Does this mean I'm a creature of habit?
-
in my experience, using a card is nearly always quicker then fishing for cash, having the clerk count back change, dropping some coins, etc.. stores in the US don't even ask for a signature, if it's a small purchase, these days.
No PIN entry?
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
-
No PIN entry?
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
-
No PIN entry?
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
-
No PIN entry?
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
not with a credit card. bank debit cards, yes. totally insecure, sure. but damned convenient!
-
No PIN entry?
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit
I prefer PIN entry, mostly because I'm terrible at writing my own name. I tend to get bored at some random point through and then just make random scribbles, and it can be at a different point every time I sign...I'm surprised my bank doesn't think someone is trying to forge my name.
-
I use my credit card only in reputed places, especially for high value transactions. I carry some cash for my daily expenses, but a lot of people find it convenient to swipe their card (as some of them have already pointed out). So, it's just a matter of preference.
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
-
not with a credit card. bank debit cards, yes. totally insecure, sure. but damned convenient!
Here we're starting to have NIPed credit cards; they came along the chipped cards.
Watched code never compiles.
-
Plus ATM fees to actually get cash add to the cost of using cash. On the other hand I get a small percentage of what I spend back when I use my debit card so I prefer to use that.
The ATM usage charges are negligible here in my country. If you use ATM machines of the card issuing bank, there will be no charge at all. If you use the ATM machines of other banks, the first few transactions (5 or so per month) are free and then they start charging you something like half an USD per transaction. Not something I'd sweat about. :)
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
-
The ATM usage charges are negligible here in my country. If you use ATM machines of the card issuing bank, there will be no charge at all. If you use the ATM machines of other banks, the first few transactions (5 or so per month) are free and then they start charging you something like half an USD per transaction. Not something I'd sweat about. :)
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
Here it's often a few USD per transaction if it's not your bank's ATM. Luckily my bank refunds something like the first 20 per month (and honestly if you're withdrawing money that often you're probably not planning well). (Also: "ATM machine" is redundant ;P )
-
I prefer PIN entry, mostly because I'm terrible at writing my own name. I tend to get bored at some random point through and then just make random scribbles, and it can be at a different point every time I sign...I'm surprised my bank doesn't think someone is trying to forge my name.
lewax00 wrote:
I'm surprised my bank doesn't think someone is trying to forge my name.
As to what I've heard from someone in the banking industry, they'll start worrying only if YOU raise a dispute about a fraudulent swipe of your card. Until then, it's assumed that everything is in good shape, even if you write 'OMGLOLBBQ' in place of your signature. :)
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
-
lewax00 wrote:
I'm surprised my bank doesn't think someone is trying to forge my name.
As to what I've heard from someone in the banking industry, they'll start worrying only if YOU raise a dispute about a fraudulent swipe of your card. Until then, it's assumed that everything is in good shape, even if you write 'OMGLOLBBQ' in place of your signature. :)
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
Now I'm tempted to test that. But it makes sense, from my understanding pretty much anything constitutes a legal signature. I had a friend who signed things "go **** yourself" or something to that effect. [EDIT] Just remembered, somewhat related, but my bank has contacted my father for a suspicious charge on his card before he even noticed it, so they must pay some attention, but this may have been more location based.
-
Now I'm tempted to test that. But it makes sense, from my understanding pretty much anything constitutes a legal signature. I had a friend who signed things "go **** yourself" or something to that effect. [EDIT] Just remembered, somewhat related, but my bank has contacted my father for a suspicious charge on his card before he even noticed it, so they must pay some attention, but this may have been more location based.
I actually have tested it once by doing a signature that's completely different while paying in an electronics store. But then there was no enquiry of anything about this transaction from the bank. Not a phone call, an email or anything. I assumed that they don't simply verify the signatures at all. The store cashier was supposed to match the signature I did with the one behind the card, but he didn't do it either. The transaction appeared along with other ones in the following month's statement.
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
-
Now I'm tempted to test that. But it makes sense, from my understanding pretty much anything constitutes a legal signature. I had a friend who signed things "go **** yourself" or something to that effect. [EDIT] Just remembered, somewhat related, but my bank has contacted my father for a suspicious charge on his card before he even noticed it, so they must pay some attention, but this may have been more location based.
lewax00 wrote:
Just remembered, somewhat related, but my bank has contacted my father for a suspicious charge on his card before he even noticed it, so they must pay some attention, but this may have been more location based.
