[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Obviously you have never heard of the ease with which someone can dip your check into a solution and erase all the writing, leaving the check intact.

Like you said, "Really, do some research." The above mainly pertains to outgoing checks stolen from mail boxes before being delivered. This is for people who have mail boxes in front of their house. I first heard about it about 25 years ago.

Or how easy it is to duplicate the check. Why do you think you can order new checks online using one of those check printing companies by providing your bank information, and someone else can't? Really,do some research.

In order for me to get new checks I have to send in a voided check. But assuming someone would do it online or otherwise, wouldn't they have to change the address? Otherwise, the checks would be delivered to me. What about my name? How could they be me without a driver's license? Would they get a fake driver's license with my name on it so they could identify themselves as me. A Florida license has to have a picture on it and is not easy to duplicate. If they are not 73 like me would they have to change the date of birth too? I have never heard of any warnings about this type of fraud. Do you have a link that explains it?

Anyway, my bank covers fraudulent use of checks to withdraw money from my checking account. This includes fraudulent use of a debit card too.

The fact of the matter is, no hacker has ever been able to get away with fraud on my cc accounts whether someone gave me free identify theft or not.

The point is: It could still happen somewhere down the road.

And in 50 years of using credit cards, I have not laid out one dime due to fraud. I still win, because in year 51 if someone cleans out your bank account, you're skewered. I will never be responsible for a dime of fraud on my cc.

You're not up on this stuff: My account, as I said, is protected against loss.

You haven't lost any money and I haven't lost any money. But it's not about us, it's about where the biggest risk is, statistically. And I believe the biggest risk is with credit cards. That's what has been grabbing all the headlines lately.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I don't know the process for Debit Cards in Florida.
However in Canada, we need a PIN number which provides an additional layer of security.

Bingo! Thank you very much. Even if I drop my (Florida) debit card and someone else picks it up, they won't have my PIN number.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Like you said, "Really, do some research." The above mainly pertains to outgoing checks stolen from mail boxes before being delivered. This is for people who have mail boxes in front of their house. I first heard about it about 25 years ago.



In order for me to get new checks I have to send in a voided check. But assuming someone would do it online or otherwise, wouldn't they have to change the address? Otherwise, the checks would be delivered to me. What about my name? How could they be me without a driver's license? Would they get a fake driver's license with my name on it so they could identify themselves as me. A Florida license has to have a picture on it and is not easy to duplicate. If they are not 73 like me would they have to change the date of birth too? I have never heard of any warnings about this type of fraud. Do you have a link that explains it?

Anyway, my bank covers fraudulent use of checks to withdraw money from my checking account. This includes fraudulent use of a debit card too.



The point is: It could still happen somewhere down the road.



You're not up on this stuff: My account, as I said, is protected against loss.

You haven't lost any money and I haven't lost any money. But it's not about us, it's about where the biggest risk is, statistically. And I believe the biggest risk is with credit cards. That's what has been grabbing all the headlines lately.

Since my first statement is true, your reasoning is flawed. If I have your check and the correct stuff to dip it in, I can send it voided into any check ordering company.

You put your checks out there every time you pay a bill by mail. So no, it does not pertain to only mailboxes located outside.

I'm sorry, but I question your statement about your bank. Theoretically, they are supposed to be liable for checks they cash with unauthorized signatures, but in reality, they'll cash anything that comes down the pike, and good luck getting the $ back. Same with someone cleaning out your account with a fraudulent debit card. My son and I fought with a bank in Michigan for six months to get a measly $200 back for him.

But you stick with your checks and I'll stick with my credit card. I'm not afraid. I know for sure I'm covered.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Since my first statement is true, your reasoning is flawed. If I have your check and the correct stuff to dip it in, I can send it voided into any check ordering company.



You put your checks out there every time you pay a bill by mail. So no, it does not pertain to only mailboxes located outside.



