Switching to Cash

[TrudyM]

I had my credit card number stolen the day before we were flying here so that one was cancelled and we wouldn't be home to sign for a replacement. Now all cards used at Target since the day after Thanksgiving through the 15th of Dec have had their numbers and all info from the mag strips stolen so I can't use my back up card either. They are going to deny all but the charges for our rental car. What's left Cash. Living for 10 weeks with only cash should be a real challenge.
I use to be able to get a prepaid card with $500 on it at Bank of America to use when on vacation or the like but they don't do that anymore and I was told the fee to buy a prepaid is very high from outlets that sell them, so cash it is.

Anyone else use their credit card at Target lately. Chase said all credit card info from any card swiped at a store was stolen and that even if I haven't seen any bogus charges yet it is only a matter of time and they suggested freezing the card.

[2BNTV]

Thanks for the heads up, as I will look closely at my charges, when I get my Target bill. I'll aslo have to check to see if I can view my staement online, to be proactive.

My CC, (not Target), had a charge for $99 on it and my CC company cancelled my card immediately. They were on top of it. Unbeknownst to me, I thought it funny, when I swiped my card shortly after they cancelled it, at Publix and it didn't work. My first thought was their machine was having problems or the magnetic swipe was defective. I found out the next day when I called them.

There seems to be alot of CC fraud going around these days. I think one should be circumspect, especially at the gas pumps as I think that was how my info was comprimized. Fortunately, the CC company waived the $99 charge and issued me a new card. Great work by them but inconvienient for me, as I have only one CC. they sent the new one via fed-Ex so i had the next business day at their cost.

Hopefully, they will do the same for you and you won't have to carry a lot of cash with you. :smiley:

[l2ridehd]

Most card companies can overnight a new card to any place you want. I had a card compromised when on travel, once in the UK and once in another US city and had a new card the next day sent to my hotel.

[CFrance]

We had a replacement American Express card with a new number mailed to us in Paris from the States. Who is telling you you have to sign for a new card? We've also done it over the phone with our Visa when it was compromised a couple of years ago.

We used our Visa in Target on 12/13, which is within the time frame of the theft, but nothing untoward has shown up on the bill yet. I check it every day.

If you don't want to carry cash, go to Publix and buy some $100 Visa or Amex gift cards and use those.

[sandybill2]

We are credit people---hardly ever use cash. I flew to Va Thursday---tried to use my Master Card at Kroger---denied--- My husband still in The Villages got a message on cell phone that our card was being used fraudulently. I used my Discover without problem but when I went on computer---had an email from them that it might have been used fraudulently. Called both companies----Discover confirmed they basically were looking at everyone's charges to see if anything was amiss. Have traveled from Fl to Va numerous times----one card in Fl being used---me in Va using same card -- never questioned. Guess this Target issue really put them all on alert. I did not shop Target during that time frame.

[asianthree]

we used AE, Visa and Debit at target during the dates that target has posted...bank not worried about debit because a pin number needs to be used, american express is geared up for this and on high alert, checking daily my accounts on line...all my cards are good, and if something should happen to one a card will be overnighted.. i have to say not going to lose sleep over it

[justjim]

Your credit card can be compromised just about anytime and anyplace. No need to get paranoid about it. Your credit card company will reimburse your account for any charges that are not yours and issue you another credit card. Not really a big deal.

This is not the same as stealing your personal identity.

[janmcn]

Just heard on the news that JP Morgan is putting a $300.00 limit on it's credit cards that are used at Target.

[murray607]

This, apparently is affecting cards in Canada too. My son had a call yesterday from his bank to say he had to replace his debit card as it "has possibly been comprimised". He had used it at Target in Edmonton Alberta on December 11th.

[rubicon]

Its time for the credit card companies to come up with idea if they want to maintain their growth. Frankly I am using cash more and more

[gustavo]

Its time for the credit card companies to come up with idea if they want to maintain their growth. Frankly I am using cash more and more

I'm just the opposite. $1600 in Southwest airline points with a Soutwest Visa card signup bonus. I get 3% off gas on Amex, 2% off Amazon purchases on Amazon Visa, 1.5% off everything on Capital One plus a $100 bonus for using it, and 5% off all purchases with a Target CC. I hardly ever use cash even for a dollar menu purchase, and I don't have to do anything out of my way to get the discounts. CCs rule.

[Lark7]

My wife used the AMEX several times at Target. Called the representative yesterday and the new card will be here on Monday.

[luvmagic2]

Some inconvenience but you are not liable for a penny. All fraudulent charges are reversed.....

[justjim]

Its time for the credit card companies to come up with idea if they want to maintain their growth. Frankly I am using cash more and more

Flashing a wad of cash around can be "scouted" by a potential armed robber and you could be in serious danger. You want to be careful when using cash.

On the other hand, the worst that can happen when using a credit card is a bit of inconvenience and overall a compromised credit card is rare. Plastic is still the way to go IMHO.

[manaboutown]

I use several credit cards. It seems about one a year gets compromised. Almost always the issuers catch it.

[swimdawg]

I'm just the opposite. $1600 in Southwest airline points with a Soutwest Visa card signup bonus. I get 3% off gas on Amex, 2% off Amazon purchases on Amazon Visa, 1.5% off everything on Capital One plus a $100 bonus for using it, and 5% off all purchases with a Target CC. I hardly ever use cash even for a dollar menu purchase, and I don't have to do anything out of my way to get the discounts. CCs rule.

I'm with you. I use my CC for everything.....even at The Dollar Store! I have had so many free flights ( yes, Southwest) and other gift certificates. I just switched to a JetBlue CC to get more free flights. Life is good.

BTW, I check ALL my bank and CC accounts every morning of the year. And the key is to pay off your CC accounts every month. Never ever carry over balances. I was taught at an early age: If you can't afford to pay it this month, how do you think you're going to afford to pay it off next month?