Quite possible. A few years ago I drove my sister back to college in NYC from my parents house in the Pittsburgh pa area (about 8 hours 1 way). I did the whole trip in a single day, only stopping to nap at a rest stop halfway home. Later that day when I woke the second time my CC company had left me voice mail asking about some suspicious charges (gas/dinner). Apparently when combined with the lack of airfare/hotel charges the lunch/brunch stops about 2h from my parents place weren't enough to convince their computers I'd actually been there. It was a very short conversation, after the obligatory BS: "If you're referring to W, X, Y, or Z (identified by business type and approximate location); they're legit."
3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18
-
I actually have tested it once by doing a signature that's completely different while paying in an electronics store. But then there was no enquiry of anything about this transaction from the bank. Not a phone call, an email or anything. I assumed that they don't simply verify the signatures at all. The store cashier was supposed to match the signature I did with the one behind the card, but he didn't do it either. The transaction appeared along with other ones in the following month's statement.
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
-
Times must be bad when you're buying your daily food with a credit card. :(
Pete
I use my credit card for just about everything. It saves me from needing to carry cash and I earn 1% or sometimes 5% cash back which ends up being between $100 and $300 per year. I don't pay any fee because I pay off the entire balance each month.
John
-
Here it's often a few USD per transaction if it's not your bank's ATM. Luckily my bank refunds something like the first 20 per month (and honestly if you're withdrawing money that often you're probably not planning well). (Also: "ATM machine" is redundant ;P )
My bank refunds ATM fees too (apparently cheaper for them than actually building a ATM network); not sure if they have a cap or not. I normally use one of several free ATMs, so aside from the occasional extortionate fee from a hotel lobby or the like it's a moot point and with the favor I'm doing them by seeking out free atms for my normal business I'm not that concerned about an occasional double/triple priced charge.
3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18
-
lewax00 wrote:
Just remembered, somewhat related, but my bank has contacted my father for a suspicious charge on his card before he even noticed it, so they must pay some attention, but this may have been more location based.
Quite possible. A few years ago I drove my sister back to college in NYC from my parents house in the Pittsburgh pa area (about 8 hours 1 way). I did the whole trip in a single day, only stopping to nap at a rest stop halfway home. Later that day when I woke the second time my CC company had left me voice mail asking about some suspicious charges (gas/dinner). Apparently when combined with the lack of airfare/hotel charges the lunch/brunch stops about 2h from my parents place weren't enough to convince their computers I'd actually been there. It was a very short conversation, after the obligatory BS: "If you're referring to W, X, Y, or Z (identified by business type and approximate location); they're legit."
3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18
This one was interesting because my father frequently travels for work, and it happened in a city he goes to often. I don't remember if he was there at the time or not though, but I do remember he was traveling because of the hassle it caused when they locked out his card to prevent further fraudulent charges.
-
My bank refunds ATM fees too (apparently cheaper for them than actually building a ATM network); not sure if they have a cap or not. I normally use one of several free ATMs, so aside from the occasional extortionate fee from a hotel lobby or the like it's a moot point and with the favor I'm doing them by seeking out free atms for my normal business I'm not that concerned about an occasional double/triple priced charge.
3x12=36 2x12=24 1x12=12 0x12=18
I've never seen ATMs for my bank...or even a physical branch for that matter. There's some infrastructure savings :laugh: (although in theory I can do transactions at some other banks in the region, I've just never tried, the internet and mail works fine for my needs)
-
I actually have tested it once by doing a signature that's completely different while paying in an electronics store. But then there was no enquiry of anything about this transaction from the bank. Not a phone call, an email or anything. I assumed that they don't simply verify the signatures at all. The store cashier was supposed to match the signature I did with the one behind the card, but he didn't do it either. The transaction appeared along with other ones in the following month's statement.
"Real men drive manual transmission" - Rajesh.
I'm pretty sure the signatures are not looked at by the bank unless you file a complaint and the store is supposed to provide the signed receipt for comparison. If the store can't provide it, then sucks to be them. I have a friend who likes to sign with smiley faces. :-D
Martin Fowler wrote:
Any fool can write code that a computer can understand. Good programmers write code that humans can understand.
-
not with a credit card. bank debit cards, yes. totally insecure, sure. but damned convenient!
That's odd. I've had PIN entry with all my credit cards for as long as I can remember. Visa and MasterCard. I didn't get a PIN for Amex until a couple of years ago though.
-- Kein Mitleid Für Die Mehrheit