I will never use my credit card online again

[blastus]

Except for paying some bills and eBay purchases, I will never entrust my credit card to an online business ever again.

I joined a subscription website yesterday and now I can no longer access it. My user name is permanently blocked. The reason is because I'm NOT using Internet Explorer--the website permanently disables membership if they think you are using a bulk download agent. In other words, if you use any program but Internet Explorer to access the website you are banned.

I tried to explain that I have not violated any terms or conditions of the website, but I don't expect a response. If I actually do get a response, I fully expect it to be full of BS and I have accepted that I have been ripped off.

So tomorrow I'm going to cancel my credit card and get a new one with a very low limit. Obviously, only my ISP, the local utility companies, and eBay will end up having it. I'm going back to paying for everything else with cash.

Credit card protection is BS, you aren't protected from anything. I don't like the fact that any damn business that has your credit card number can do whatever they want. Legally, the fact that they have your credit card number means that you gave it to them, which means that you have given them CONSENT to charge whatever the hell they want on it.

If you think that they need a receipt with your signature on it you are sadly mistaken. There are lots of service-orientated businesses where you give your credit card number over the phone to make a reservation, for example, in which there is no paperwork and absolutely no proof that the business may be run by scam artists. It's just way too easy to be a victim of credit card fraud.

eBay is not the only place where fraud is rampant, but at least with eBay it is a given that sooner or later you are going to be bitten by fraud. I've been defrauded twice on eBay (purchased items but seller disappears) but it's expected. So I never spend more money than I'm willing to lose on eBay so the sting isn't too bad when it happens.

[treis]

So tomorrow I'm going to cancel my credit card and get a new one with a very low limit. Obviously, only my ISP, the local utility companies, and eBay will end up having it. I'm going back to paying for everything else with cash.

Credit card protection is BS, you aren't protected from anything. I don't like the fact that any damn business that has your credit card number can do whatever they want. Legally, the fact that they have your credit card number means that you gave it to them, which means that you have given them CONSENT to charge whatever the hell they want on it.

If you think that they need a receipt with your signature on it you are sadly mistaken. There are lots of service-orientated businesses where you give your credit card number over the phone to make a reservation, for example, in which there is no paperwork and absolutely no proof that the business may be run by scam artists. It's just way too easy to be a victim of credit card fraud.

Have you disputed the charges with the CC company?

[tbroderick]

.

I joined a subscription website yesterday and now I can no longer access it. My user name is permanently blocked. The reason is because I'm NOT using Internet Explorer--the website permanently disables membership if they think you are using a bulk download agent. In other words, if you use any program but Internet Explorer to access the website you are banned.


Download pr0n via bittorrent like everyone else.

[blastus]

Have you disputed the charges with the CC company?

No I haven't with this one.

I am currently in the process of disputing another charge from a local business that didn't provide a rental when they said they would provide it. I was told by legal services that I have no case against the rental company since the reservation was done over the phone--there's no proof of anything. The fact that they have my credit card number is evidence enough that I did business with them; everything I am claiming like they didn't provide the rental is hearsay. The business charged my credit card with a cancellation fee, but provided no rental. There's not a damn thing I can do.

[goumples]

I refuse to possess a credit card at all.. I've never had any problems using my debit card. Besides, if I had a credit card I'd probably have a house full of high tech gadgets and no way to pay for them :(

[blastus]

I refuse to possess a credit card at all.. I've never had any problems using my debit card. Besides, if I had a credit card I'd probably have a house full of high tech gadgets and no way to pay for them :(

I think I would use my debit card (and line of credit) if I had to make any big purchases.

[jrusso2]

I refuse to possess a credit card at all.. I've never had any problems using my debit card. Besides, if I had a credit card I'd probably have a house full of high tech gadgets and no way to pay for them :(

A debit card is much more dangerous. At least with a credit card your protected against fraud for anything over $50.

[kelvin spratt]

In the U.k all bonafide traders on the internet are registered with the major Credit card companies as is most of Europe if a company is not a member you are a fool to use them, subscription web sites are a con its another word for give us your money, but we ain't going to give you nothing for it just a scam, Unfortunately 1,000s of people get sucked in to these type of sites as you have learned at your expense, and the thing is with all the warnings others will do the same. just put it down to experience and make sure you don't fall for the same thing again,

[Dark Star]

Well you never get cheated if you spend money with trusted companies ;) Paying via CC to a comapany which is unknown is a foolish step :p So next time do take wise steps ;)

[slimdog360]

Porn site was it. You were bulk downloading porn.

[maniacmusician]

I don't know if it's necessarily the right thing to just stop using your credit card online...I'd just be more careful about where you use it. online purchases are a huge convenience, and can be a great resource.

