How secure is your credit-card?

I am sure most of us have noticed at grocery stores and large retailers, the cashiers rarely, if ever, verify your signature. In fact some even give back your card before you return your signed receipt!

I didn’t know how pervasive the problem was till I read John Hargrave’s exploits with credit card. It makes you think how serious is the problem of losing your credit card. Your signature doesn’t provide you any protection, because nobody checks anymore!

In essence he got away with signing other’s names (of super stars and his own organs with accompanying pictures), hieroglyphics, drawing pictures, grids, glueing images in his credit card receipt signature field. And nobody questioned. He tried giving negative tip and again nobody questioned him. Even when he was snapping pictures of his receipt, it didn’t strike them to at least take a look at the receipt.

In the end however Circuit City employees got wiser of his antics when he signed “Not Authorized” in place of his signature for a purchase of over 16, 000 USD for three high end 42″ plasma HDTV using Amex!

Guess that’s what it takes to make them notice these days and a diligent Indian clerk

Link to the article. His original exploits can be found here.