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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 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 receiptand
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 andbehold, 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. |
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發表於 2008-4-4 09:21
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