[Nfbf-l] 'Tis the season....this happened to me yesterday

[BROOKE6358 at aol.com]

Hello all, 
 
Truly hope all have a wonderful, happy, joyous and safe  season--we know 
the reason for the season but there are those 'out there who do  not'.
 
We all know of 'being more attentive in our enviroment, etc  and why.  No 
need for that review, but I think this important enough to  bring a reminder 
to....watch it out there.  Nothing is totally fool proof  but we can take 
extra care.
 
Some person/s  got my bank debit card number somehow, and  I still have the 
card in my possession, and decided to purchase nearly $600 in  gasoline, 
all on Saturday and into early hours of Sunday, all in another county  an hour 
south of us.  5 service stations were used.  We have a Camry,  put $60 in 
it and she begins to cough up the overflow! :)  
Lowest purchase was $85, highest was $119. The rest were in  the $90 range.
 
Yes, my bank will restore monies when collected from the  vendors---it is 
the hassle --- the  'bah-humbug' kind!  
 
My banker told how these are not your 'let's set up business  in the 
garage' variety anymore. It is a sophisticated, professional business. I  asked 
many questions as to the best way to shop, buy gas, etc. The banker said  the 
best way is to use a credit card, bank card as these are insured and losses  
are restored by card issuer.  
 
Checking account is not compromised, this kind of event does  not steal 
your idenity, or affect credit rating.  It is a hassle to wait  for many days 
for the matter to be settled.
 
One tip stressed: keep card cupped in your hand, keeping code  (back) side 
into palm. Designate card transaction as credit rather than debit,  this 
keeps your PIN safe.  
 
When in restaurant and wait staff does not return in timely  manner with 
request for signature, get up and go to the manager or to  the register to get 
your card, call your issuer and cancel as soon as  possible.
 
Getting gas: At the gas pump, be diligent to any thing unusual  where card 
is inserted. This is the place where most numbers are taken from--the  card 
reader is a card reader inside one another, you have heard of this already,  
I am sure.  Look for anything suspicious, something 'just  not right, or 
slightly askew'  with the card slot or anything around  it. The device is now 
so sophisticated the trained eye cannot see the  fake.  
 
At the register: Keep your information to a minimum when asked  for either 
your zip code or phone number at the register.  This is one  place to say no 
to: when asked for zip code when making purchases. 
 
When calling your bank from your cell when in public,  cover your screen! 
Banks most often require entering Social  Security number when accessing 
account by phone. Ask your bank for another  number besides your SS or account 
number.  I know for myself, I forget  sometimes, to cover my screen when 
using cell in public. 
 
This was just a part of our banker's conversation  yesterday.  Most of this 
we already know.  It is frustrating and an  inconvenient experience to walk 
through.
 
Another posted good  safety tip:

Some folks have a second debit card with a different  account number than 
my primary account.  When I know I am going to do  shopping at times when 
card theft is higher than normal I only transfer enough  money from my primary 
account to my secondary account.  This way if someone  steals the card or 
copies the number the card will be rejected. 
 
 If you have more tips to add to  this--please cut and paste and SEND to 
all you know, including where you read  the post.
 
'Tis the season--be joyous in it!