A friend of mine sent this email to me. (someone had sent it to her, it's not her talking) Thought it was a good reminder to be on alert for scams.



Be sure to read 'Scene 3' (Something new they are now trying)


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.
Hmmm." He dressed and just flipped open 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 whopping 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 yes - you
guessed it - a switch had been made. An expired 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 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 cancelled that card as I was walking
out of the pizza parlor.

All I am saying is to 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 number 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.

Thank you for sending this. If I ever get a credit card I'll be sure to keep a close eye on them.

__________________

Definitely worth thinking about, although I find myself wondering about the ones where the cards were replaced with expired cards. Where would thieves get all these expired cards? That just happen to match the bank name, color of card, etc.? Seems sort of urban legend-ish, to me.

Also have never heard of a credit card company that would make you pay (or accept) $9000 on a $14,000 bill. I, in fact, once reported a card stolen only after I received my statement, which showed some obviously fraudulent charges, and the card issuer removed them without a problem.

Still, anything that reminds you to be cautious with credit cards is good!

Aderyn

That's what I figured. I wasn't sure if it was an urban legend or not but it helps remind us to be careful. The one mentioning the kid taking a picture of the card could happen though, I guess.

If in doubt about whether something is a true urban legend or is true or possibly true, go to www.snopes.com. They debunk all kinds of legends. The one here on credit cards is determined possible but not likely.

I never hurts to be diligent, though, and the precautions listed are something we should all keep in mind.

__________________
Nita

I agree. I could imagine either one happening. Even the substituted credit card -- it might not happen often, but I could see a crook holding onto the odd expired card just in case the right match came along.

Aderyn

Thats scary. People will do anything to scam you now days...I'm watching my card closer........

I suspect that the story is an urban legend. On the basis of the "facts" given for scenario 1, the individual's maximum liability is fixed by law (Reg. E of the Federal Reserve) at $50.00, not $9,000. However, it is still a good idea to be careful with your cards.

__________________
Henry