Credit cards

Mac_Attack · #1 03-08-2007, 09:01 PM

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"
>>>>
>>>
>>>______________________________________ ___________________________

randlemanboater · #2 03-09-2007, 02:11 AM

I took $60 out of the ATM a few days ago, went back today for more and it said I had no money. While this is not totally unusual for me, I knew that there was money in there this time.

Called the credit union and they said that some switch had gotten stuck somewhere and had cleaned out a bunch of people's accounts.

The machines are taking over.

randlemanboater · #3 03-09-2007, 02:13 AM

Don't use debit cards either cause if someone gets access, they are taking your cash. If its a credit card you can work it out with the CC company, debit card, you cant buy groceries for the kids.

bradford · #4 03-12-2007, 12:45 AM

Big Brother and his cronies are watching us all. :(

reelapeelin · #5 03-12-2007, 08:57 AM

Mac's scene #1 is why I NEVER go to gyms to workout ;) ;D ;D ...

chumbucket · #6 03-12-2007, 09:06 AM

There is another scene that sums up a common problem where accounts are cleaned out incredibly fast.

Quick and easy illustration............................

reelapeelin · #7 03-12-2007, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chumbucket

There is another scene that sums up a common problem where accounts are cleaned out incredibly fast.

Quick and easy illustration............................

Havin' two teenage girls I'm familiar and HORRIFIED by that, CB :o ... :'( ...much like Hammer's donut -shop on fire :'( ...

chumbucket · #8 03-12-2007, 09:40 AM

Understandable. :'( :-/

Stillrunning · #9 03-12-2007, 06:25 PM

I don't think the first one is correct. If the card is used by anyone who is unauthorized to do so the card hold is not liable for the charges.

Here is another scam. Someone gets your card number some how and then calls you as if they are the card company. They say that they think some fraudgelent charges where made to the card and make up some items which where purchased with your card. You as they know will say they are not you charges and then they say they need to verify you have the card. They then get you to read those three number off the back and now they have all they need to charge away.