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9:26 pm
November 13, 2009
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Pete
| | WV | |
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Not the happiest of topics, but the results of having a purse or wallet stolen are even worse. Ran into some very good hints, and some worthwhile reminders, about how to protect yourself from having a purse stolen while out shopping:
http://www.frugalvillage.com/2…..-shopping/
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Anulos qui animum ostendunt omnes gestemus!
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10:20 pm
November 13, 2009
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CindyP
| | Hart, MI | |
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Very good hints………I have become tired of carrying the purse, always keeping track of it, worrying about it!! I take my id and my atm card. I have what I might need out of my purse in my glove box. If I really need something, I run out to the car!
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“Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won’t have time to make them all yourself.” ― Alfred Sheinwold
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11:10 pm
November 13, 2009
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Suzanne McMinn
| | Sassafras Farm in Roane County, WV | |
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I love the debit card because it's so much easier and smaller to carry around than a checkbook! It's hard to imagine life before the debit card…..
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11:11 pm
November 13, 2009
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Suzanne McMinn
| | Sassafras Farm in Roane County, WV | |
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That makes me think of a fun topic to start–
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1:13 am
November 14, 2009
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pamb
| | Midwestern Ohio | |
| Banty | posts 7 | |
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We're not big on debit cards. Ern does the shopping & can use the ATM card, with a pin number, at the various groceries and Pet Smart. But we're not comfortable with a card that debits without a pin number. One of the writers on the Columbus loop had her debit card stolen at Applebee's this week & the $1800 in her checking account drained before morning.
Said Chicken Little. (g) Truth is, few are stolen compared to all that are used.
And I'm usually such a Pollyanna. 
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8:31 am
November 14, 2009
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Pete
| | WV | |
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| posts 7873 | |
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It took me forever to get my head around using the debit card. It just seemed so EVIL! Then the light came on, and I got that carrying around a checkbook, giving them all the info they needed, including the address made much less sense. Plus it's faster.
Never heard of a debit card without a PIN. Of course, you can use them as a credit card, but then they get your signature. Which way I do it depends often on how many people are around, and whether I can shield the numbers being input from onlookers.
Years ago a friend working bank card security told us to never sign your name on a credit card, but instead to print "Ask for ID" Makes sense, when it occurs that if your card is stolen there is no signature to copy, so a forgery would be much more obvious.
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Anulos qui animum ostendunt omnes gestemus!
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3:08 pm
November 14, 2009
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Leahld22
| | Newburgh, IN | |
| Superstar | posts 2673 |
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I just put my pin in REAL fast!
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Life is too important to be taken too seriously.
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6:02 pm
November 14, 2009
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Helen
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| Super Chicken | posts 582 | |
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I don't use debit cards, and dislike the whole idea of going “cashless” because: 1)Merchants, as well as banks, can sneak in all sorts of charges under the radar and basically nickle-and-dime you to death. 2)The card belongs to the bank, not to you, and although it is theorectically “your” money, they can take the card away if you start to use it in a way that the bank considers “unusual” (whatever that means).
As for foiling a purse thief, don't carry your money in your purse, and only bring enough for your planned purchases, plus a little bit more in the event of an emergency. Try carrying your money on another part of your person, like in a front pocket, pinned shut. In other words, the best protection against a thief, is learning to think like a thief.
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George Orwell – 1984
- Orthodoxy means not thinking–not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.
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3:04 pm
November 15, 2009
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Shells
| | Vancouver Island, British Columbia | |
| Superstar | posts 1184 | |
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Having been the victim of a mugging and purse snatching in January, 2007, I will guarantee that there is nothing you can do .. if the thief wants your purse, they are taking your purse, big purse or little …. they will get it. They will get whats in it … so the only way to foil a purse snatching is to not carry a purse at all, but that means I wouldn't carry lipstick or kids pictures or keys or …. so for me, not carrying a purse isn't really an option.
I was mugged in broad daylight on a Tuesday morning while walking to have a coffee while my car was having the windshield fixed. Two men approached on the sidewalk, and as they got just past me they grabbed my purse by my shoulder strap, pulled me to the ground and then pushed me on the shoulder. He either pushed me to make me let go or to push me out of his way because by then it had attracted attention of the drivers on the street. I grabbed my purse and there was a bit of a tug-of-war and while the police tell you to just let them have it without a fight I didn't even think about that …. I wanted my purse and they were not getting it.
