The Vent and Rant Thread

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Often!?! Ugh! This was a first for me... I really hope this doesn't become a repeat thing.

Regions bank told me that it is common after using my debit card overseas. And if I run it as debit here in the US. They said it is safer to run it as credit.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Regions bank told me that it is common after using my debit card overseas. And if I run it as debit here in the US. They said it is safer to run it as credit.

Ah. I see.
I always run it as credit (to avoid any surprise debit fees). I'm thinking someone had one of those quick swipe skimming devices. I just don't know where, as I usually don't let the card out of my sight, and its been a while since I used it at a restaurant.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Regions bank told me that it is common after using my debit card overseas.

'Overseas' where? When I make a card purchase with a US merchant, my local bank shuts off my card until I verify that it was indeed me who made the purchase. The banks here say that credit card theft is 'common after using the card overseas.'

I think we are both being given a ration of it by our banks. Credit card fraud and theft is rampant all over the world. It's just as bad in New York and Chicago as it is in Paris, Singapore, or Tokyo.

Japan sells very effective anti-skimming cards to carry in our wallets to guard against the hand-held readers used in many areas. The ones that work block the signal from the credit and 'smart' cards. Of course, this doesn't stop the miss-use of cards by merchants, or fake card readers attached to street-side ATMs.


Stitchawl

[SneakySnake]

I don't want a 'tap and go' card now There are folks out there that scan for the beeps and then charge your card as they pass your pocket or bag! bluddy robbers..

*goes to check credit cards for paypass markings*

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Japan sells very effective anti-skimming cards to carry in our wallets to guard against the hand-held readers used in many areas. The ones that work block the signal from the credit and 'smart' cards.
Stitchawl

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

I don't want a 'tap and go' card now There are folks out there that scan for the beeps and then charge your card as they pass your pocket or bag! bluddy robbers..

*goes to check credit cards for paypass markings*

That's exactly what our anti-skimming cards protect us against. With a card on each side of your wallet, those card readers can't capture any information. We use what you're calling 'tap and go' cards for all transportation (bus, train, highway) as well as in convenience stores, storage lockers in train stations, etc., etc. More and more stores are adding them to their check-outs. With the anti-skimming cards, we don't have to worry about those nasty folks using the hand-held readers in crowed areas. I'm sure they must sell this sort of protection in Oz too.

Stitchawl

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

That's exactly what our anti-skimming cards protect us against. With a card on each side of your wallet, those card readers can't capture any information. We use what you're calling 'tap and go' cards for all transportation (bus, train, highway) as well as in convenience stores, storage lockers in train stations, etc., etc. More and more stores are adding them to their check-outs. With the anti-skimming cards, we don't have to worry about those nasty folks using the hand-held readers in crowed areas. I'm sure they must sell this sort of protection in Oz too.

Stitchawl

You know, that really hasn't caught on here like I thought it would -- at least, not that I've noticed. I've never even seen anyone USE the tap-and-go feature, although I've seen paystations set up for it at fast-food places. The only exception that I've seen in use, and used myself, are transit cards for our public transportation system (MARTA). Those work well to keep people from jamming up at the turnstiles.

[SneakySnake]

two of my cards have 'paypass' written on them.
Those anti cards sound like a great idea I may have to look into it! Thanks

[SneakySnake]

Brisbane airport lets you pay your parking by any credit card. Even my amex that requires a signature will go through!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

You know, that really hasn't caught on here like I thought it would -- at least, not that I've noticed.

It came into being here about 5 years ago, but only for some mass transit.
It's only been during the last year that it's really taken a massive increase. It started with the Osaka train system, and only one company at that. (There are about 8 different train companies that serve the Osaka/Kyoto area) Now there is only one company that doesn't take them, and they are in the process of changing over. As you said, it really does keep people from jamming up at the ticket machines and turnstiles.

I've never even seen anyone USE the tap-and-go feature, although I've seen paystations set up for it at fast-food places.

This is the area where it's really catching on. It started with the 7-Eleven's and spread to most of the various convenience stores, which do a massive lunch and dinner-time business with O-bento (prepared take-out meals) and is now moving into several of the supermarket chains, drug stores, and Fast food places.

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

Those anti cards sound like a great idea I may have to look into it! Thanks

Just be sure to get the ones that actually work...
There are a lot of them on the market that do absolutely nothing. Buy one, check it with a tap-and-go card going through a turnstile, etc., and if it blocks the signal, buy a second one. The blocking cards I use are the size of a credit card, but not nearly as thick. Perhaps 1/3 the thickness.

My wallet is sandwiched between two of them, and I have another attached to the card I use for bus and train travel so I can keep that card in my front pocket for ease of use, with the blocking card facing outward. I just have to be sure to face the card correctly when tapping it against the reader.

Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

it is so sad that anyone even needs think about that ;o(

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

it is so sad that anyone even needs think about that ;o(

40 years ago I tried opening my own security company, selling and installing alarm systems. The business failed miserably. I made the mistake of trying to run it in a place where most folks didn't even lock their doors when they left for the day... Location, location, location.

Today, same area, people have double and triple deadbolts, and hard-wired security systems with direct telephone alarms to local police stations. How times do change.

Stitchawl

[DixieGal]

We had trouble last Fall in Switzerland and Prague. ATM's had switched to the "smart" cards only, but our debit cards are old fashioned "dumb" cards. Luckily, our credit card had the chip, so we could get cash. I asked about it when we came home, but as of 6 months ago, the bank had no intention of changing out cards.

Being a bank teller is an ugly smelly dirty low-paying job. Money is filthy, and customers are often straight off the job and filthy also. Twenty-five yrs ago when I worked in banking, tellers were considered second class and steerage, even though they are the smiling faces of the company for most people. I hope that bias has changed over the years for them.

[covingtoncat73]

I have been having such panic attacks over my leaky windows. You see, Mom is my landlady. She doesn't live with me and I pay her rent (not enough, family rate, but I do pay rent) but she is about to move in with me and rent the house she and my late stepfather own (ed).

Anyway, when my brother replaced some siding and rotten 4x4s and 4x6s less than a year after Mom bought this townhouse (in 2005), he caused cracks in the sheetrock in my bedroom by the worst of the 2 windows. It took me a couple of years after that to realize what was going on. I put it damp carpet by the window down to my cat and heavy condensation on the window down to me running the AC low or just really high Louisiana humidity. It took one really heavy and sustained rainstorm about 2 years ago now to make me realize it couldn't be the cat. Mom looked at it and realized leaky window but hasn't replaced it yet.

Anyway, I worry that the whole wall is rotten and it is my fault for taking years to realize what was going on. Also, the big living room window appears now to have a leak, albeit small. there is a water stain about the size of my thumb and mildew around the window frame. The big couch I got rid of was it front of that so God knows how long that has been going on. And that one is under the overhang! *worry* *guilt*

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by covingtoncat73

I have been having such panic attacks over my leaky windows. t couldn't be the cat. Mom looked at it and realized leaky window but hasn't replaced it yet.
... Snip ...
it front of that so God knows how long that has been going on. And that one is under the overhang! *worry* *guilt*

Oh no! This may require an expert to assess. Could the roof overhang be leaking?

[covingtoncat73]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Oh no! This may require an expert to assess. Could the roof overhang be leaking?

I suppose possibly. It is a very small water stain, as I said, but there is a fair amount of mildew around the window frame. I can be so oblivious! I'm more worried about that bedroom window, though.