Whether or not we pay for purchases by credit cards or cash, we may be vulnerable to thieves and scams. I plan on scrutinizing my credit card bills more often and shredding my paperwork. Thanks for the reminders.

Thank You :bigbow: and Thank you OP
It is not yet Feb.

I hate to break it to you but your name address account number pin credit limit and sometimes even your email is encoded in the strip on the card.

"any charge under $20 is a loss"... explain that one.

You missed my whole point using your credit card for small purchases produces a loss or break even transaction for the business owner.The credit card company wins their getting a percentage plus a transaction fee.Business owner loses anywhere from 2% to 4% plus the fee ..Think before you swipe

On gift cards?

Some businesses post that they restrict credit card use to purchases above a certain amount. Most others figure the credit card transaction fee into their cost of doing business. Cash buyers pay this in the price of the item also.

We do the same and really think it is advertising for crooks that see you have cash in your possession. Do not think they are not out there looking for easy money.

:agree:

Twice we've had our card number used fraudulently and in both cases the credit card company knew before we did. The first time in 2011 someone received a $1000 cash advance at a Walmart store in North Carolina using my Walmart/Discover Card. The second time was this past November with our Master Card someone charged $650 in merchandise at a Target store in New York.

In both cases we received an electronic phone call the same day from the credit card company asking if we had made the charges. In each case the credit card company sent me a form in which we confirmed in writing that it wasn't us and the charges were deleted from our bill.

As far as a retailer losing charges that are less than $20, a retailer is liable for any amount. I had a business for 10 years and anytime a customer disputes a charge you receive notice and have 7 days to reply. Since my business was mail order and internet only we lost every dispute, sometimes they were in the hundreds of dollars.

I feel sorry for the op's misfortune but, gee, I would not forget to bring cash any more than I would forget to wear shoes. (No shoes, no service.)

But I know it can happen. I saw a man checking out groceries at publix and suddenly realized he forgot to bring his wallet.

The question is: Why blame the restaurant?

I think the bank charges a fee to the business every time a card is used. All these fees add up and becomes an overhead expense that all customers pay, even those who pay cash. We all get to pay a little more so someone can get points.

He is the one who used Beef O Bradys name...Not me. He could have simply said had credit card problems without mentioning their name since he did not who was the blame. So not shooting any messenger like he did.
I understand his point but the name reference was not a valid point.

And now the slam to Beef's is on the Internet forever.

:agree: except that we prefer the cash back option.