Buying things with your own money appears to be considered 'suspicious activity' now.

[FamoFunk]

My debit card (ATM/bank card) got blocked because of, "Suspicious activity" this suspicious activity was me buying Peppa Pig books, a few DVDs and a Birthday present...

I think I should refrain from buying anything, cash or card, I'm just too suspicious.

 

[Batou667]

My debit card (ATM/bank card) got blocked because of, "Suspicious activity" this suspicious activity was me buying Peppa Pig books, a few DVDs and a Birthday present...

I think I should refrain from buying anything, cash or card, I'm just too suspicious.

Well, to be fair this was probably because you were spending considerably more than you usually do, which many banks automatically flag-up as suspected card fraud - a pain in the *ss but ultimately it's for your benefit, not theirs. It seems weird though that your bank wouldn't anticipate more spending around Christmas.

 

[FamoFunk]

My debit card (ATM/bank card) got blocked because of, "Suspicious activity" this suspicious activity was me buying Peppa Pig books, a few DVDs and a Birthday present...

I think I should refrain from buying anything, cash or card, I'm just too suspicious.

Well, to be fair this was probably because you were spending considerably more than you usually do, which many banks automatically flag-up as suspected card fraud - a pain in the *ss but ultimately it's for your benefit, not theirs. It seems weird though that your bank wouldn't anticipate more spending around Christmas.

Very true, and it is a good idea; rather than finding out all your money has vanished; much hassle to be saved.

I just though it was hilarious that Peppa Pig books were a cause of concern for fraud

 

[Batou667]

I just though it was hilarious that Peppa Pig books were a cause of concern for fraud

Top 5 Indicators of Credit Card Fraud:

- Purchasing large quantities of grey-market medication
- Signing up to premium-rate hardcore adult websites
- Transferring funds to unknown PayPal accounts
- Large donations to right-wing or terrorist-funding associations
- Ordering Peppa Pig merchandise

 

[wrightguy0]

I refuse to use a credit card until i can get, and hold down a job that pays more than minimum wage, I cannot afford one, nor do i want the burden of one at this time. I Believe in the old method of saving and budgeting in order to have enough for what i want to buy, you knoe, the smart way of doing things.

This add is just another way of coning fearful americans into relying more on a system that keeps them poor and gets their identities stolen.

 

[DeltaEdge]

So, I just found this brilliant piece of fear-mongering <youtube=lolnRc1_3Hk&context=C3c6da2bADOEgsToPDskLtr2DTcPJCticR0iw0f1lL>
and I just have no idea what to say.
Are people seriously this paranoid?

Yeah, people are this paranoid. Quite common actually. The sad thing is, that they have good reason for being so paranoid as well. We have made it so that way you cannot trust anyone which caused people to be suspicious of things like that. Just like with airports. People thing we are going overboard with the security at airports and complain about how it's too invasive, but if we were to let up, then there really would be more bombings and terrorist threats because people will take advantage of that. It's not a good thing, but it's necessary to have this level of invasive security in order to prevent such things as fraud and violence and "nip them in the bud" before it becomes a bigger problem.

So in short, yes, we are paranoid as hell. But we are completely justified in this level of precaution because you really can't trust people nowadays. Sad, but true.

 

[Chemical Alia]

My bank blocks my debit card whenver I travel. I'm in PA visiting my parents and I just had to call and confirm that the "suspicious activity" was just Christmas shopping in another state. I'm grateful that the bank takes extra precaution in this way. Though they did block my debit card recently too when I bought like 15 lbs of fudge at the Texas state fair, lol.

 

[Naeras]

Am I the only one who thought "gee, this is like taken straight out of Little Brother" when I saw that video?

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Well, when you use a credit or debit card it says on your bank statement (and likely in the store's computer system) who you are, when you made a purchase, what you purchased, the time you purchased said item, etc. Whereas when you use cash the only info they have is what was bought, in what quantity and, when but not by whom. I guess the people who are able to access this store/ bank information want people to use cards so they can be more easily monitored. Still, I call bullcrap, if someone wants to build a bomb or something only an idiot would charge the essential items on one transaction to his debit card.

 

[Hawk of Battle]

You know something is wrong in the world when money is no longer good enough to pay for things... that cost MONEY!

 

[Burs]

The future to where this will lead

Receptionist: "Sir do you have a credit card?"

Me:"No I have a debit card though?"

receptionist runs off to manager

Receptionist: "Sir, he wont pay with a credit card AND HE's ENGLISH" D=

Me: "Welsh actually..."

I get Arrested by Homeland Security for failure to get into debt =D

sorry XD

 

[Sean Steele]

Most hotels make you submit a credit card in case you damage the room. IMO

 

[Saltyk]

This isn't just paying in cash. There are a lot of vaguely suspicious circumstances in this video. For example, his ID is stated to feel wrong. The video even mentions a list of warning signs, like appearing nervous.

And looking at the environment, that's not some shitty little motel. I think its a four star hotel at the least. Even staying a few weeks at a Motel 6 would add up to a couple hundred or even thousand dollars. Staying in a nicer hotel would probably add up to several thousand dollars. And paying several thousand dollars in advance, IN CASH, is odd. Who carries that much in cash?

If you were to mug me, you'd be lucky to get 100 dollars off me, assuming I even had cash. I don't have a credit card, either. But I do have a debit card. Paying with a debit card is basically the same thing, but less suspicious.

Admittedly, the video is a little odd and borders on fear mongering, but I don't think it is that bad. You're kinda taking it out of context.