[ellobogrande]

PC World suggests using a one-time use or "Virtual" account number when shopping online to protect your credit card number. I have an additional suggestion to add. Always have a virtual account number available in case you unexpectedly need to give out your credit card number over the phone or can't generate a virtual number at the moment it is needed.

My credit card number was stolen a few months ago when I had to give it over the phone to take out an ad in a local newspaper. To prevent that from ever happening again, I make sure I always have a virtual account number on hand. I cut off the sticky part of a Post-It note, stick it to the back of the credit card near the bottom and away from the magstripe, generate a virtual account number and write it on the label with a fine point pen. When I use the number, I remove it, stick it to a piece of paper and run it through a shredder. I then create a new number and label the next time I have the opportunity. I've never lost a label in a card reader and I've not had any problems with stolen account numbers since.

You can also apply the same tip to stick reminders to your credit card about current bonus incentives that change from time to time (e.g. Oct-Dec: 5% cash back on restaurants, movie theaters and grocery stores). I put those labels on the front of my card where I can see them. That way I always know what credit card I should use in a given situation to maximize my bonus cash or points on any given transaction.

Please share this tip in a future issue or however you see fit.

[mjd420nova]

Welcome to PC World community forums.
I've established a credit card account with AMEX (American Express) that I use just for online. I pay my bills and do purchasing with it and AMEX gaurentees I don't have to pay for any charges that aren't mine. So far I have had no problems and it's been over ten years.

[ellobogrande]

mjd420nova, on 01 November 2009 - 08:51 PM, said:

Welcome to PC World community forums.
I've established a credit card account with AMEX (American Express) that I use just for online. I pay my bills and do purchasing with it and AMEX gaurentees I don't have to pay for any charges that aren't mine. So far I have had no problems and it's been over ten years.

Thank you.

I wasn't held liable for the charge that the thief tried to make; I just had to bear the inconvenience of getting a new account number. However, if he/she had tried to make a purchase using a virtual account number, not only would it have been rejected but I could have traced it back to a specific party and alerted local authorities.

[mjd420nova]

One of the biggest problems I've seen with these fraudulent charges on any credit card is the failure of the card companies to look at the retailers who allow the charges in the first place. I have done some retail cashiering from time to time and always ask for an ID when accepting a charge card. I also advise many customers to put the statement "ASK FOR ID" on the card instead of signing them. A big clue in many of these charges would be that no signature was supplied and the retailers were actually involved in pushing these fraudulent charges through. The credit card companies should have the records of which companies are involved and local law enforcement should be alerted and get them involved. However, the credit card companies really could care less as long as they get their money.

[smax013]

ellobogrande, on 02 November 2009 - 05:35 AM, said:

Thank you.

I wasn't held liable for the charge that the thief tried to make; I just had to bear the inconvenience of getting a new account number. However, if he/she had tried to make a purchase using a virtual account number, not only would it have been rejected but I could have traced it back to a specific party and alerted local authorities.

Be careful. A charge to a virtual card number will only be rejected if that number has been used or if it has expired or if it is beyond the limit you set (at least based on how my virtual card system works). If it is an unused virtual number, then it can be used to make a purchase at ANY retailer. Typically, once the virtual number has been used, it can only be used with that retailer for future purchases.

You are correct that using a virtual number does mean that you would not have to change your actual card number if that virtual card number is stolen.

[smax013]

mjd420nova, on 02 November 2009 - 07:43 AM, said:

One of the biggest problems I've seen with these fraudulent charges on any credit card is the failure of the card companies to look at the retailers who allow the charges in the first place. I have done some retail cashiering from time to time and always ask for an ID when accepting a charge card. I also advise many customers to put the statement "ASK FOR ID" on the card instead of signing them. A big clue in many of these charges would be that no signature was supplied and the retailers were actually involved in pushing these fraudulent charges through. The credit card companies should have the records of which companies are involved and local law enforcement should be alerted and get them involved. However, the credit card companies really could care less as long as they get their money.

If I am understanding you correctly, there is small flaw with your suggestion to put "ASK FOR ID" on the card instead of signing them...for that to do any good, someone would still have to ask to see the card, flip it over and look at the signature spot. Considering most retail cashiers do not do that, it makes it no better than signing the card.

[mjd420nova]

As part of the training for doing that cashier job was the incentive that if you actually caught someone with a stolen card you could get a reward from the credit card company. I can attest to that fact because I actually got a $100. reward for recovering a stolen card. Yes, it is difficult to get the retailers to induce the cashiers to do their job but you can't expect too much for someone who is just getting minimum wage and has to put up with all the garbage that people put on them. The other problem is that the retailers spend more time and assets on watching their employees than they do on the people who walk out the store without paying. If they would pay a better wage, they'd get better workers. Don't get me started. My wife has worked retail for thirty years and the stories I could tell you.

This post has been edited by mjd420nova: 02 November 2009 - 08:55 PM