Credit Card Security Number

[HAWK]

Dave, the point isn't that the system is broken but that it is outdated. I received a letter from a company that handles the accounting for the City of Chicago Ambulance Service. Seems that I gave my personal info to the paramedics when I had my accident at work, since I don't remember giving them my SS or other sensitive information that was stolen from the accounting service I think the paramedics went through my wallet. Long story short there are a lot of links in the chain between sealing the envelope and Fort Worth opening it, were one fo those links to break you might rethink your position and the fault would not be CCS's but the racer that sent their info all in one neat little package. If you've never had it happen to you count your blessings.

[Helmsman]

I completely agree that all the information being sent in one envelope is a disaster waiting to happen.  The fact that is hasn't happened i would say is more a mater of good fortune then real proof that there isn't a substantial risk of it happening.

Pay-pal is a GREAT idea IMO.  I would be willing to pay the couple percent more it would cost in order to use pay-pal if that is the issue.  Please show me if i am wrong, but i have yet to see complaints about pay-pal, and they must handle millions of transactions yearly.

[Super Dave]

Long story short there are a lot of links in the chain between sealing the envelope and Fort Worth opening it, were one fo those links to break you might rethink your position and the fault would not be CCS's but the racer that sent their info all in one neat little package. If you've never had it happen to you count your blessings.

I understand what you're saying. 

I have had the link broken, but never within the checks, mail, faxes, CC#'s, etc. between me and WERA, CCS, MRA, AHRMA, CRA, CMRA, LRRS, MCRA, etc.  I have had that information taken directly from the credit card company though.  And taken directly from my wallet out of my shorts at Road Atlanta. 

Don't attack the messenger.  :)

[twilkinson3]

I work in financial services mostly on application security, what all of you are saying is correct - but one thing to thing about further - the most recent loss of card information I'm aware of was from Mastercard itself, the only real protection you have is going through your charges monthly at a minimum and determining if there is anything on the list not yours, only deal with reputable websites (btw paypal is MUCH better now than in years past, you really don't want to know the old stories...), and make sure the mail you send is tightly closed and doesn't tell someone what is inside if at all possible - I do hope the sheets with the CCV/CCV2 (number on the back of the card) are being shredded, there are compliance rules set forth by the CC companies that dictate things like that (PCI complaince required bit) and if CCS hasn't seen the requirements yet it would be a good thing to take a quick peek at the document as more requirements are likely coming.

Just my humble input, but if the mail bit bugs you that much can always fax it in instead, that does cut down the number of hands it passes through.