Yesterday afternoon, I received a phone call from my credit card company. I was a little bit irritated about the call as I thought they were questioning a plane ticket that I bought online earlier in the day. This company is ultra protective of my credit and calls me on just about every larger charge I make. As it turned out, it was a good thing they hover like they do. While I was home in California purchasing a plane ticket, someone was in New Jersey trying to charge hundreds of dollars on my credit card number at a clothing store. Thankfully, the charges were declined and I was called immediately.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time my number has been stolen. The phone representative was very kind and helpful, but I knew what was coming…my credit card was canceled and a new one was reissued to me.
Again, even though I’m glad it was taken care of for me, the canceling of my credit card is a huge inconvenience. Not only do I have to figure out and redo all my automatic payments that have been set up, I also have only $2.00 in my wallet. In order to earn air miles, I use that card for EVERYTHING so rarely pay cash and therefore never have it on me. When the rep told me the new card wouldn’t arrive for another seven or so days I panicked and quickly ran through my “to do list” for the week. “Please!?!?!” I cried and asked if it could be sent any quicker. Luckily, she offered to send it express so it should be here by Wednesday or Thursday.
Other than using it all the time, I’m quite careful with the card. Even so, there are those transactions, like at restaurants, when the card is out of my possession for a time. I guess it only takes a few seconds to write the number down and then eventually turn it into a new card. Pretty much everyone I know has been the victim of some sort of credit card fraud in the last few years. It’s become the norm these days. But still, there’s something disconcerting about it happening.
I would have had exactly $0 dollars. I have become TERRIBLE at having cash on me ever. Sucks that happened, but glad they caught it!
ReplyDeleteI was lucky to have $2.00. The kids' book orders usually keep me in cash, but I haven't done one yet this year.
DeleteI think until they get to the point where they randomize a #PIN per transaction, use of the cards is somewhat dicey. Just think how many times you give the number to other people.
ReplyDeleteCan you not go old style and go to the bank for cash.
I wonder why the credit companies haven't gone to a pin by now, just because of all the fraud. I guess it's no skin off their nose - when they (or the real customer) don't pay, it's the retailer who is left holding the bill.
DeleteYes, I could go to the bank because as we've previously established, I'm old. ;) Seriously though, I'm not good when I have cash on me. I tend to spend it faster and on random things when I carry it. For many the credit card is the root of all evil, but I seem to monitor my $$ better with it...plus the eventual free flight is a perk.
Actually studies lean the other way. If you have the CC you impulse buy far more.
DeleteOther studies say each of us has a sweet number for cash in out wallet. For chicks in her 20's it tends to be twice/three times a cab fare. Guys tend to less. Mothers have a stash for a weeks shopping or/and GP fees and drugs.
It's the safety thing.
I suppose though the phones are moving into that region. Where a gal in her glad-rags hadn't room for a pocketbook she needed a man she really trusted with big pockets. Then she had her CC and could slip it into her panty. Nowadays having a well designed phone is I suppose reverting back to an age of Lizzy Bennett. And retailers are doing quite well ta very much. Actually I wonder if they will feel so happy when the phone thing shakes itself out. We really think of our phones as ours in a way we never thought of the CC. That mind tweak always had it belonging to the CC company.
Ha ha! Love Lizzy Bennet and love that you called her Lizzy! :)
DeleteI missed your birthday! I am a Virgo! ARe you on the cusp or are you a Libra? I hope you had a fantastic birthday!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so sorry about your credit card--that's happened to me and I DIDNT have cash.
I am right on the cusp. Some things I've read have me as a virgo, while others have me as a libra. I'm not at all knowledgeable about astrology, but from the descriptions I've seen I'm DEFINITELY a libra and not even close to a virgo. :)
DeleteI did have a very nice birthday. I hope you did as well.
Yikes! That has happened to me two times...once while in L.A. working on my mom's home...and I was declined at Walmart...really felt liek a loser there. The worst part is having to memorize the number again...because I too use my card for everything just for the airline miles :)
ReplyDeleteHope your card arrives soon!
Happy Monday!
Ugh! Yes, thinking about all the things that have autopay, well I can't even think about them because I can't remember all of them. The card is certainly convenient and the miles are nice. Still planning a trip abroad over spring break so I don't want miss out on collecting the miles.
DeleteHave you ever tried a pottery class?
ReplyDeleteI haven't. I haven't ventured too much away from paper. Are you enjoying your class?
DeleteI was out with the dog the other day when a plane brought back your comment about air-miles.
ReplyDeleteThose things were dropped for the most part in the 80's over this side. In general, flights are relatively cheap. But mostly they were seen as a bit of a con since usage charges by the banks of the CC's meant you were paying through the nose and the miles were nothing but a sweetener on a nasty little pill.
I'd say most people over 30 use the CC's as emergency only 'or' make certain that the banks are basically paying you for using them by clearing every darn penny before fees and charges kick in.
Running out the door for my next wave of parent/teacher conferences. Will reply for real after work, when I can breathe again. :)
DeleteYah, the credit cards can create bigger problems with all the interest/fees that can be charged. If they aren't paid off in full, the miles are certainly not worth it. After years of paying only the CC interest after college I vowed to pay them off each month when I bought my house. Some months suck, but because of that the points I've earned have been truly free. In fact, I'm working on taking my mom to Portugal next spring and will have enough points to cover both of our flights. It's taken forever to build up the points, but at least it's something.
DeleteIt is disconcerting and it has also happened to me.
ReplyDelete