----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Drader
To: dunhambarry@... ; billknobloch@... ;
brucetoyota277@... ; CHConsulting2003@... ; deadkeane@... ;
yeltom0@... ; somchai@... ; beijingsteve@...
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 10:02 AM
Subject: Fw: [Good Information - A MUST READ]






>SCENE 1
>
>A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.
>After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and
>thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. Hmmmmm."
>
>He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order.
>
>Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few weeks later his
>credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14.000! He called the credit
>card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the
>transactions.
>
>Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and
>asked if his card had been stolen. "No," he said, but then took out his
>wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep you guessed it a switch had been
>made. An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.
>The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.
>
>Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card
>missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them. How much did
>he have to pay for items he did not buy? $9,000! Why were there no calls
>made to verify the amount swiped?
>
>Small amounts rarely trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card
>companies. It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big
>one!
>
>SCENE 2
>
>A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card.
>
>The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the
>receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it
>and place it in his wallet or pocket. Funny enough, though, he actually
>took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of
>another person.
>
>He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back,
>apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the
>man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong
>expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately
>looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words - nothing!
>
>She took it and came back to the man with an apology.
>
>Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet at yours. Check the name
>on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away
>for even a short period of time. Many people just take back the credit card
>without even looking at it, thinking that it has to be theirs.
>
>FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME
>IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION!
>
>
>SCENE 3
>
>Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had
>called in. I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked
>directly to my checking account. The young man behind the counter
>took my card, swiped it, then laid it flat on the counter as he waited for
>the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he
>picked up his cell phone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because
>it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
>
>Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture
> He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was
>still pressing buttons.
>
>Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious
>to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was
>as my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.
>
>He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later,
>I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Now I'm
>standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of
>my credit card.
>
>Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I
>probably would never have known what happened.
>
>Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of
>the pizza parlor. All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all
>times. Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be
>careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you
>use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a camera phone these
>days. When you are in a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings your card
>and receipt for you to sign, make sure you scratch the number off.
>
>Some restaurants are using only the last four digits, but a lot of them are
>still putting the whole thing on there. I have already been a victim of
>credit card fraud and, believe me, it is not fun. The truth is that they
>can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them.
>
>FORWARD THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN THINK OF. LET'S GET THE WORD OUT!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for love? Check out XtraMSN Personals


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]