Still more suggestions from Internet ScamBusters subscribers about preventing credit card scams
Below are suggestions #8 through #11
that we received from our Internet ScamBusters subscribers on preventing credit
card scams. (Click here if you haven't yet read credit
card fraud prevention suggestions 1 to 3 or credit
fraud protection suggestions 4 to 7.)
Preventing credit card scams -- suggestion #8:
Even with a sample signature to follow,
forgery is very difficult, and more so with signatures than with standard words
because people have a great deal of emotional baggage tied to their names and
therefore each letter in a signature may look slightly different than the same
letter used in a word in normal text.
I continue to enjoy each issue of ScamBusters, and have recommended it to so
very many of my friends and associates. I read each issue start to finish. There
has never been a single issue for which I could say "I didn't learn a thing
reading this." I am awestruck that you continue to put out a meaningful,
useful, informative and humorous e.periodical year after year. I love you guys!
Please keep up the good work.
Celeste
Preventing credit card scams -- suggestion #9:
Re credit card signing. The United States Post Office has posted signs saying they will not accept an unsigned card. The signature on my Visa was worn off when I went to buy stamps the other day. The gentleman got me a permanent ink sharpie, fine point and had me sign it. Then he put a piece of scotch tape over it to protect it. Alice
Preventing credit card scams -- suggestion #10:
I am writing about the issue of signing one's credit card. Why would a credit
card issuer care whether one signs it or not, whether one asks instead to provide
ID, or not? If I call up Orvis on the phone to order a dress, the signature
or lack of it on the credit card I use is moot, and if I order a stack of books
from Amazon's website, ditto. So, why should whether or not my card is signed
on the back be an issue for a face-to-face merchant? Cate
Preventing credit card scams -- suggestion #11:
I just wanted to respond to your piece on not signing your credit cards, and
the credit cards' companies' advice that you should sign them. Per their policies,
this is correct, and I do sign my cards. However, I can tell you from personal
experience that writing "see I.D." on your card does work -- because
that's what my wife has done. As a result, she virtually always has her identification
verified when she uses her card. And I've never seen her be denied service because
her card was unsigned.
I don't believe that the credit card companies gave you any good reason why
not to do it this way -- per the newsletter, MasterCard said it's "not
a good idea" -- but not why it's not good; AmEx and Visa both basically
said it's not a good idea because it goes against their policy.
That's fine, but do policies never change? My personal opinion on this -- and, remember, I do currently sign my cards -- is that the credit card companies should just change their policy, and tell people to write "see i.d." rather than signing their name.
I think it would cut down on fraud,
and I really can't see a downside to it, except that it would involve a policy
change. Frankly, I believe that credit card fraud has risen significantly in
recent years, and that it's a problem which wasn't really anticipated when they
set the policy of signing your card immediately.
Anyway, thanks for your newsletter, you provide a good service!
Sincerely,
Ben
Click here for even more credit card fraud prevention suggestions.
