Just before lunch, we dropped by the Superstore in Aurora. We found the Superman costume for my boy and two bottles of bubble soap. The bubble soap was on sale for half price. I was waiting for the price drop, and eventually, it came.
At the register, I scanned everything, reached for my wallet, and … no credit card. Where did I put it? How did I lose it? Questions were pounding through my head. I paid cash for everything and drove home. I looked everywhere at home. No sign of my credit card.
Then I remembered. I used it last at Longos on Friday night. Before I call and report my lost credit card, I decided to check with Longos. I called, and yes, they had it. I was a little embarrassed. I forgot and left it in the credit card terminal. I let her know I would be there tonight to pick it up.
Later today, we went to pick up my credit card at Longos. Thinking of the embarrassment again and having anyone from Longos remind me not to forget it again, I was surprised to see this.
I came to the register desk and explained the situation. The lady at the information desk asked on what day I lost my card. She opened the drawer and picked up a stash of credit cards wrapped in an elastic band. There must have been at least 10. “Oh, sorry, this is today only,” she replied. I was very surprised to see that many. Today only?
She turned around and reached out for a plastic container the size of a shoe box. This is when I was really surprised. The box was almost full, filled with credit cards and debit cards. Just an estimation. Being in bundles of 10, there were probably 15 bundles or more.
“Oh, that is just August alone and we will have to cut it up soon,” she added. “Here is September 9 pile, which one,” she said.
That was a good ending.
I picked up a little something and paid for it at the register. I used my credit card, inserted it into the terminal, and punched in the code. I took the receipt and the bag.
“Thank you for the sticker,” Matthew waved goodbye.
“Oh, and here, don’t forget your credit card,” the clerk waved the card at me.
I did it again.
This issue seems to be with the chip technology in credit and debit cards. It is a secure feature with an embedded chip inside the card that stores all the information, as opposed to the black magnetic strip. The problem is that in the old days, cards were swiped and the card never left your hand or was passed directly from the clerk to you.
There is still an option to swipe the card, but that is only if you don’t have the chip yet. If you have the chip, you have to insert the card into the terminal. Another option, and probably better than the above, is tapping a credit card on the terminal. By tapping the card, it does not leave your hand. The card can also have an extended lifespan compared to the black strip.
It seems like the chip technology makes consumers forget their credit and debit cards in the terminal. The new credit/debit card chip technology, compared to the Wii controller, needs a wrist or wallet strap.
The lady at the information desk at Longos was very nice and friendly. I took my second credit card with my signature and started to show her. She waved at me, indicating it was okay.
As nice as it was to have that kind of trusting customer service, this is a big NO. With so little security, anyone can claim their lost credit card.
COMMENTS
Christopher Watts said: September 14, 2011 at 12:56
“Wow, I wondered how common that was. You’re correct the requirement to remove the card from your hand as a component of the transaction is a UX design fail. I suppose the radio frequency card technology will claim that the wave and pay method will resolve this issue, but so would the stripe. Interestingly enough I find some retailers, like Shoppers instruct card users to swipe not insert chip, so I wonder if this is a store policy or a technical issue.”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: September 14, 2011 at 15:52
“Chris, thank you for all your comments. I don’t know for sure, because when we go to Tim Horton’s sometimes we swipe and sometimes we tap. Maybe, like you said, it is the store policy. Or it depends on the card. I didn’t want to mention the store name, just in case someone gets the idea to pick up some credit cards and have fun. I also thought maybe I should write them a quick note about their lame security procedures. My first chip technology credit card didn’t even require a code, all I had to do was punch anything and it worked. How stupid is that? Especially when it was a new card because the other one was hacked. Well, with every new technology there will be pros and cons, and probably more cons at the beginning. Thanks again.”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: September 20, 2011 at 00:51
“So I did some shopping at Wal*mart and it beeps telling you to take the card out, tellers remind you on top of that.”
Max Coutinho said: September 21, 2011 at 14:08
“Hi Anna, I finally managed to drop by this blog and I must say that I like it! So, it is usual to lose one’s credit card, eh? It never happened to me so I can’t comment much on it. Nevertheless, I loved your post on it. I will add this blog to my culture blogroll :D. Big hug to you and long live Living in Aurora! Cheers”
Marvin said: September 27, 2011 at 00:25
“Ha! I’ve only lost one card. I’m pretty anal about putting mine away after I use it. But yesterday in the hotel, the clerk gave me my room key and I immediately misplaced it within five seconds of her handing it to me. She had to make me another. I eventually found it in a pocket I don’t normally use.”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: October 1, 2011 at 22:50
“Dear Max, I am so glad to see you here. Yeah things happen when new technologies are introduced.”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: October 1, 2011 at 22:55
“Marvin, I actually left couple debit cards in the machine, LOL. I think I just have too many other things on my head rather than remembering to take my card with me. LOL, about your story.”
