Quote from Pekelo:
Yeah, but did you forget the names??? 
Seriously, what the banks tell you is good for something, but they will not tell you that simply there is no way you could protect a CC, if you actually intend to use it.
Right now I have access to 2-3 cards per day including everything, even ADDRESS. And I am not even in retail...
Annual credit report check: It is only good for checking who else is checking your report. Let's say if there is a collection agency, you might want to ask them... Otherwise once per year is just too rare occasion to check fraudulent activity...
Monthly statements: Much better. Most card have online access nowadays, so if you care, you can check your activity EVERYDAY, takes only a minute, and much faster to catch unathorized activity.
Changing numbers: It probably feels good for you, but I don't see the protection value. Your data can be compromised right after the change, so what did you achieve by changing??
Look, banks advise you this shit, because they don't want to tell you that your data is in god's hands and please cross your fingers. Credit cards are such a huge business anyway, that even with fraud it is a big moneymaker for them, so they just cover you for the losses...
Pekelo,
As you already knew from an earlier pm...
My credit card issurer advised (recommendation) this stuff.
* Don't let your credit card go out of your eye site too long et cetera.
However, as I mentioned earlier...
It's a two fold problem.
* Carelessness of the person handling the card and scrupulous eyes of the patrons or those walking by.
If I see other patrons at the counter while my credit card info or any other private info is being processed...
I have the right to be there to ensure the saftety of my info especially when there's others (patrons) standing right there.
If someone feels insulted I get up out of my seat as they are processing my info...
That person must
already be furious with the other patrons already standing there in line.
Surely I can't be the only trader at ET that pays for things at the payment counter.
Have you ever gone to the front counter to pay a bill at a restuarant???
Do you consider it to be
stalking when you did it (sarcasm not aimed at you)???
If you don't pay at the counter and trust those handling your credit card out of your view but in the view of other patrons...
Do you feel safe with that???
I don't.
In the past...I did and never gave it a second thought until those two restaurant fraud cases involving my credit card.
All I know is this...I no longer have any problems.
That's what is important.
Besides, I'm not being rude...I would rather lister to my credit card issurer about protecting myself in comparison to the comments of those that have never been ripped off involving a restaurant.
As the pm to you said...
The protection isn't immediately...its down the road.
Credit Card numbers are
resold.
That's a fact and a resold credit card number that has been changed...its useless to the thief.
Anything I've stated to you here or via pm can easily be verified by talking to your credit card issurer.
However, that's not the real issue.
The real issue is do these recommendations help???
In my case...so far...it does.
Have I ever seen my credit card placed on a counter in the full view of other patrons standing at the counter?
A few times and I politely picked up my credit card until the cash register person was finish with their conversation with the other person.
No rude remarks...no stare downs...I then hand my credit card back to the cash register person when they are finish doing whatever it is they are doing.
They ring my bill up with the nice tip I've included and I walk away with some assurance knowing that only
one person has seen my numbers.
It's much better than sitting at my seat waiting for the waitress/waiter to bring back my card.
Those that consider standing in a line at a payment counter as stalking...
Their kidding themselves especially when I've never met a person that has never gone to a front counter to pay a bill at a restaurant...
Cheap place or expensive place.
The most appropriate time to get out of your seat to pay your bill...its when your done eating, done with the convesations and when the waitress/waiter brings the bill.
Nobody ever said its perfect solution and it only takes a few minutes of my time (after the meal...after the conversations).
Yet, if someone wants your card number, they can steal it other ways.
I'm saying this...
Don't make it easy for them.
Here's something interesting.
Yep, some card companies now offer biometric credit cards to be used at places (stores) that offer biometric payment systerms...
Example...fingerprint scanning.
Call Citibank if you don't believe me.
What about laptops???
Anybody have one of the latest laptops that has biometric protection...
Fingerprinting scanning.
http://laptopmag.com/Features/Real-Notebook-Security.htm?Page=3
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/security/fingerprintreader.html
My neighbor does only because he handles confidential information that's work related.
Simple, analogy...
You get punch a few times...
You enventually learn how to duck or not get into a fight.
In my case, since I can't avoid restaurants...I choose not to make it easy to get hit again.
Mark
