I can see why saying "YES" over the phone can be dangerous

[question everything]

We have heard about it.

We are dinosaurs - say it up front. We use landline, AT&T. (Also iPhones.)

I was having hard time paying online so I called the customer service. Before I was asking for a live person to complain I was offered the option of paying while on the phone and I say... YES.

And so it went. Provided the card number, the amount to be paid and said YES several times.

I don't think I need to worry. I initiated the call but still..

Sometimes I miss the pre digital times.

[Deuxcents]

1. Please check to be sure your payment was received

You don’t want to know what happened to my friend just last week.. same scenario. 60 Minutes had a segment on this and the expert kept saying to never say YES into a recording

[question everything]

2. Unfortunately, even when the online payment go through it takes several business days to clear the bank

Though I do get an email and a text thanking me..

Will see.

[usonian]

3. So, the propane company sent me this:

and I quote:

Recent Scam Attempts to Our Customers

Dear Valued *** Customer,

As a family-owned company, your trust means everything to us. We are reaching out to make you aware of an active phone payment scam that is targeting propane customers in our area. We want to make sure you have the information you need to protect yourself.


WHAT IS HAPPENING

Scammers have created fraudulent phone listings online that appear to be *** customer service numbers. When a customer calls one of these fake numbers, the scammers use the information you give them to obtain your real account balance from our office — then pose as *** to collect a payment from you directly. Because they have your correct balance, the call can seem completely legitimate.


HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Always verify our number before calling. Only use phone numbers found on your billing statement or at ***.com. Do not rely on numbers found through a general internet or Google search.


WHAT WE’RE DOING

We have reinforced identity verification procedures across all our offices to prevent our systems from being used in this scheme. We are actively working to identify and report fraudulent listings impersonating *** online.

WHAT I'M DOING

Since I get propane every few months, I pay by check in the mail. And since they cutely stopped printing invoices, I print my own from the pdf in the email, and requested that they send me printed invoices, like they USED to do, thank you.

And my email to them AFTER they sent the scam warning was:

I've been printing them out and the printer is not behaving well.
I strictly limit the number of online accounts because each one exposes my information to identity theft.

It's not a matter of IF an online account gets hacked. It's a matter of WHEN.

Each is a risk that usually exceeds any benefits or postage stamps saved.

The fewer the better.

And that's exactly the case.
Warn me about online scams and I reiterate my stance of snail mailing a check every few months.

Each (online account) is a risk that usually exceeds any benefits or postage stamps saved.

And I'm a techie, since the first electric motor kit I bought at the Museum of Science!

[Initech]

4. Verizon twice screwed me on signing up for their "whole home protection plan".

Which is something that you absolutely don't need and is another bullshit way of screwing you out of your money. I caught them twice after I called technical support signing me up against my will for it, and I made them cancel it both times. It was a nightmare. Fuck that bullshit.