of the address and phone don't match, Stoliker is likely to do more checking before allowing equipment out of his store.

A law passed last year has created some confusion about recording credit-card numbers. A merchant cannot record the numbers on your credit-card when you use the card as proof of identification and pay by check. The card's expiration date can be recorded.

However, if you use the credit card in lieu of a cash deposit for a rental, it's OK for the merchant to record the numbers.

Most rental companies have a couple more tips for consumers:

"Treat rented equipment like your own, and bring it back like you picked it up - clean."

Shelby Gilje's Troubleshooter column appears Tuesday, Thursday and

Sunday in the Scene section of The Times. Do you have a problem? Write to Times Troubleshooter, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. Include copies, not originals, of documents indicating payment, guarantees, contracts and other relevant materials.