I'm sorry, but I question your statement about your bank. Theoretically, they are supposed to be liable for checks they cash with unauthorized signatures, but in reality, they'll cash anything that comes down the pike, and good luck getting the $ back. Same with someone cleaning out your account with a fraudulent debit card. My son and I fought with a bank in Michigan for six months to get a measly $200 back for him.



But you stick with your checks and I'll stick with my credit card. I'm not afraid. I know for sure I'm covered.

Your analysis and statements are very accurate. Better to use a cc than a debit card.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by dbussone

Your analysis and statements are very accurate. Better to use a cc than a debit card.

Or checks!

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

If credit cards are so care free, how come there are so many hacker stories in the news, like J.C. Penny etc.. J.C. Penny is having a tough time lately because of the sensitive information that was lost.

When something is "new" and better, like new cards, isn't it just a matter of time before crooks figure out how to tap into it?

P.S. The cash in my wallet works perfectly every time and I don't have to check my email after spending. And there's no danger of carrying a lot of cash. Whenever I purchase a big item, which is rare, I pay by check.

Yes, credit cards are very carefree -- much more carefree than cash, actually. When Target or Penneys or anyone else is hacked, an individual is perfectly safe because the credit card company does not hold you responsible.

There will always be someone who looks to build a better mousetrap. Something new comes out and the bad guys are immediately working on how to hack, copy or whatever it might be. The cash in your wallet could be counterfeit. Try to pass a bad bill in a bank or use a bill unknowingly and consider your money gone. It is confiscated and the bank or store doesn't give you a new one!

If you don't think there is any danger in carrying cash, you must live in a cocoon. You can lose cash, be robbed, be pickpocketed, be given wrong change, misplace bills. I could go on and on. There is no question that a credit card is much safer than cash. What do you use when you need two sources of identification? Lastly, if you don't have a credit card, there are many things you can't do such as rent a car.

Whether you get your credit card statement in the mail or online, it is a bonus. It helps you keep track of your spending, warranty dates for a purchase, and many different sources for income tax.

We are approaching 2015 and technology is at your feet.
Use it!

[Barefoot]

ORIGINAL POST
I'm I the only one that afraid to use my credit card at gas stations? Reluctant to use it anywhere due to the chance of skimmers and low life employee stealing my information. Just heard on the news this morning skimmers found in lake country. I would think the villages would be gold mine for this illegal activity?

In don't understand why the industry don't go to the European style credit card system that's nearly skim proof. IMO cost is no excuse not to upgrade from this insecure system of the 20 century?

real pain to fill up with cash in this plastic world. I see the day cash will be obsolete. IMO the credit industry or the government should be held responsible for credit card fraud when they won't update unsecured system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I find this subject very interesting. We do have chip technology on credit cards in Canada, but I haven't seen chip technology in The Villages yet.
I have had fraudulent charges on my credit card statement (due to online shopping). However I've found that a call to the Fraud Department at Visa easily gets fraudulent charges reversed.

I just googled the subject of "fear of new technology" and learned a new concept. I wonder if there could be a little bit of neophobia going on here, especially if people are using cash rather than credit cards. I know that I personally suffer from neophobia as far as Facebook is concerned - I really dislike it.

Disclaimer .... These are not my words or thoughts, but info copied from google .......

In psychology, neophobia is defined as the persistent and abnormal fear of anything new. In its milder form, it can manifest as the unwillingness to try new things or break from routine. Mild manifestations are often present in elderly people (who often cope using long established habits and don't want to learn "new tricks").

Neophobia could also be fear of losing what you have. e.g.: You are content with your life and you fear that if you change anything you might never be happy again. This is sometimes caused by earlier experiences of being emotionally hurt.

Robert Anton Wilson theorized, in his book Prometheus Rising, that neophobia is the reason human culture and ideas do not advance as quickly as our technology. His model includes an idea from Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, which is that new ideas, however well-proven and evident, are implemented only when the generations who consider them 'new' die and are replaced by generations who consider the ideas accepted and old.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

ORIGINAL POST
I'm I the only one that afraid to use my credit card at gas stations? Reluctant to use it anywhere due to the chance of skimmers and low life employee stealing my information. Just heard on the news this morning skimmers found in lake country. I would think the villages would be gold mine for this illegal activity?

