topic Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts in SmorgasBoard

Last 4 card numbers on receipts

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 04:26:39 GMT

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?

Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts

Dalanar — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 17:01:20 GMT

@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).

Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts

mitchblue — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 20:31:30 GMT

@Dalanar wrote:
@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).

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

Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts

DantGwyrdd — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 21:15:58 GMT

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).

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.

Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 23:04:33 GMT

@mitchblue wrote:
@Dalanar wrote:
@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).
One of the best purchases you can make is a shredder. Good one. Too many thiefs around..

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.

Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts

Anonymous — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 22:46:37 GMT

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.

Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts

Glkslngr — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 03:48:00 GMT

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

Re: Last 4 card numbers on receipts

mitchblue — Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:03:55 GMT

@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

That's actually pretty awesome.