I usually abstain from unnecessary use of my credit card as well. I don't buy into most subscriptions sites and only use it with trusted retailers (newegg, tigerdirect, staples, circuit city, etc etc). These things happen once in a while, so you just need to be a little more careful, that's all. How much money did you lose?

[Tux Aubrey]

Besides, if I had a credit card I'd probably have a house full of high tech gadgets and no way to pay for them :(

Now that's a low blow. Did my wife put you up to saying that?

[notwen]

Sounds like more of an issue w/ that specific site, rather than your CC. =\ Personally I would simply ask for a refund and be done w/ any site that blocks any visitor using anything other than IE. They're only missing out on 1/3 of the web if not more. =]

[xpod]

I have a completely separate debit account setup for using online via paypal.

I usually transfer funds via the account into paypal etc but i would never use my proper credit cards online,not unless it was some emergency anyway?
Theres just no need.

I keep emergency funds in the account but if the online purchase dont use paypal then i dont even bother.

My dear wife & daughters spend enough time out shopping with our poor plastic without letting them loose online with it too....

[FuturePilot]

Sounds like more of an issue w/ that specific site, rather than your CC. =\ Personally I would simply ask for a refund and be done w/ any site that blocks any visitor using anything other than IE. They're only missing out on 1/3 of the web if not more. =]

That's what I was thinking. I don't understand what this has to do with a CC. It seems like that site is being closed minded for only allowing IE.

[Depressed Man]

A debit card is much more dangerous. At least with a credit card your protected against fraud for anything over $50.

Aren't some debit cards given the same protection that credit cards are given now? I know mine's from Visa and the band (and Visa) told me whenever I go thru any transaction with the debit card to press credit instead of debit. That way it goes thru the secure servers that the credit cards go through and is offered the same protection for thefts, etc..

[blastus]

I need to cancel the card anyway so that they cannot place even more charges on it, like for renewal, for example, even though I canceled the subscription via the billing company's portal. Their portal says the subscription is canceled but I'm not taking any chances. I just hope the cancellation goes through before they are ready to place a renewal charge on it. Canceling the card is really the only way I'm going to protect myself from being further ripped off by the same ripoff artists.

I have to wait until tomorrow to talk to my credit card company. This is a hassle. I need to make some other arrangements as there are some legitimate pre-authorized payments on the card.

[50words]

What does this have to do with your credit card?

I had an MBNA card that let me set up "virtual" credit cards good for a set period of time with a limit I set. So if I wanted to register for a website, I could set it for a $30 limit to expire in one month. I would get a temporary number, CVV2 code, and expiration date.

I think a few companies are doing this now. Check it out the next time you register for a porn site.

[likemindead]

Pretty re-damn-diculous. Sorry to hear it. I had Discover contact me just last week regarding fraud, but it was no big deal for me. They took care of everything.

Every time you hand your credit, or debit for that matter, card to a waiter/waitress/bartender/clerk/etc. you risk your info being jotted down and used later or sold....

[Omnios]

I have a local pre paid mastercard. Basicly I put money on it when I want to buy something.

As for getting ripped off try to reverse the payment or if you want to get nasty make an invoice send it to them. Then when they laugh at you send into collections which should take the smile off there face.

[goumples]

A debit card is much more dangerous. At least with a credit card your protected against fraud for anything over $50.

My bank made it clear that I'm 100% protected against Fraud and Identity theft..


Now that's a low blow. Did my wife put you up to saying that?

Nah lol, it's the truth :(

[blastus]

What does this have to do with your credit card?

The fact that they have my credit card number and CW2 means they can put whatever charges they want on it. The problem I have with credit cards is that any credit card merchant with your number can place charges on it. The charges need to be approved, but they don't need MY APPROVAL and this is the issue I have with credit cards. With cash, every transaction (given my cash is not stolen) needs MY PHYSICAL APPROVAL--unfortunately cash can't be used for everything. Merchants should be required to ask customers for photo ID when accepting a credit card but they aren't.

So then you have to pay the bill so you don't pay interest and then you have to go through the long process of dispute with your credit card company and hope that they take your side. What if your card is stolen and you don't realize it for a few days? Am I supposed to check every few days to make sure I still have my credit card?


Every time you hand your credit, or debit for that matter, card to a waiter/waitress/bartender/clerk/etc. you risk your info being jotted down and used later or sold....

Exactly. What do they do with your credit card number after the fact? Do they store it in a database? What if their system gets hacked? Who has access to it? How long do they retain your credit card number for?

[fjf]

My bank has a system that allow you to generate a CC number for each purchase with the exact amount as limit. That reduces the risk.