Amscot Amscot hides behind anti-terrorism statutes to extract customer info Tarpon Springs, Florida

On Februry 3, 2011, at approximately 12:30 PM, I went into the Amscot store located at 1003 East Boyer Street Tarpon Springs, Fl. I was aware that if a customer seeks to purchase a money order over $500, then Amscot requests ID and proceeds to ask the customer what the money is for. It turned out I needed the money orders for rent, but I don't owe Amscot an explanation as to why I need the money orders. Apparently there are some "anti-terrorism" statues now in place that if you buy a money order $500, then they must  request ID. I don't need government permission to pay my rent - this isn't Russia. So, I deliberately requested a money order for $499. She gave it to me, no problem. Then, I said, "I want a money order for $499" and was about to hand her the money. The employee said to me "Now I'll need your ID". I reminded her that I am not required to give ID for a money order under $500, and I left the Amscot store.

Upon calling the corporate office, a "supervisor" who would only identify herself as  "Asia" told me that they have to request ID "because of new anti-terrorism laws". I reminded here that it is unlikely that an islamic extremist is going to buy his terrorist supplies with an Amscot money order. Apparent, we Americans lack common sense. There is no happy medium - as evidenced by the recent string of cases in which innocent civilians were harassed and mistreated by the TSA. I told "Asia" that terrorists want us to live in fear, and companies like Amscot are giving them what they want.It turns out that I have years of professional anti-terrorism training. "Asia" wasn't telling me anything I don't already know. It is disturbing to know that Amscot is abusing and hiding behind these "laws" to extract information from it's customers. They are not required to request ID for a money order under $500 - end of story. Asia then proceeded to tell me that since Amscot is a "private company, we can do whatever we want". Those were her words - verbatim. It is disappointing and disturbing to see that such a large company is so proudly unethical and uncooperative. I am currently speaking with a former federal prosecutor about the prospect of seeking legal action against Amscot. I would expect better from a company that is entrusted with the personal information of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Hopefully, a formal investigation will be launched into Amscots highly questionable tactics and deceptive answers.My monthly rent is $1400. I purchased the remaining $900 in money orders from a Publix supermarket for just $1.78 - no questions, no demand for ID, no interrogation about what I will be using the money for.