Credit Card Scams - Be Aware

[Guest guest]

Credit Card Scams - Be Aware

 

BY: Calvin Steinberger

 

September 14, 2007

 

 

SCENE 1. This is a new one. 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 amounts rarely trigger a " warning bell " with some credit

card companies. It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to one

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 mmediately 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.

 

BY: Calvin Steinberger - September 14, 2007