generally this sort of info is covered by law.
I would be much more paranoid about giving out my SS# (Social Security--the
welfare card of the US, for you of other countries). That is where you can
really get screwed.. Credit card fraud doesn't really cost YOU much (if you
are on top of it, and pass it on to the companies immediately), but identity
fraud is significantly worse..
I lost my credit for 6 years after some freak stole my SS# thru the Florida
Dept of Transportation database. The damage was extraordinary, and it is
incredibly easy. I would venture that I could pull up and steal the identity
of nearly every American on this email list, as your social security number
is readily available ONLINE. Sounds far-fetched, but it's actually easier
to get than your credit card info.. The only thing that saves you is that
most crooks are too stupid to use your ID,as they wouldn't know what to do
with it..
Thanks,
David Wegener
Wegener Media
____________________
228 Elberta Dr
Lexington, SC 29073
- - - - - - - - - - -
803.808.4362 - office
803.920.3336 - cell
(212) 857.4931 - fax
In a message dated 8/25/01 8:22:10 PM, you wrote:
>The difference is that it would probably be easier to trace the surly waiter
and
>his crafty friend, who also don't advertize high and low about secure
encryption.
>I have used my credit card solely for online purchases and with a travel
agent
>I trust completely. Nevertheless, my credit card number -- and name -- were
recently
>stolen and used to buy entrance to porno sites (a way to test the card
number...)
>and, what's even more obscene, $500 worth of Windoze software. The guy
masked his
>URL for the downloaded software as a site in one of those obscure Central
Asian
>republics.
>
>I get the impression that credit card companies are either quite lax about
investigating
>such fraud, or they are simply overwhelmed by the amount.
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