Re: Watch your credit cards!

[Guest guest]

Wow

That is unbelievable! That is really scary! I am way too unaware

of my surroundings. I will try to be more careful. Thanks for

sharing I appreciate it.

Hugs, Kathy

>

> Since I just experienced an episode of credit card fraud

yesterday, I thought this was important to share.

>

> Be sure to read 'Scene 3'

>

> 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.

> Hmmmmm. " 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 - yo! u 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 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 at 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 waite! d, 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 w hat 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 cards, 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 c

ard 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!

>

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