Wireless Provider Gripe

Lantley wrote:

magicbus wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I thinks it sort of naïve to think you can somehow shield your info by not using a debit card. How do you pay the credit card that T mobile now uses? With a check?
When you write a check you put all your info out there. Are you fearful of writing a check? In the end its no different in terms of others having access to your info.

I pay with an e-payment via online banking. Regarding checks, go read up on check washing. There really is no reason to use paper checks anymore. And, if your debit card is compromised your bank account gets emptied. With a CC you just reject the charge.

No reason whatsoever to have a debit card.

Dave

But E-pay still puts your info out there which is my point.
Either you trust the electronic banking world or you don't. There is really no escaping it unless you pay all bills and all matters with cash. THere is only one banking system it's all tied together.
Sooner or later you have to pay the bill. Unless you pay in cash you participate in some form of the system.
If T-Mobile is offering you $60.00 in savings a year why not take it?
They would rather give you a discount vs. paying credit card fees to the bank.
No matter how you slice it at some point you are exposing your banking info, which will always have an inherent risk. Fraud, identity theft and deception are not a new phenomenon's. They have been around long before electronic banking and debit cards.

The difference is that the consequences from a credit card number disclosure are far less than those of a debit card / bank account
disclosure. The most obvious of which is that a fraudster can empty your bank account using your debit card or your bank account number. This means other transactions will bounce which will cost you in bounced transaction fees (like a bounced check). Legally there are more protections for you when you use a credit card. Merchants and vendors don't like paying the credit card transaction fee, which is why they may offer you the discount if you give them your bank account number. Don't take them up on the discount. Its not worth the hassle of having your bank account emptied. In my case, while my bank "forgave" all their bounced transaction fees, others didn't, and I was charged over $100.00 because our property tax payment bounced. So I know from personal experience, don't give anybody your debit or bank account numbers, pay with cash or a credit card. Its far easier to contest transactions and limit your liability with a credit card. I do all electronic transactions with my credit card.