JMG
Very Clean
Posts: 412
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Post by JMG on Aug 14, 2008 15:37:55 GMT -5
I had an interesting experience with my bank this week. I was about to write some checks to pay some bills when I decided to call the 800 number my bank has set up to keep tabs on your account. I go there to balance my checkbook about once a week. Long story short, an $80 dollar check I had written, less than a week before, to a reputable national store magically turned into a check for $10,280 dollars against my account. After about a half an hour on the phone with my bank, they said the mistake was theirs, something about a problem with the routing number and they made everything right by me. Fine. But there’s a hell of a difference between a check for $80 dollars and a check for $10,280 dollars, at least in my world. How do these thing happen? The moral of the story is this…with computer hackers and identity theft common these days, we all need to keep close tabs on our checkbooks and credit cards. You can’t afford to wait on that monthly statement on your accounts, a lot of damage can happen in a month’s time.
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Post by winstonoboogie on Aug 14, 2008 20:27:18 GMT -5
I had an interesting experience with my bank this week. I was about to write some checks to pay some bills when I decided to call the 800 number my bank has set up to keep tabs on your account. I go there to balance my checkbook about once a week. Long story short, an $80 dollar check I had written, less than a week before, to a reputable national store magically turned into a check for $10,280 dollars against my account. After about a half an hour on the phone with my bank, they said the mistake was theirs, something about a problem with the routing number and they made everything right by me. Fine. But there’s a hell of a difference between a check for $80 dollars and a check for $10,280 dollars, at least in my world. How do these thing happen? The moral of the story is this…with computer hackers and identity theft common these days, we all need to keep close tabs on our checkbooks and credit cards. You can’t afford to wait on that monthly statement on your accounts, a lot of damage can happen in a month’s time. Wow! Thanks, JMG!
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Post by sayne on Aug 14, 2008 21:28:16 GMT -5
Scary. Although you do not need to actually engage in any transactions ( I get the concerns), you might want to use your bank's on-line services (if they have it) to monitor things. Every deposit, withdrawal, check, etc gets posted and you can check from home. Even if you don't use it, the information is there, so any concerns about security are there whether you use it or not. Might as well use it.
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JMG
Very Clean
Posts: 412
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Post by JMG on Aug 15, 2008 1:53:34 GMT -5
I understand what you're saying sayne but I've always been reluctant to do my banking online for this very reason. But once your account number and credit card number are out there, we're all fair game. We've gotta pay more attention to detail to protect ourselves.
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JCV
Very Clean
Posts: 545
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Post by JCV on Aug 15, 2008 12:06:25 GMT -5
It happened to me, too, JMG. I had used my credit card to buy something (which I never do unless I absolutely have to), and someone added an enormous charge to my account. Luckily the card I used had a scam protection service and they caught it and warned me right away, deleted the charge, changed my account number, etc. and all is right again. I agree with you, the more your information is out there, the easier it will be for someone to steal and use it. I try to pay cash for as much as possible, direct pay/deposit money, and keep a very close eye on all of my accounts. Glad your own situation had a happy ending. JCV
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JMG
Very Clean
Posts: 412
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Post by JMG on Aug 15, 2008 16:13:08 GMT -5
Glad your situation turned out for the good, JCV.
I have a credit card I use, for the most part, only in emergencies. I don't usually like to carry a great deal of cash around though it is the best (safest) way to pay for things. I mostly use my banks debit or check card, it's handy and most places don't like to deal with a check. But then again, you're dealing with a credit card number situation. It's very hard to win these days and it seems to be getting tougher.
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