ian-mstm

Y'know that the Americans invented the Internet, right?

Ian

rpjs

Yeah but we invented packet-switched networking, which made the internet possible, and the world-wide web, which made it useful, so it's 2-1 to us.

Volt61

People can be identified with the last 4 digits of their SSN and other non-secure & easily available data.
C/S centers are a prime source for identity theft, here and across the world.

There is a difference with using a debit card online and a credit card online.

My SSN and using my debit card online are different topics that seem to have become merged here. I was not asking about the latter.


I don't have a concern about using credit cards.

sir_eccles

Just thought I would note the following story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12879908

Volt61

Yes, and like the English inventing football, others have surpassed them.

scrubbedexpat099

And Cricket

Lots of Companies provide CC's for those with no SSN. BoA for example.

Now what the reaction will be when you have one and do not want to supply it, do not know.

Weeze

We too got a wells fargo credit card before we had our social security numbers. However, we did eventually need to provide our social security numbers as otherwise you can't pass their security checks when you telephone them.

Michael

If they ever ask you for the last four digits of your social security number (many banks don't), they also ask for other security questions that only you should know. Anyone else knowing the last four digits doesn't get them anywhere.

I never referred to a debit card and was always referring to a credit card. I don't even use my debit card except for banking purposes because of the limited protection against fradulent charges.
From my understanding, only if you don't have to give them your social security number.

Volt61

After spending (wasting really) many agonizing years on the phone with soul destroying menu systems and apathetic c/s staff, I never do this anymore and so this is no longer an issue.
They used to ask me for other things instead of my SSN but its been so long I don't remember what those things were.

My bank still does not have my SSN years after I opened my accounts.

Noorah101

How do they report any interest to the IRS? Or don't you have any interest-bearing accounts?

Rene

scrubbedexpat091

Visa debit cards have Zero liability in the event of fraud just like Visa credit cards do.

"Visa's Zero Liability Policy*, which protects you from unauthorized charges. Any funds taken from your account due to fraudulent use will be returned to you. "

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/d...html#anchor_20



I have had my card used once in 13 years of using debit cards, and upon reporting the fraudulent purchases to Bank of America, the money was back in my account within 5 minutes.

I dont know if Mastercard offers the same protections, but Visa certainly does.

tonrob

Exactly. The risks are negligible and the remedies are, in the most part, very straightforward.

Michael

That is the protection provided by Visa when charges go though the Visa network and not the charges that go directly to your bank via the debit network. Read the following.

http://www.pirg.org/consumer/banks/d...ebitcards1.htm

So you are right, it is no more risky for credit card charges than a credit card but it adds the risk of direct charges to you bank without using the visa network.

scrubbedexpat091

Bank of America (the bank I use) also offers zero liability when it comes to fraud. And having dealt with them once due to fraudulent charges made using my card, I can say it cost me nothing other then a few minutes on the phone.

In fact they noticed the fraud before I did, notified me by email and a phone call.

Michael

I agree but I suspect that you are either referring to credit card transactions on a debit card or on a credit card. That always has very good protection.

I've had fraudulent transactions three times on my credit cards, both mastercard and discovercard and never had a problem getting the charges removed, the card cancelled, and a new card issued with a new number.

My previous post was concerning the lessor protection that a debit card offers if someone uses it fraudulently to withdraw money from your bank account or makes a retail charge using the debit system (pin required) and not the credit card system. Charges for a debit card can be made through one of two networks depending how it is used but charges for credit cards always go through the credit card network.