Re: [edlug] intercepting emails

["Gordon Dick" <edlug@xxx.xxx.xxx>]

> flight on my card. They would never be traceable
> unless I check my credit card statement before they
> board (or if we are going to assume the airline more
> capable, leave) the plane, and alert the airline of
> the fraud.

However that is the problem for the airline, not yourself.  If a
fraudulent transaction is made on your credit card then it is the company
that will lose out not the credit card holder or the bank.  Unless they
have proof you made the transaction which often includes the 3 digit
security code on the back of your card in customer not present
transactions and signature/PIN in a customer present transaction.  Note
that often shops reject cards that don't swipe because of a damaged
magnetic strip - this is because if they key the transaction in they now
have an extra burden of proof in chargeback claims to show that the card
was actually in the shop at the time. (Obviously if caught doing
illegitimate chargebacks prosecution is likely.)

> to them that they should put some pressure on the
> airline, or stop trading with them, and meanwhile
> supply a new credit card for me!

How do you know it is the same bank that you use that supplies their
merchant services account?  Whether or not we like it I suspect losing one
consumer credit card is nothing to them compared to the transactions made
regularly by any airline on a merchant account.  Banks have never been
champions of the consumer why are they going to start now?


> Based on your comments, it seems that my suspicions
> are correct, and that a lot of customers are at risk
> of having other people book flights on the formers'
> money.

No... on the airlines money not the customers.

There is a risk of online credit card fraud but it really isn't as scary
for the consumer as people make out, the law in the UK protects consumers
from credit being applied to their accounts fraudulently.  That is not to
say business shouldn't be extra careful with your credit card details
however it is in most cases them (or their insurers) that take the hit of
the fraud so it is a business decision as to how much risk to take.  If
they accept debit cards and have the same system this is somewhat more
scary as the consumer credit laws don't apply to them in the same way as
they are not credit.  A more serious concern would be if you could log
into that site and see your card details in full so that someone could
take them to another web site to carry out the fraud.

Best regards,
Gordon
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