In don't understand why the industry don't go to the European style credit card system that's nearly skim proof. IMO cost is no excuse not to upgrade from this insecure system of the 20 century?

real pain to fill up with cash in this plastic world. I see the day cash will be obsolete. IMO the credit industry or the government should be held responsible for credit card fraud when they won't update unsecured system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I find this subject very interesting. We do have chip technology on credit cards in Canada, but I haven't seen chip technology in The Villages yet.
I have had fraudulent charges on my credit card statement (due to online shopping). However I've found that a call to the Fraud Department at Visa easily gets fraudulent charges reversed.

I just googled the subject of "fear of new technology" and learned a new concept. I wonder if there could be a little bit of neophobia going on here, especially if people are using cash rather than credit cards. I know that I personally suffer from neophobia as far as Facebook is concerned - I really dislike it.

Disclaimer .... These are not my words or thoughts, but info copied from google .......

In psychology, neophobia is defined as the persistent and abnormal fear of anything new. In its milder form, it can manifest as the unwillingness to try new things or break from routine. Mild manifestations are often present in elderly people (who often cope using long established habits and don't want to learn "new tricks").

Neophobia could also be fear of losing what you have. e.g.: You are content with your life and you fear that if you change anything you might never be happy again. This is sometimes caused by earlier experiences of being emotionally hurt.

Robert Anton Wilson theorized, in his book Prometheus Rising, that neophobia is the reason human culture and ideas do not advance as quickly as our technology. His model includes an idea from Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, which is that new ideas, however well-proven and evident, are implemented only when the generations who consider them 'new' die and are replaced by generations who consider the ideas accepted and old.

Interesting. I learned something new today!

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Since my first statement is true, your reasoning is flawed. If I have your check and the correct stuff to dip it in, I can send it voided into any check ordering company.

You can dip it all you want but my name and address is printed on every check and it won't come off. The checks will be sent to my address.

You put your checks out there every time you pay a bill by mail. So no, it does not pertain to only mailboxes located outside.

I no longer pay bills by mail, bills are paid by automatic deduction.

I'm sorry, but I question your statement about your bank. Theoretically, they are supposed to be liable for checks they cash with unauthorized signatures, but in reality, they'll cash anything that comes down the pike, and good luck getting the $ back. Same with someone cleaning out your account with a fraudulent debit card. My son and I fought with a bank in Michigan for six months to get a measly $200 back for him.

According to statistics, a lot of fraud or misuse of debit cards and checks are done by family members. That could be why your bank gave you a hard time. I don't have that problem.

I think it's pretty reckless to say that my bank will "cash anything that comes down the pike." You have no way of knowing that.

As far as cleaning out my account with a fraudulent debit card: How would they get my PIN number?

But you stick with your checks and I'll stick with my credit card. I'm not afraid. I know for sure I'm covered.

I know for sure I'm covered too.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Yes, credit cards are very carefree -- much more carefree than cash, actually. When Target or Penneys or anyone else is hacked, an individual is perfectly safe because the credit card company does not hold you responsible.

Of course, credit cards are "carefree" until something bad happens. The vast majority of credit card users don't have their accounts blocked. Many have multiple cards and use cards for every purchase they make. More activity means more exposure to having one's identity stolen.

There will always be someone who looks to build a better mousetrap. Something new comes out and the bad guys are immediately working on how to hack, copy or whatever it might be.

Exactly, I couldn't have said it better myself.

The cash in your wallet could be counterfeit. Try to pass a bad bill in a bank or use a bill unknowingly and consider your money gone. It is confiscated and the bank or store doesn't give you a new one!

Absolutely. But guess what. It has never happened to me or anyone I know. I might have a better chance of being hit by lightening. I actually knew someone who was hit by lightening. The biggest bills I carry are 20s and it's a risk I'm willing to take. If I lose twenty dollars it's not the end of the world and it's better than having my identity stolen.

