Last 4 card numbers on receipts

[Anonymous]

Do they matter if a stranger gets a hold of your receipts?

Is it wise to tear them up, or can I just throw them away upon receiving a receipt without worrying?

[Dalanar]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Do they matter if a stranger gets a hold of your receipts?

Is it wise to tear them up, or can I just throw them away upon receiving a receipt without worrying?

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It's always wise to tear or shred receipts if you no longer need them.  Why give anyone more clues than  they should have.  If I'm not mistaken, when you call to report a stolen or lost card, the first 12 or so digits are usually the same and the bank just changes the last 4.  So if a thief knew what your first 12 digits were on your old card, they could use the last four on the receipts and produce your full credit card number.  (of course, they'd still won't know the cvc code on the back).

[mitchblue]

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@Dalanar wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Do they matter if a stranger gets a hold of your receipts?

Is it wise to tear them up, or can I just throw them away upon receiving a receipt without worrying?

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It's always wise to tear or shred receipts if you no longer need them.  Why give anyone more clues than  they should have.  If I'm not mistaken, when you call to report a stolen or lost card, the first 12 or so digits are usually the same and the bank just changes the last 4.  So if a thief knew what your first 12 digits were on your old card, they could use the last four on the receipts and produce your full credit card number.  (of course, they'd still won't know the cvc code on the back).

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One of the best purchases you can make is a shredder. Good one. Too many thiefs around..

[DantGwyrdd]

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Dalanar wrote

It's always wise to tear or shred receipts if you no longer need them.  Why give anyone more clues than  they should have.  If I'm not mistaken, when you call to report a stolen or lost card, the first 12 or so digits are usually the same and the bank just changes the last 4.  So if a thief knew what your first 12 digits were on your old card, they could use the last four on the receipts and produce your full credit card number.  (of course, they'd still won't know the cvc code on the back).

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And the new expiration date.

I wouldn't be too concerned, especially if you dispose of the old cards properly, but I'd definitely +1 on the shredder.

[Anonymous]

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@mitchblue wrote:

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@Dalanar wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Do they matter if a stranger gets a hold of your receipts?

Is it wise to tear them up, or can I just throw them away upon receiving a receipt without worrying?

---

It's always wise to tear or shred receipts if you no longer need them.  Why give anyone more clues than  they should have.  If I'm not mistaken, when you call to report a stolen or lost card, the first 12 or so digits are usually the same and the bank just changes the last 4.  So if a thief knew what your first 12 digits were on your old card, they could use the last four on the receipts and produce your full credit card number.  (of course, they'd still won't know the cvc code on the back).

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One of the best purchases you can make is a shredder. Good one. Too many thiefs around..

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I have a $300 shredder that's used for sensitive documents.

The thing about receipts is that I don't want to keep them when I receive them. I just throw it away upon receiving one. Too bad I can't carry a portable shredder. 

So I guess I should remember to tear up my card info on every receipt now. 

[Anonymous]

I have always wondered the same thing. I usually keep the receipts or tell the cashier to throw them away instead because no one will look inside the bin behind the counter.

[Glkslngr]

I never just throw a receipt in the garbage... I always shred. If a shredder is not readily avaiable, I hold the receipt over a flame if it is printed on thermal paper... might sound excessive, but I take my privacy seriously. lol

[mitchblue]

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@Glkslngr wrote:

I never just throw a receipt in the garbage... I always shred. If a shredder is not readily avaiable, I hold the receipt over a flame if it is printed on thermal paper... might sound excessive, but I take my privacy seriously. lol

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That's actually pretty awesome.