Destroy your receipts!

[Debbie in Townsville]

Normally when we go to Disney - we charge back to our hotel room and then pay when we check out. On our last trip, we stayed at the Dolphin, so we used our credit card to pay for meals and purchases in the parks. I've just been going through our receipts and MOST of them have the COMPLETE account number AND expiration date on them! I just wanted to warn people that these receipts should be destroyed by shredding them. On our next trip I will be more careful that I make sure I don't leave them lying around the hotel room or just toss them into the garbage without tearing them up.

 

[Humpbacks1962]

They're still doing that? Oh my!

Good advice, especially when years ago I opened my Visa bill to find out someone spent over $2,500 worth of car stereo equipment getting my account information from a sales receipt that had been staples to a bag and fell off!

Just cut up those receipts and throw the account information in different receptacles or carry a very black, permanent marker and cross out the information on both sides of the receipt before you throw it away.

Wanda

 

[mhopset]

Just to let everybody know. The government passed a bill last year for the western states. to
have Pantranucation on all credit card terminals. What this means is that credit card terminals
will now no longer print the entire credit card number on the receipt. I believe everything will need to be updated by the year 2005. I know this does not help matters now, but if you call your credit card company and dispute the charges it will then go to the chargeback department and they will noticy the merchant to get copies of signatures. Most of the time it will be in your favor, although you may be responsible for the first $50.00. (I have no idea why though). Most larger merchants now have cameras installed at check outs to film credit card transactions (atm machines too). The film will also be requested by your credit card company. Always make sure you have signed the back of your card, which is one way to protect yourself. I know not to many merchants look at the back, but on the other hand most Disney merchants will. Hope this helps

 

[Mic]

Since any one of my 4 children would lose their head if it wasn't attached, I always decline the charging to the room key privilege while at WDW, and use my cc for sit-down meals only, and a stop at DD to get all souveniers at once. We take minimal cash into the parks for counter service or snacks, because I, too, noticed the full account number on a receipt at WDW 18 months ago. My husband is so careful with his cc use that he intentionally does not sign the back of his credit card, so the clerk WILL ask to see ID. He is carded about half the time, and always thanks the clerk for correctly doing her/his job!

 

[skyhog]

Originally posted by Mic
Since any one of my 4 children would lose their head if it wasn't attached, I always decline the charging to the room key privilege while at WDW, and use my cc for sit-down meals only, and a stop at DD to get all souveniers at once. We take minimal cash into the parks for counter service or snacks, because I, too, noticed the full account number on a receipt at WDW 18 months ago. My husband is so careful with his cc use that he intentionally does not sign the back of his credit card, so the clerk WILL ask to see ID. He is carded about half the time, and always thanks the clerk for correctly doing her/his job!

Not all room cards have to have charge priviledges FYI... you decide at check-in who can and who can't

 

[hulabird]

Credit card companies totally aggrivate me! Do you ever notice on your statements how many
times your credit card # is on there? I have to shred every little piece of it to get rid of that!
Why do they need it everywhere? Never throw out your old statements without shredding them completely!

Hulabird

ONLY 15 more days to WDW!!!!!!

 

[Mary Ellen]

Originally posted by Mic
My husband is so careful with his cc use that he intentionally does not sign the back of his credit card, so the clerk WILL ask to see ID.

I hope that he writes something (such as 'see photo ID') where his signature should be, not just leave it blank. Otherwise a thief could sign your husband's name AND then the signatures would, of course, match. It's amazing how many people do this thinking they are protecting themselves, but they are really making things easier for a thief.

We sign our cards but use permanent ink, such as a fine-line 'Sharpie' pen.

 

[tink2dw]

I am so glad we always choose Travelers Checks!!

 

[TinkerbellRules]

I always save all my receipts and shred them along with all those stupids CC apps I get. Also, you must sign your CC or it isn't valid. Leaving it blank is just asking for problems (just like the other poster stated). Course, 99% of the clerks don't check anyway (not including WDW in that statement). I signed my name Santa Claus on a slip once and it wasn't caught. I did have a clerk ask for my ID when I used the CC a week ago. That surprised me, but I didn't complain.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just another voice encouring people to sign the back of the credit card. Like others mentioned, if it is left blank, it just makes a thief's job that much easier. He/She doesn't even have to try to match the signature on the card, since it's his/her signature on your card.
If you don't want to sign it, write "please check ID" or something similar in that space to protect your card.
The little "statement of terms" booklets that credit card companies send out with the card indicate that the card is not valid until signed.

