Hello,
Most websites and even shops require people to subscribe to a loyalty program. In my threat model I don’t want to sell data to big tech easily that could be traced back to me as an individual and wherever I can I would like some privacy.
For rewards programs in shops where I pay with cash, would it make sense to give just an email alias, fake name and birthdate ? Is it not worth it ? If I pay with credit card would it make sense to give at least the real name ?
Best Regards,
This is not my experience. Many websites/shops/etc Ask you to sign up for loyalty programs, or Imply you should or need to. But I’m struggling to think of cases where it is a hard requirement (I’m sure examples exist, I’m just struggling to think of any, it also might depend on region/country). Do you have examples of retailers that mandate loyalty/rewards programs?
For rewards programs in shops where I pay with cash, would it make sense to give just an email alias, fake name and birthdate ?
In my experience you don’t even need to do this in most cases. If you choose to participate in the rewards/loyalty programs, just ask for the card/registration and tell the cashier you’ll fill it out later at home (this is usually their preference anyway since it means you won’t slow down the line). Then just start using the card, no signup/personal info required, at least that has been my experience. At worst, I’ve been intermittantly encouraged to provide my details, but never forced or pressured. If you want to take this one step further you can ‘lose’ your card every once in a while, get a new one and start fresh. Maybe this strategy works better in certain countries, or at some retailers/industries, but I’d encourage you to give it a try.
Yes you’re right, I miswrote. What I wanted to convey is that lower prices and and perks are locked behind behind the rewards program.
It used to be for example that a retailer would give -10% on all store brands if you were part of their loyalty program.
From my experience, some loyalty programs will offer general deals, limited/quantity deals (“4 per account”), perhaps birthday offers (free coffee or cupcake on your birthday), and perhaps games/contests at certain times of the year.
Egads.
Think about how much you care. You may want to toss an email, phone number, and birth date if you want the birthday type of scenario.
If you just care about deals, you may be able to find general numbers online (reddit?) that people share. Common are variations on Tommy Tutone’s 1980’s hit Jenny with 867-5309 or taxi company numbers.
Safeway/Albertson’s on the west coast is considered a data vacuum.
Some stores will throw you a card with a UPC on the back. Overall, depends on the store, the program and what they do (and the future), as well as what you want out of it. Or maybe find a card tossed in the parking lot and keep it.
For those who want a Tommy Tutone link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WTdTwcmxyo
It was an earworm at that time.
Usually the clerks ask for email phone number, name and birtdate.
But all in all I wonder if I were to use a completely fake identity what it would look like if I wanted to use the birthday coupon for example.
Depends on the store.
I gave Starbucks a fake birthdate, and I just need to show the phone/app (or maybe the email they send, never tried that now that I think about it).
I’d guess most stores would have the birthday offer loaded to your account if they don’t expose it another way.
But, you may want to make a list of these birthdate offers to track them for planning purposes.
avoid them, they’re just to better track you
also if you’re genuinely amicable and have rapport with the store/cashier you can usually still often get the store discount without it
pointless when you then linked it to the app which linked it with your advertising ids/device fingerprint/etc.
they can and do link that to your identity.
On the rare occasion someone has tried to up-charge me for not having a loyalty card or required me to do this, I just left the items on the counter and walked away.
I did have someone get very irritated with me and said he job performance and raises would suffer because I was refusing to sign up. I just kinda stood there with a blank stare while my transaction completed. She was young, and I used to have a job that similarly pushed those rules. I shop there less now.
Edit: In both these cases I paid with a card so my purchases are likely being tracked in some way anyway.
The point of these programs is of course
To get details like phone number and email address to send you marketing crap
To track your purchases
So knowing this, if the lower prices are worth it, then go for it. I just wish companies were more upfront about what they are for.
Hmm so to quickly summarize if you go via app the game is over.
Would it be that the most private way is to use a randomized identity and pay cash, avoid apps and use websites instead?
Perhaps and yeah. I store many of my loyalty cards in Catima (Android). Safeway/Albertson’s has a unique QR code, and most self-serve checkouts don’t have the hand wand that can read it. One has to use the phone numbers here.
I have screen shots of my Safeway accounts saved in a photo album if I go through a normal aisle. It really looks like the app. 
Amazon/Whole Food’s code rotates like a TOTP code.
FWIW, Whole Foods gift cards are scannable and can be stored in an app like Catima.