Comments on: Point-of-Sale Skimmers: No Charge…Yet

By: JCitizen

JCitizen — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 06:48:26 +0000

One addendum to Brian’s comment; many credit unions pay back your 4+% (whatever) purchase charges every month or quarter; so you are actually a chump for using cash in that instance. Because you can actually shop cheaper using a credit union cash card.

I do not recommend doing this for anything other than local purchases, of course. I already had a vendor who was cracked, lose my debit card number to a spammer who used it to buy command and control space on a disreputable hosting site; so he could get at least 3 months of server space to do his C&C dirty deeds until the next free ride on stolen credit to the next free hosting space.

So even if you get the good deal, you need to monitor that account for any anomalies to tag any suspicious debits to unknown sources. That way you can possibly stay under the 48 hour window of liability to any illicit charges and get them back. Your credit union may not recover the loss, but at least you will not lose.

By: voksalna

voksalna — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:01:33 +0000

It’s funny how everybody is talking about the benefits of cash or cards, but nobody has mentioned the gross security/profiling implications of card use over cash. Cash is always better. Also, if there are power problems or any other thing affecting banks or electronics, cash will always have the advantage of availability.

It would be interesting to know if for example people who were affected by blackouts (and food shortages) due to Hurricane Sandy change their cash vs card habits, by the way. Also much harder to get skimmed if you don’t use your card often.

By: peter mcleod

peter mcleod — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:13:45 +0000

Kevin,
I think “diction” means when you’re actually speaking, it’s “So Whats’ ” grammar that is awful. But you’re absolutely 100% right.
Peter

By: JCitizen

JCitizen — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:35:55 +0000

You got that right RSH!

By: Richard Steven Hack

Richard Steven Hack — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:33:30 +0000

I’ve always paid by cash. I only use my bank card card for online purchases.

Given the odds that you’re NOT going to be mugged on any given day, unless you’re mugged on the day you’re taking cash to buy a car, it’s unlikely you’ll lose any significant amount of cash due to crime – unless you’re someone who likes waving a wad of bills around to impress women.

And if you are mugged, they’ll get your credit card, too.

This also applies if you’re pick-pocketed.

And you can always conceal any excess cash elsewhere on your person than your wallet, which is always a good idea. Buy a money belt.

It really is easier to pay by cash and it really does help you stay budgeted and avoid the excessive credit build up which is a serious problem in the US – and which is much more likely to happen to you than being robbed of cash.

By: Yeahright

Yeahright — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:22:32 +0000

People manufacturing skimmers are not trying to be PCI compliant.

By: BrianKrebs

BrianKrebs — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:22:33 +0000

Unfortunately, the cost of fraud is already built into whatever you’re buying. So, as a consumer in the US, it is safer for you to pay with a credit card (zero liability) than it is to carry around a bunch of cash.

By: Piyush

Piyush — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:21:20 +0000

Also, using cash you can manage your budget easily. As you know how much you have in hand. So, the extra buy happens less. (e.g. Buy one get one free, unnecessary buying extra things, As you assume you’re paying with a card so no need to worry about payment)

Cash payment helps you to focus on necessary shopping.
Its also restrict your shopping addictivity, if you have one.

By: Piyush

Piyush — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:10:23 +0000

Just pay in cash whenever you can. Also, keep sufficient amount of cash in wallet for a day.

Plan your shopping. (for Home, for Entertainment)
Prior that get equal amount of cash for each shopping.

use separate accounts/cards for each shopping activity. (sub card for home shopping, gift cards for online shopping)

etc… etc…

Hope, this is helpful.

By: Mrten

Mrten — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:15:26 +0000

Well, that’s the ultimate problem, isn’t it? How does the customer verify the POS? This kind of skimming is only possible because the authentication is one-way all the time (bank verifies customer is real, never the other way around…)

There should be a green LED on the customers’ card that lights up when the POS has authenticated itself to the card, before you enter your PIN.