I didn't realize how much we used our credit card. We use it whenever possible to rack up points for airline tickets and we have been able to fund several trips this way. We pay it off each month, so it is not a problem financially and it is a great convenience. To streamline things, we don't have another general card, so, I am finding it hard to function. I tried to return something and they waned to put it back on the card. Nope. Store credit instead--a big deal taking way too long. Order more cat food. Nope. Buy somethings for basement work. Difficult. A trip to the ATM for a large amount of cash--more than I'm comfortable carrying around. Groceries. Watch what we buy so we buy only what we have cash for. And this list goes on.
If we don't get the new card promptly, I wonder if we will have to break out the checkbook. It seems like years since I've seen someone pay at a register with a check. I wonder if the cashiers will know what to do with it. Or if the younger ones will even know what it is. Yesterday our young cashier couldn't understand that our credit card didn't come from the same bank as our savings and checking accounts. I'm not sure she understood the difference between a debit card and a credit card.
So until the new card comes, we'll be cutting back on our purchases. While we're not big spenders, that's probably not a bad thing. Then the fun begins. Changing all of our accounts to the new number. I hope whoever stole our numbers enjoyed their "Professional Services".
I'm sorry that happened to you! What a hassle, and scary, too. Have you considered a debit card? Might be easier for the younger generation to understand than a credit card. There was concern about one of our cards being compromised a few years ago--we do have one other credit card, which we almost never use, but ever since that incident, we have decided to keep the card, as it did make our lives easier at that time. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI meant to say, "than writing a check".
DeleteWe have been compromised several times, in fact, one time Ward's identity was stolen. That was a mess to work out. I think we may have to pull out our debit card. We don't use it regularly (ever), but it may be just what we need right now.
DeleteWe have had our cards compromised a couple of time. Once we had 4 Eurorail passes charged to us. Would have been nice but those trains generally don't pick up in Alabama. We also had a hotel stay and room service in California one day. Both time we had to cancel the card, but we do have 2 credit cards so we never had to operate totally with cash.. We use the one that has the best air miles as our primary card like you do, but we use the other a couple of times a month just to keep it active.
ReplyDeleteWe did have another card, but we rarely used it, so they cancelled it. We should probably get another one and use it occasionally like you do. So much for trying to simplify our "paperwork".
DeleteI'm so sorry your cc was compromised. I had that happen to me, a few years ago. Except, it was an already expired card! Someone in Pennsylvania or someplace, apparently used it to buy hundreds of dollars worth of candy and soda from a vending machine! The bank cancelled the card and issued a replacement, but, before I could even activate it, that too got compromised! I finally just cancelled the card!
ReplyDeleteI very, very rarely use a credit card. I pay cash. Occasionally, I still write out a check. Cashiers do know how to deal with dinosaurs like me who pay by check. :) They electronically deposit it and give me the cancelled check, right away! Occasionally, I have to sign a receipt saying I understand that the money will be electronically deducted from my account. But, for the most part, I pay cash. If I should suddenly disappear, there won't be much of an electronic trail left behind!
You may not be a credit card trail, but there will be your blog. Everyone will know something is up if you don't post. And they will be to use your posts for clues. No, you won't be able to disappear even if you want to.
DeleteOops! I forgot all about the blog! :D
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