December 27, 2008
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News: Post-Christmas Grinch.
In Canada they call it ‘boxer day' – the day when we box up exchanges and head back to the store. This is the best season for the credit card grinch. In all the frustration of long lines and bustling crowds, shoppers get complacent with their valuables. Leaving a purse on a food court table or just sitting for a minute to rest after standing in line so long becomes commonplace. The credit card grinches understand this well and they lie in wait for all the opportunities. This is a time when we let down our guard and allow clerks to hold on to our credit cards longer than usual.
So, for those who would become victims, keep this in mind and keep close tabs on your valuables. Police report that this is always one of their busiest times for responding to this kind of incident. The merry Christmas becomes ruined on the spot. Grinch strikes again! The frustration of the long lines is eclipsed by the loss of credit cards. If people would be more mindful of this, the police might get a little break, but this doesn't seem to be happening. Always, this time of year, people easily lose focus and let their guard down – "just the way the ‘grues' like it." The credit card grinches are waiting.
It's not a time to allow a clerk to walk out of sight with your credit card or to be in too much of a hurry to check your new receipt. Double-check that your card is on you before leaving the counter. There is much distraction and it may have been out of your possession for a while. You could have left the store before needing it again and missing it. Then you'd be ‘in a pickle'. Of course, you would notify your lending institution promptly and your liability would only be $50, but what a hassle. Debit cards and cash don't give you such protection. Losing a wallet or purse is the worst. Silly as it may sound, making Xeroxes of vital documents can provide incredible relief for those unlucky victims – and there will be many. It's even a good idea to alert credit bureaus ahead of time if further damage seems imminent.