My mom got a Sears card in her name in order for us to purchase a washer/dryer for our home at no interest for one year. Since we pay the bill each month, she just gave me the card to carry.
However - as she does with all her cards (because some consumer advocate said so - hey, she's 78) - as soon as she got the Sears card she wrote "Ask for ID" on the back.
I have NEVER been asked for ID, mainly because I use the card at K-Mart, where you just swipe the card yourself.
However, today, I had a cashier say "I just need to see your card to verify the signature."
As I handed it to her, completely ready to pay with my debit card, I said "Oh - it's my mom's card but I pay the bill."
The clerk looked at the back of the card, handed it back to me, and said "Oh. Okay."