Technobuddy

By James Etheridge

August 9, 2007 5:46 AM | Link to this

Your card is not safe even if you do not use it. My card was used to buy stuff five states away from where I live, through catalogue sales. I do not know how it was done, but my card number was used to buy mostly small stuff from a catalogue, with the merchandise being sent to the buyer. When the catalogue sales people were questioned about where the stuff was mailed to, they denied knowing where it went to. They had to have a mailing address. Anyway,it took a week of canceling cards, contacting credit bureaus, telephone calls, writing letters of explanation, etc., to get the matter cleared up on my end. After the cards were cancelled the issuer immediately sent me new ones. I know of no way to prevent the theft of card numbers other than not to use a card at all. It appears that everyone has access to your card number even if you do not use it, and perhaps even before you receive it from the issuer.

By James Etheridge

August 9, 2007 5:47 AM | Link to this

Your card is not safe even if you do not use it. My card was used to buy stuff five states away from where I live, through catalogue sales. I do not know how it was done, but my card number was used to buy mostly small stuff from a catalogue, with the merchandise being sent to the buyer. When the catalogue sales people were questioned about where the stuff was mailed to, they denied knowing where it went to. They had to have a mailing address. Anyway,it took a week of canceling cards, contacting credit bureaus, telephone calls, writing letters of explanation, etc., to get the matter cleared up on my end. After the cards were cancelled the issuer immediately sent me new ones. I know of no way to prevent the theft of card numbers other than not to use a card at all. It appears that everyone has access to your card number even if you do not use it, and perhaps even before you receive it from the issuer.

By lovelyliz

August 9, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

Since my credit card companies have gone high tech, I check my account on-line at least once a week, if not once a day, even if I haven’t used the card.

By Koala

August 9, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

I have a USAA card, and they called me on the weekend because my card was being used in CA and NY. Seeing there are only two cards on the account, and the address is Atlanta based, they immediately called when a large charge went thru in CA. I was so happy to hear from them, and they were able to deny the charge. My husband was using the card for small purchases in NYC, and they saw that a plane ticket had been purchased in his name on the card, so it made sense to their computer. The CA charge immediately sent up a red flag. We do not shop at Macy’s and never charge $2,000+ in one hit. It appears my husband’s card was skimmed in NYC — he was there for the weekend, going to all kinds of different restaurants. I guess an underpaid low life skimmed it. Thanks USAA for looking out for us!

By JJ

August 9, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

This is one of the reasons I do not have any credit cards!!!! I pay cash do not ever finance anything, other than my house. Even my car is paid in full with cash.

I sleep real good at night, knowing I don’t owe anyone any money!!!