Credit cards

[Mac_Attack]

Subject: credit cards













>>>>IDENTITY THEFT
>>>>
>>>>Be sure to read Scene 3.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Quite interesting.
>>>>
>>>> SCENE 1.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't they?
>>>>A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.
>>>> After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and
>>>>thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Hmm, He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in
>>>>order.
>>>> Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.
>>>> A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of
>>>>$14,000!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying
>>>>that he did not make the transactions.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Customer care personnel verified that there was no Mistake in the system
>>>>and asked if his card had been stolen.
>>>>"No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card,
>>>>and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made.
>>>>An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.
>>>> The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.
>>>> Verdict:
>>>>
>>>> The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing
>>>>earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them.
>>>>
>>>>How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy?
>>>>
>>>>$9,000! Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped?
>>>>Small a mounts rarely trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card
>>>>companies
>>>>
>>>> It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> SCENE 2.
>>>>
>>>> A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card.
>>>>The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the
>>>>receipt and passed the credit card along.
>>>> Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket.
>>>>Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and
>>>> behold, it was the expired card of another person.
>>>>He called the waitress and she looked perplexed.
>>>>
>>>>She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the
>>>>watchful eye of the man.
>>>>
>>>> All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong
>>>>expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately
>>>> looked down and took out the real card.
>>>>
>>>> No exchange of words --- nothing! She took it and came back to the man
>>>>with an apology.
>>>>
>>>> Verdict:
>>>>
>>>> Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours.
>>>>Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the
>>>>card is taken away for even a short period of time.
>>>>
>>>> Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it,
>>>>"assuming" that it has to be theirs.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH
>>>>TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> SCENE 3:
>>>> Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I
>>>>had called in.
>>>>I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly
>>>>to my checking account.
>>>>
>>>> The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it
>>>>on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard
>>>> procedure.
>>>>While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing.
>>>>
>>>> I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing
>>>>seemed out of the ordinary.
>>>>
>>>> Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a
>>>>picture..
>>>>
>>>> He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he
>>>>was still pressing buttons.
>>>>
>>>> Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of,
>>>>oblivious to what was really going on.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now
>>>>I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.
>>>>
>>>> He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open.
>>>>
>>>> About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the
>>>>picture has been saved.
>>>>
>>>> Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just
>>>>took a picture of my credit card.
>>>>
>>>> Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of
>>>>phone, I probably would never have known what happened.
>>>>
>>>> Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out
>>>>of the pizza parlor.
>>>>
>>>> All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times.
>>>>
>>>> Whenever you are using your credit card take caution and don't be
>>>>careless.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use
>>>>your card.
>>>>
>>>> Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days.
>>>>
>>>> When you are in a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings your card
>>>>and receipt for you to sign, make sure you scratch the number off.
>>>>
>>>> Some restaurants are using only the last four digits, but a lot of
>>>>them are still putting the whole thing on there.
>>>>
>>>> I have already been a victim of credit card fraud and, believe me, it
>>>>is not fun. The truth is that they can get you even when you are
>>>>careful,
>>>>but don't make it easy for them.
>>>>
>>>> FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN THINK OF. LET'S GET THE WORD
>>>> OUT! JUST BE AWARE
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> >"No matter where you go, no matter what the weather,
>>>> >always bring your own sunshine"
>>>>
>>>
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