I do something similar. Only thing different is that I leave the extra cash and miscellaneous cards at home until I plan to use them (I don't have a money belt nor do I need one). I can see the need for a money belt if I plan to carry lots of cash or cards for whatever reasons. Just didn't know some here at ET carry money belts. You guys must be walking around with a lot of cash on your person. I grew up in a bad neighborhood for awhile as a kid... Never heard of any money belts. Mark
Pekelo, As you already knew from an earlier pm... My credit card issurer advised (recommendation) this stuff. * Don't let your credit card go out of your eye site too long et cetera. However, as I mentioned earlier... It's a two fold problem. * Carelessness of the person handling the card and scrupulous eyes of the patrons or those walking by. If I see other patrons at the counter while my credit card info or any other private info is being processed... I have the right to be there to ensure the saftety of my info especially when there's others (patrons) standing right there. If someone feels insulted I get up out of my seat as they are processing my info... That person must already be furious with the other patrons already standing there in line. Surely I can't be the only trader at ET that pays for things at the payment counter. Have you ever gone to the front counter to pay a bill at a restuarant??? Do you consider it to be stalking when you did it (sarcasm not aimed at you)??? If you don't pay at the counter and trust those handling your credit card out of your view but in the view of other patrons... Do you feel safe with that??? I don't. In the past...I did and never gave it a second thought until those two restaurant fraud cases involving my credit card. All I know is this...I no longer have any problems. That's what is important. Besides, I'm not being rude...I would rather lister to my credit card issurer about protecting myself in comparison to the comments of those that have never been ripped off involving a restaurant. As the pm to you said... The protection isn't immediately...its down the road. Credit Card numbers are resold. That's a fact and a resold credit card number that has been changed...its useless to the thief. Anything I've stated to you here or via pm can easily be verified by talking to your credit card issurer. However, that's not the real issue. The real issue is do these recommendations help??? In my case...so far...it does. Have I ever seen my credit card placed on a counter in the full view of other patrons standing at the counter? A few times and I politely picked up my credit card until the cash register person was finish with their conversation with the other person. No rude remarks...no stare downs...I then hand my credit card back to the cash register person when they are finish doing whatever it is they are doing. They ring my bill up with the nice tip I've included and I walk away with some assurance knowing that only one person has seen my numbers. It's much better than sitting at my seat waiting for the waitress/waiter to bring back my card. Those that consider standing in a line at a payment counter as stalking... Their kidding themselves especially when I've never met a person that has never gone to a front counter to pay a bill at a restaurant... Cheap place or expensive place. The most appropriate time to get out of your seat to pay your bill...its when your done eating, done with the convesations and when the waitress/waiter brings the bill. Nobody ever said its perfect solution and it only takes a few minutes of my time (after the meal...after the conversations). Yet, if someone wants your card number, they can steal it other ways. I'm saying this... Don't make it easy for them. Here's something interesting. Yep, some card companies now offer biometric credit cards to be used at places (stores) that offer biometric payment systerms... Example...fingerprint scanning. Call Citibank if you don't believe me. What about laptops??? Anybody have one of the latest laptops that has biometric protection... Fingerprinting scanning. http://laptopmag.com/Features/Real-Notebook-Security.htm?Page=3 http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/security/fingerprintreader.html My neighbor does only because he handles confidential information that's work related. Simple, analogy... You get punch a few times... You enventually learn how to duck or not get into a fight. In my case, since I can't avoid restaurants...I choose not to make it easy to get hit again. Mark
I can hardly believe anyone here thinks it is "stalking" or whatever because Mark wants to keep in touch with his credit card at a restaurant. It must be because these people have worked at one or work at one now. That is the only good reason I can come up with... And to think a waiter or waitress would actually do something rotten just because someone would follow them to the pay station is laughable.
Not sure if it is stalking, but it is in bad taste. Most waitpeople are honest and hard working. I don't think they deserve to have a customer follow them to the credit card terminal because he is worried they will steal his number. Just my opinion.
It's all much ado about nothing. The bottom line is as long as you use your credit card it will subject to fraudulent use NO MATTER WHAT PRECAUTIONS YOU TAKE.
I don't think its stalking but I do think its hilarious. What happens when the waiter/waitress doesnt take the check & credit card directly to a pay station but makes a stop at another table and/or does some other routine duties? Does Mark just hover? And while the odds that you will end up with non-clean food (Fight Club reference) as a result is low, I certainly have to imagine that the waiter/waitress would take it as an insult, although maybe not a personal one. Or maybe they would think he is mentally disturbed. It certainly is not normal behavior.
And what if the waiter/waitress leaves his credit card at his/her next stop on the way to the pay station? See, many possible things can happen to your card. And yes, I do believe Mark would hover. And maybe make small talk...
In that case, I will never use my credit card again. And my tips will be way smaller because of it!...