[mythtv-users] Alternatives to Supporting schedulesdirect.org

[David Brodbeck]

On Aug 8, 2007, at 7:44 AM, Braindead wrote:
> I think the safest thing a person could do is to get some sort of  
> prepaid credit card, and use it like a wallet.. don't put more  
> money in it than you can stand to lose.  I'd just as soon not have  
> someone max out a CC with a $15K limit...

The great thing about credit cards is, even if someone *does* steal  
the number and max it out, you're not responsible for the fraudulent  
charges.  I had someone steal my AmEx card number, once.  Here is the  
complete drama as it unfolded:

*cell phone rings*
Person on the other end: "Hi, I'm Bob from American Express.  I'm  
calling about your card ending in xxxx.  We have some charges we want  
you to verify."
Me: "OK."
Them: "We show a $50 charge to (charity I've never heard of) and a  
$100 purchase at (online business I've never heard of.)  Did you make  
those transactions?"
Me: "Doesn't sound like me."
Them: "OK, we'll reverse them and send you a card with a new number.   
Your existing card will be invalid in a few minutes."

That was it.  I had the new card in a couple of days.

So no, having your credit card number stolen is no big deal, as long  
as you keep an eye on your statements and your card issuer is on the  
ball.  Having your bank account number stolen, *that's* a big deal.   
Having your SSN stolen, that's a *really* big deal, because then they  
can open accounts you don't even know about.  It's also worth noting  
that the consumer protections on debit cards are a lot weaker than  
those on "real" credit cards.