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Jeremy SimonLooking for stories about credit scoring, economic data or card crime? Then keep an eye out for my articles and blogs, which frequently focus on those topics. I've been with CreditCards.com since June 2006, working as a staff reporter and steadily increasing my knowledge of payment cards and personal debt. I've learned a lot and continue to do so, having only gotten myself a credit card a few years back. A Texas transplant enjoying live music, barbecue and everything else Austin has to offer, I spent most of my formative years in the Northeast. I graduated with an English degree from Vassar College, before taking a job with Thomson Financial in New York City, where I wrote about stock markets from the same building where Bud Fox worked in "Wall Street" (he strolled through the lobby, that is). Since moving to Austin, my writing career has included an internship in the editorial department of Texas Monthly and the chance to tackle freelance assignments for several local publications. Writing for a consumer audience is key to what I do -- so don't hesitate to offer any suggestions or thoughts you may have!
Welcome to the latest installment of my weekly collection of stories of credit card fraud and other crimes of the plastic persuasion. Today we have stolen breast augmentation and liposuction, a church secretary who took more than just dictation and some people who aren't above stealing from needy kids.
Plastic doesn't stand still. Creative people continue to push payment cards in new directions, from allowing use of a prepaid card for medical marijuana purchases to accepting credit card payments on your iPhone. We've got these and other wacky, wonderful innovations and gadgets below.
Just in time for Halloween, I'm bringing you the lucky thirteenth edition of my ongoing look at dumb, outrageous and horrifying crimes committed involving credit cards.
A lost credit card appears to have unveiled some dirty politics in the contest for Arizona's third congressional district, pitting incumbent Rep. John Shadegg (R) against Bob Lord (D).
It's time for another collection of tales of credit card offenses. This week, stories in the spotlight feature forged doctor's notes, unauthorized purchases of bubble gum and socks and indications that crooks love libraries and college.
While it won't magnify the fine print on your cardholder agreement, this credit card-sized pocket light could nevertheless make your day just a little brighter.
Are credit card thieves attempting to revive a slowing economy? Consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the United States economy, so recent data indicating that consumers are putting away their credit cards is cause for concern. While cardholders may not be using their plastic, thieves are. At least that's what our latest round of credit card crime tales suggests.
Anger in limited amounts or appropriate situations is fine, experts say. So this week's Criminal Charges will be dedicated to outrage. Cardholder negligence, real estate and banks all get some of that emotion directed at them.
Tales of credit card crime often lack that key ingredient in many exciting dramas: the chase scene. I've tried to make up for that sad situation this week with stories that include criminals attempts to evade the long arm of the law. Did these criminals get away from police? You'll have to read below to find out.
HSBC credit card users who register their accounts for online access and/or elect to receive paperless statements will be entered into a sweepstakes to win a 2008 Saturn AURA Hybrid. "The HSBC Simply Green Sweepstakes is a way of saying thank you to our customers for going green, and further leverages HSBC’s commitment to offer environmental-friendly products and services to its customers," according to an HSBC press release. The sweepstakes runs from Sept. 1 through Nov. 17, 2008.
By my wishful math, two times the crime should equal two times the excitement: This week's round-up of credit card infractions doubles up, with either criminal pairs or individual law breakers that cause twice the trouble on their own.
Turkey's Haber 7 reports the country's police on Friday arrested "Cha0," an infamous hacker who stands accused of marketing a high-quality ATM skimmer that enabled fraudsters to rip off consumers' credit card and debit card information.
Credit card crimes happen all across the country, but this week I've decided to focus on those stories from the East Coast of the United States. We've got generous thieves from the Bronx, an extreme example of customer service from a New York-based Circuit City, illegal window tints and strange smells yielding fake credit cards in Florida and theft victims who just don't take my advice in North Carolina.
So far in this column, I haven't shown much love for criminals that make credit cards either the tools or targets of their trade. This week, however, I'm asking you to crank up the Barry White, pour a glass of fine champagne and set your computer down next to the fireplace (just not too close to the fire) because that all changes with the "romance edition" of Criminal Charges.
Adding to the chorus of voices suggesting you should expect less generous credit card terms, Lehman Brothers issued a report this week that looked at American Express, Capital One and Discover.
In this week's edition of Criminal Charges, I put the spotlight on two types of credit card crime: One is a frequent (and easily preventable) form of straightforward card theft, while the other involves aluminum foil, ladders and gas station satellite dishes.
An ABC News producer arrested earlier this week outside the Democratic National Convention found the fastest route to freedom was through his corprorate credit card.
Hundreds of people recently chose debit cards over guns during recent firearm exchange programs in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Chicago. Local law enforcement in those cities distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in J.P. Morgan prepaid debit cards to citizens in exchange for more than 7,500 working firearms -- no questions asked.
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They're the pieces of plastic we love, and love to hate. Get the latest news, tips, research and more from the CreditCards.com staff.
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