Try this one for Size...
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, an
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 - 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 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 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 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 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
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Labels: credit scams
¶ 4:50 AM