If you don't think there is any danger in carrying cash, you must live in a cocoon. You can lose cash, be robbed, be pickpocketed, be given wrong change, misplace bills. I could go on and on.

You could go on and on with your "cocoon" stories but none of the above has ever happened to me. (I always check my receipt and count my change before I leave the store.)

There is no question that a credit card is much safer than cash. What do you use when you need two sources of identification? Lastly, if you don't have a credit card, there are many things you can't do such as rent a car.

Credit cards may be safer than cash until something happens to the vast majority of people who don't have their accounts blocked.

Whether you get your credit card statement in the mail or online, it is a bonus. It helps you keep track of your spending, warranty dates for a purchase, and many different sources for income tax.

My spending is easy to keep track of because I don't have the need to do a lot of spending. I bought a new car a couple of years ago. That's not hard to keep track of. And I never have enough bills to take itemized deductions on my income tax. But, anyway, I know how to save receipts. Another thing is this: When it comes to paying cash for everyday items like groceries, gas or clothing etc., I don't want to keep track of it because I don't need to budget. Sure, I look for bargains like everyone else but I just don't need to worry about budgeting. Budgeting would take the fun out of spending.

We are approaching 2015 and technology is at your feet.
Use it!

Yes, and I use technology when I see an advantage. In the past year I set up a new brokerage account for online trading.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

ORIGINAL POST
I'm I the only one that afraid to use my credit card at gas stations? Reluctant to use it anywhere due to the chance of skimmers and low life employee stealing my information. Just heard on the news this morning skimmers found in lake country. I would think the villages would be gold mine for this illegal activity?

In don't understand why the industry don't go to the European style credit card system that's nearly skim proof. IMO cost is no excuse not to upgrade from this insecure system of the 20 century?

real pain to fill up with cash in this plastic world. I see the day cash will be obsolete. IMO the credit industry or the government should be held responsible for credit card fraud when they won't update unsecured system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I find this subject very interesting. We do have chip technology on credit cards in Canada, but I haven't seen chip technology in The Villages yet.
I have had fraudulent charges on my credit card statement (due to online shopping). However I've found that a call to the Fraud Department at Visa easily gets fraudulent charges reversed.

I just googled the subject of "fear of new technology" and learned a new concept. I wonder if there could be a little bit of neophobia going on here, especially if people are using cash rather than credit cards. I know that I personally suffer from neophobia as far as Facebook is concerned - I really dislike it.

Disclaimer .... These are not my words or thoughts, but info copied from google .......

In psychology, neophobia is defined as the persistent and abnormal fear of anything new. In its milder form, it can manifest as the unwillingness to try new things or break from routine. Mild manifestations are often present in elderly people (who often cope using long established habits and don't want to learn "new tricks").

Neophobia could also be fear of losing what you have. e.g.: You are content with your life and you fear that if you change anything you might never be happy again. This is sometimes caused by earlier experiences of being emotionally hurt.

Robert Anton Wilson theorized, in his book Prometheus Rising, that neophobia is the reason human culture and ideas do not advance as quickly as our technology. His model includes an idea from Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, which is that new ideas, however well-proven and evident, are implemented only when the generations who consider them 'new' die and are replaced by generations who consider the ideas accepted and old.

Last year there were 20 identity thefts per minute. Thanks mainly to credit card technology.

And less people today are using credit cards (only 43%) whether it be because of budgeting problems or fear of identity theft. It makes no difference what the reason is, it's a general dissatisfaction with credit cards.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Last year there were 20 identity thefts per minute. Thanks mainly to credit card technology.

And less people today are using credit cards (only 43%) whether it be because of budgeting problems or fear of identity theft. It makes no difference what the reason is, it's a general dissatisfaction with credit cards.

Back to the main subject: If credit cards are so great, why are less people using them today than in the past?

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

And less people today are using credit cards (only 43%) whether it be because of budgeting problems or fear of identity theft.

According to Gallup.com/poll, 71% of people in the USA have credit cards. And most people have more than one credit card.

I'm done with this thread.