I find your story creative but not believable. New member, first question and it is unlikely. Usually flags a Troll.
But yes that is legal. You said they entered the full number. Did they also enter a name? Doubt full. Without it they don’t have the full info.

Could be to verify that your ID was genuine.

maybe she liked the look of ya and when her old mans gone away for work she will give ya a ring

they are putting in your birthday. there not trying to steal your identity.

I’ve been smoking for about 25 years now. When a place takes your card (swipes it or punches it in), they are entering your birthday to override the machine. The machine wont allow the purchase until it is entered. They don’t save it in their data base. Yes, it is legal for them to check for your age, it’s actually required, by law.

For tracking purposes of course. Since the government is about to raise the taxes on cigarettes, they want to be sure they can still bill you for 2 years after you stop purchasing them. Sort of like insurance companies now will not lower your rate unless you’ve been a non-smoker for 2 years.

That’s my guess anyway and it sounds right up Obama’s alley.

LOL she punched in your birthday to make sure you are 18 or over. Instead of her trying to do the math the machine does it for her. She didn’t save it the computer