Reader Kristin gets the double whammy of poor service from online travel agency Orbitz.com.
credit cards
The Geography of Usury
By 9.20.06
If you’ve ever wondered why your credit card bills are postmarked in Utah, Delaware, Virginia, or South Dakota, and why your interest rates are higher than you think should be legal, the map above might help.
Tear This Document To Shreds To See Your Wells Fargo Extended Protection Plan
By 9.13.06
Over at This Is Broken, reader Mike wrote in with a scan of an insert in his latest credit card bill from Wells Fargo. “One of those side-tear envelopes where you tear off one side and slide the contents out. The other three sides remain sealed, to ensure that the text printed on the inside of the envelope cover is unreadable.”
Feature: Converting Credit Card Reward Points Into Free Flights
By 8.31.06
An impassioned plea, sent weeks ago to our tips box. A certain level of confused hysteria is evident. “If I have a credit card with reward points, should I convert them into miles? When? How to tell whether I’m getting a good rate? Help!”
Chase Pitches Imaginary Credit Card
By 8.22.06
Here’s a great new trick to get consumers to fall for your credit card offer. Smudge the outside of the envelope with the outline of a credit card so they think there’s one inside. Then when they open it, there isn’t one! But hey, you got them to open the envelope, right? And that’s half the battle when you’re pitching 29% APRs.
AMEX Downgrades Double Rewards
By 8.1.06
AMEX announced it’s getting rid of double rewards for certain venues and changing its annual fees.
Complain: Mailing Address for Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank
By 7.31.06
The thrust of the mounting consumer complaints against Capital One may explain the credit card’s fondness for filling their ads with barbarians.
Senator Reid Identity Theft Victim
By 7.27.06
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid canceled his Mastercard after someone stole it and ran up over $2000 in charges.
When Credit Is Safer Than Debit
By 7.27.06
Because US law protects you much better when you’re using borrowed money instead of cash, some situations might call for a credit card and some a debit.
Online Fraudster Interviewed
By 7.12.06
SmallWorldPodcast interviewed El Mariachi, a man who commits online fraud and identity theft. The interview reveals details about another scammer, Dillinger, who was involved with the ATM hacks of the ill-fabled “Russian Connection” scandal.
The News
By 7.11.06
• If you can’t have Lay, there’s always other chips to go with the fish. [CT] “Enron-related case means test for new treaty”
MasterCard’s New Logo Gets Goatse
By 7.10.06
Apparently, Mastercard really is for everything else, as communicated by its new logo.
Letters to the Editor: All That Glitters Is Not Gold
By 7.5.06
Some would envy Eilidh, being showered with golden jewelry by a male admirer.
Gaming Frequent Flyer Miles From Your Credit Card
By 6.23.06
Making a luxury purchase like a new car, a Nokia bling-phone, a face lift, a funeral, a blackmarket baby? Why not charge it to your airline-branded credit card and get yourself some free miles to boot?
Shamu Proves Retailers Don’t Care About Credit Card Signatures
By 6.20.06
Conclusive proof that signing your credit card slip is completely irrelevant: The Credit Card Prank II.
Frictionless Transaction Rubs the Wrong Way
By 6.17.06
The other day, Brian swiped his debit card at Academy sports and outdoor equipment palace. Being a good consumer, he always chooses credit over debit. However, instead of having to sign a screen or a slip, the cashier handed him his bags and receipt and said, “Thanks, have a good day.” No ID, no sig, nothing.
