Even though — as recently as last week — executives at both Walmart and MasterCard confirmed that it is against both companies’ policies to demand ID for credit card purchases, Consumerist readers and Walmart shoppers are letting us know that the hassle continues. [More]
credit cards
American Express Parts Ways With Continental/United Rewards Program
By 9.27.10
Whenever you get an email from your credit card company notifying you of changes in your rewards program, odds are you’re not about to read some great news about fantastic benefits awaiting you. American Express told customers its Continental/United rewards program, which allows access to lounges, is flying away this week. [More]
Colleges Reap Big Bucks Selling Student Addresses To Credit Card Companies
By 9.24.10
Colleges are making bucket-loads of cash selling their alumni mailing lists to credit card companies. In some cases, they’re even getting a cut on every credit-card purchase or debit-card transaction a student makes. [More]
Bank Of America Threatens $75 Fee For 4-Day-Late Credit Card Payment
By 9.23.10
It’s one thing for a bank to nag customers who are late with credit card payments, but quite another to be rude about it and insist they’ll have to cough up $75 late fees in addition to interest. [More]
MasterCard: Walmart Should Not Have Demanded ID For Purchase
By 9.23.10
A couple weeks back, we brought you the story of Michael, a Walmart customer who was told it was company policy to require a photo ID on all credit card purchases over $100, even though that appears to be in violation of MasterCard’s merchant agreement. After trying to get someone at MasterCard to clarify/confirm their stance on ID-checking, Michael finally got the reply he was looking for. [More]
Will New Owners Reduce The Schwab Visa Card's 2% Cashback?
By 9.23.10
Popular cashback choice Schwab 2% Visa card is getting taken over by FIA card services September 30th, and customers fret that the new owners will kick the rewards down to 1%. [More]
Caller ID Says "Phone Scam"
By 9.21.10
Telemarketing credit card fraudsters aren’t even trying anymore. Reader Chris took a picture of the caller ID for one of them actually showing up as “PHONE SCAM.” [More]
Diesel Website Wants Color Scan Of Your Credit Card Via Email
By 9.21.10
I know credit card fraud is rampant, but I’m not sure sending full scans of your card through email is the proper way to fix things. [More]
The Credit Card That Rewrites Itself
By 9.20.10
This week Dynamics is showing off a new credit card that can rewrite its own magnetic strip on the fly. So you get a card that you have to punch in a code before it can be swiped or before you can read the credit card numbers. After a few minutes, the information erases and it returns to being an inert piece of plastic. Or, for the convenience factor, a card can have multiple credit cards on it. Just push the button of the card you want to use. The future is here and its in your wallet. [More]
China To Exceed US Credit Card Use By 2020
By 9.17.10
We don’t need to worry about China getting ahead, Mastercard said today that China is set to surpass the US by 2020 in America’s favorite pastime: using credit cards. It will only be a matter of time after that they implode on a consumer credit bubble, muahaha, exactly as we planned. See, you’re not the only ones that can export poison! [More]
Would You Let A Station Attendant Hold On To Your License While You Pump Gas?
By 9.16.10
Larry tells Consumerist that when he tried to pay for gasoline with his credit card recently, the station attendant didn’t just ask to see his driver’s license. She asked to keep it while he pumped gas. Have you run across this in your own travels? What would you do? [More]
ID Theft Victim Receives Ceaseless Cavalcade Of Stolen Packages
By 9.14.10
This lady’s address was used by credit card thieves who were scoping out different merchants’ fraud triggering levels. Which meant that she was receiving packages for and calls about a portable night light, Vietnamese movies, and a $2,500 Gibson. Every day for two months she got something new, and no one could stop it. [More]
Discover Tells Me It Requires Merchants To Check Your ID Now
By 9.13.10
When Andrea tried to use her Discover Card at Home Depot, the clerk told her she needed to show ID. Alarmed with this apparent violation of the merchant agreement, she called Discover and was told the ID-checking violated no agreement and was in fact company policy. [More]
Why Won't Rental Car Companies Let Me Use My Debit Card?
By 9.13.10
We recently gave you a suggestion for how to find a rental car that doesn’t require a major credit card, but we didn’t explain why it is that many car rental companies require the credit card — and why they won’t take your debit card. [More]
USAA And Mastercard Turn Celebrity Librarian Into Unwitting Consumer Scofflaw
By 9.10.10 — Updated: 9.8.16
K.G. writes that she used her Mastercard to pay for a car rental from Avis. The card issuer, Consumerist darling USAA, assured her that the card provided insurance coverage for rental cars. Good to know! Except for how the insurance claim was denied, possibly because she used a coupon for the car rental. No one is entirely sure. The bill went straight to a collection agency without ever giving K.G. an opportunity to, um, actually pay it. Now she’s being penalized for ducking a bill she was never sent, and still can’t get a straight answer out of any of the companies involved. [More]
Walmart Demands My ID On Credit Card Purchase Over $100
By 9.8.10
A reader named Michael wrote in to tell us about a recent trip to his local Walmart, where he and his wife picked up a pile of groceries totaling over $100. When his wife attempted to pay with her MasterCard at the register, she was asked for a photo ID. [More]
Reduce Spending By Writing Goals On Your Credit Cards
By 9.7.10
Have trouble keeping yourself from swiping the plastic? One way to cut down on mindless transacting is to take a sharpie and scribble your money goals on your credit card. They will stare at you the next time you pull it out. [More]
American Express Says You're Over 30 Days Late When You're Only 7
By 9.7.10
If you pay your American Express bill 7 days after the due date, the credit card company says you’re over 30 days past due. Every other issuer only says you’re 7 days late. What gives? [More]