 

[kityrussell]

I have "Check ID" on the back of all my credit cards and you would be shocked how many times clerks DON'T ask for it. In fact it always takes me by surprise when they do. But you do what you can, my husband and I have a shredder at home as well.

 

[NancyIL]

More and more places allow you to swipe your credit card without another human ever seeing it - such as at gas stations (pay at the pump) and grocery stores. It seems to me it would be very easy for stolen or counterfeit cards to be used in those places.

After I've reconciled my credit card statement, I go through the receipts with a black permanent marker and cross out the cc#. Then the charge slips go through the shredder.

 

[dbltrbl]

This is good advice, people often forget how easily credit card fraud can occur. Be sure to remember this at home also.
I always take an envelope to put ALL our reciepts in and lock it in the safe. Travelling from Canada, we need to keep receipts to clear Customs when we return home. I also find it helpful to compare what we ACTUALLY spend and what we had BUDGETED. And use those $$ figures to help plan the next trip.

 

[robinb]

Hmmm ...

I see that a lot of people go to a lot of trouble to protect your credit card numbers. For those of us who are not so detailed, remember that you are only legally liable for the first $50 that a CC thief charges to your account and no charges at all after you have reported the card or number taken. Many companies will not even ask you to pay the first $50. Having your card replaced is a pain. I've done it. But not as much trouble, IMO, as marking and/or shreading every little piece of paper .

 

[TinkerbellRules]

**For those of us who are not so detailed, remember that you are only legally liable for the first $50 that a CC thief charges to your account and no charges at all after you have reported the card or number taken. **

But I sure don't want someone to have my CC number or have to pay $50! People are "stealing" more than CC #, they are stealing "identities" of others (which is why I refuse to have my SS# on my driver license or checks). I had the fraud dept of a CC company (I no longer used, but forgot to close the acct. That's important as well) call me and wanted to know if I tried to activate my card. I asked "what card". Seems someone changed the address on MY CC to another address WITHOUT asking for a security pass. I was EXTREMELY upset with this after finding out my card was sent to another person with my name (which isn't that common)!! I promptly had them close the account and asked for a supervisor. They claimed a "computer" did it. I knew better. I ordered a credit report as well to see it. You really must be careful these days, but it's your choice. I don't think it's worth it.

 

[Muushka]

And even though we are legally liable for only the first $50.00, we, the consumer will ultimately pay for credit card theft. Those companies ALWAYS pass it on to the consumer.

Identity theft is what really scares us.

About once a month we have a shredding party in our house.

 

[OrlandoPlanner]

If you have a Bank of America credit card or debit card, you can have your photo put on the front of the card for free and your signature is imbedded on the front of the card as well.

 

[SheDaisy0088]

I used to cashier at my old job. You would be suprised how many people get offended when you ask for their id!! I had people tell me that they signed the back of the card and that should be enough!! Excuse me? I am only doing it to protect you! The biggest complaints were with AMEX!! We were required to check id on everyone using them!! Sometimes that people were the biggest complainers!! Ok, let me get this straight. I am trying to protect you from fraud and you are yelling at me? I think that is the biggest reason that cashiers don't ask for id!!

BTW, it is a major electronics furnishing store. Someone could steal a credit card and have a wonderful time furnishing their home with your card there!! So the next time a cashier asks you for id keep in mind they are only doing it to protect you the consumer!!

Please sign the back of you card. We were not allowed to take any cards that were not signed!!

 

[TinkerbellRules]

SheDaisy: You'd like me as a customer because I'd THANK YOU for checking! I used to work as a cashier as well and I know what you're talking about. I refused to accept an unsigned card (as per Mastercards instructions) and the customer got mad. He made some excuse "well, someone could steal my card and use it, blah, blah" I said "yes, someone could steal it, sign it and the signature would match!" He never got it, but his wife gave me her SIGNED card. Stupid people.

 

[fholdred]

Instead of signing the back. I have written please Check picture I.D. I too always thank folks for checking my I.D.

Faith