Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Shopping privacy

You don't have to tell Maureen how shopping works. Her very cozy home proves she's very good at it.

But on one shopping trip, the store asked for more than money.

Maureen McDermott, shopper
"The very first thing I'm always asked for is my phone number."

Her phone number? Maureen was paying cash and doubted anyone was going to call her.

Maureen McDermott, shopper
"I've never had anyone call me from the store who has had my phone number to say, ‘How do you like the color of the sweater?’ or ‘Is the bathmat working out for you?’"

When the counter clerk gets a little pushy about it...

Maureen McDermott, shopper
"It does sound as if I have to give it."

Maureen pushes back.

Maureen McDermott, shopper
"I said no, and I was kind of half curious to see what they would say."

So here's what they say: no problem. And here's what Maureen says: is it even legal? And if Maureen had given her number and address and zip code, where does that all go?

Maureen McDermott, shopper
"I decided to contact Hank."

We didn't have to shop around for answers. We went to Jon Hurst -- knower of all knowledge -- at the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. He says it is perfectly legal. They can use the info to see who's buying what and where they live, and unless you've signed something prohibiting it, they could even sell your name.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7News
"If you don't want to give that information, can they refuse to sell you something?"

Jon Hurst, Retailers Association of Massachusetts
"No good store is going to refuse to sell you something."

But this time of year even the most privacy-conscious shopper should know that when you're making a return, you might have to give personal info in return for the return.

Jon Hurst, Retailers Association of Massachusetts
"A store does need to be a little bit careful on a return to make sure it's not a fraudulent return, and it isn't someone that stole the item and is looking to return it to get that cash."

And because it's the holiday season, stores may even have special return policies, but those should all be posted in plain view.

(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)