In a troubled economy, watch for fraud

[scrupulous_stoic]

So I got a call today at work from my credit card company. Apparently, someone purchased two orders on a website called 24/7.com (sounds shady to me), and now I am being sent a new card lest my old one was completely compromised. Luckily, I check my purchasing history fervently on the web, and thus was able to clarify my history with ease.

However, this isn't the only incident that has occurred of credit fraud that I know of. Over the last month, many of my mom's friends have been having similar issues. My aunt, for example, had received a call asking about plane tickets purchased in Houston, jewelry purchased in North Dakota, and a $150 purchase at a Macy's half an hour away. In all, the expenses came out to $4,000.

Though not necessarily a news thread, this still correlates with the current economic trends. People are getting desperate. Thus, no matter how good your credit is, or how long you've had a credit card, be sure to check your purchases frequently.

[Jennifer5]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. My family hasn't ever had any of these problems, except for once and the bank caught it before it cleared.

Well... having maxed out credit cards is finally protecting us.

[Zerbie]

And also don't give your card number, especially the verification number on back, over the phone if you get a call purporting to be from your card company.
Hang up and tell them you will call back. Then call your credit card co and check with them -- you're probably being scammed.

[Rick336]

Stealing. It boggles the mind. It is a total lack of respect for humanity. It's a thought process that goes, "Screw the world. I'm going to take whatever I want."

I can't see how anyone who steals can possibly be happy. I mean, how can one live a fulfilled existence when they take other people's money or possessions for their own? How can one have a healthy self-esteem when they are taking advantage of people? How can they accept themselves as a good, decent person when they rob from others? A healthy self-esteem is essential for happiness.

It's sad that so many people go to their grave without a clue.

Rick

[scrupulous_stoic]

I think the case with me was simply not being on a secure network after an online purchase for my SAT scores. Dateline had a special on internet theft, and hackers can simply get your credit card information by driving around in the vicinity with the proper tools.

The scary part is that the FBI might be turning attention to this instead of homeland security (even though it should fall under the same category). It has been happening nationwide, and some suspect it is the employees at the clearing houses doing this.

All in all, debit for now on, until further notice.

[andrewlittle]

Originally Posted by Rick336

Stealing. It boggles the mind. It is a total lack of respect for humanity. It's a thought process that goes, "Screw the world. I'm going to take whatever I want."

I can't see how anyone who steals can possibly be happy. I mean, how can one live a fulfilled existence when they take other people's money or possessions for their own? How can one have a healthy self-esteem when they are taking advantage of people? How can they accept themselves as a good, decent person when they rob from others? A healthy self-esteem is essential for happiness.

It's sad that so many people go to their grave without a clue.

Rick

Beautiful answer that, once again, trashes the time worn notion that belief is God is the prime cause for a personal sense of ethics. Rick, you put so many people to shame, I admire you greatly. Your answer is more christian (I mean no insult by that) than many Christian answers would be.

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by andrewlittle

Beautiful answer that, once again, trashes the time worn notion that belief is God is the prime cause for a personal sense of ethics. Rick, you put so many people to shame, I admire you greatly. Your answer is more christian (I mean no insult by that) than many Christian answers would be.

The reason I became an atheist when I was so young was that I saw belief in God as the prime cause for a LACK of a personal sense of ethics. I tried to be as opposite christians as I could be.

It is very upsetting to learn years later that a few bad apples so tarnished the name that I couldn't distinguish between a complete lack of values and christianity itself. I've finally felt able to move past having seen a christian pastor on TV for 5 minutes in my childhood and to finally stop viewing ALL christians as automatic monsters.

Rick's comment makes the most sense of course. One cannot be happy if one is stomping all over others.

[Rick336]

Originally Posted by andrewlittle

Beautiful answer that, once again, trashes the time worn notion that belief is God is the prime cause for a personal sense of ethics. Rick, you put so many people to shame, I admire you greatly. Your answer is more christian (I mean no insult by that) than many Christian answers would be.

Thank you Andy.

Rick

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by Rick336

Stealing. It boggles the mind. It is a total lack of respect for humanity. It's a thought process that goes, "Screw the world. I'm going to take whatever I want."

I can't see how anyone who steals can possibly be happy. I mean, how can one live a fulfilled existence when they take other people's money or possessions for their own? How can one have a healthy self-esteem when they are taking advantage of people? How can they accept themselves as a good, decent person when they rob from others? A healthy self-esteem is essential for happiness.

It's sad that so many people go to their grave without a clue.

Rick

Selfish people don't care about anyone but themselves.

Gennee