I had the sense of mind to pick myself up off the ground (they (there were 2) were charged with assault) and give chase and some young lady driving by clued in to what was happening and gave chase …. I saw them running across an empty lot and I just memorized what they were wearing … and could give the police a very accurate description. They were caught within 10 minutes by the police dog (I was praying he would get in one good bite before the officers got there but no such luck).
I spent several days in court …. they were charged and pled guilty. They were from out of the province and were given a jail sentence, probation and not allowed back into BC for 2 years.
So …. my purse … still contains my credit card (which I can cancel), my debit card (which needs a PIN), some cash in a hidden pocket and all the other things I carry…… my ipod, my cell phone, my make-up. I still carry the same purse, it was a Christmas gift in '06 from a dear friend, the strap that broke has been fixed. I didn't carry it for a long time but what a waste of a beautiful purse.
Purse snatchings are a crime of opportunity, they saw an opportunity and took it ….. I am just glad it was me and not the 80 year old lady behind me, she could have been seriously injured.
It took me a long time to be able to walk the street and not be afraid …. especially at night, altthough this happened during the day.
And, my biggest concern was that they would get my keys and my address ….. so many pieces of ID have your home address and of course your keys are in your purse.
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4:36 pm
November 15, 2009
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Helen
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| Super Chicken | posts 582 | |
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That is a wonderfully realisitic answer to the propossed question "What can we do to foil a purse thief" because sometimes the answer truely is "Nothing" since like it or not, sometimes reality just  . I'm just glad that you were not hurt and that the thieves were caught (a fairly rare occurance, I've heard). I'm also glad you gave chase  .
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George Orwell – 1984
- Orthodoxy means not thinking–not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.
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4:50 pm
November 15, 2009
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Pete
| | WV | |
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On the other hand, it is impossible to have stolen that which you are not carrying. We each decide what risks we are willing to take based on whatever criteria we wish to use.
Very glad, Shells, that the outcome was as good as it could have been under these circumstances. While the decision to continue to carry that purse may not be the one I would make, I completely support your decision to not give up the power to carry that purse just because it means something to you.
Guess my entire point in posting this topic was to get us thinking about the decisions we make in regard to what we carry, when and why. There is no universal right or wrong way.
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Anulos qui animum ostendunt omnes gestemus!
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4:12 pm
June 24, 2011
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TeaCup
| | New England | |
| Big Chicken | posts 84 | |
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I carry a wallet, tucked under my arm and my keys in my hand (or sometimes on my belt loop). That's it. The only time I'll carry a bag these days (bad back) is if I'm traveling overnight. Years ago, my dad got me this leather satchel thingy to take to Europe. When I'm carrying that, my wallet is still usually under my arm.
Once you get used to the idea of NOT carrying a tissue, makeup, etc. with you it isn't that hard, but it DID take some time to get used to it!
Judi
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4:31 pm
June 24, 2011
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anna
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| Hatchling | posts 1 | |
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I know this is an old topic, but wanted to share a safety tidbit I recently heard on Dave R.'s show. Most bank cards are now debit/credit cards. Meaning you have the option to either enter a PIN or sign for your purchase. BOTH options debit the money directly from your account- the huge difference is that if you choose the "credit" option of payment (signature required), then the transaction is covered under credit card security and fraud options, just like a true credit card, AND is processed over secure lines.
IF you choose to use your PIN, and either the information is hacked or someone is able to take your card & use your PIN, then the bank pretty much says too bad- no fraud protection for you.
BUT if you choose credit and sign for your purchase, and the information is stolen & used, then you have complete fraud protection just as with a true credit card.
Moral of the story- Dave R says to choose credit- but only if using your debit/credit card linked to your bank account for safety.
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8:40 pm
June 24, 2011
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bonita
| | IL | |
| Mighty Chicken | posts 416 | |
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Yup, I gave up purses years ago. Bad back and just plain lazy, I guess! When I worked in an office, I had the necessaries in one of the desk drawers. Now that I work at home, I take only wallet and keys out of the house, sometimes just keys and a card case for DL and one credit card. (tissues etc and in glove compartment)
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11:40 pm
June 24, 2011
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Journey11
| | Mt. Alto, WV | |
| Big Chicken | posts 61 | |
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I nearly had my purse stolen in the grocery store the other day. It was late in the evening and I was so tired and out of it with my 4-yr-old acting like a goof-ball and touching everything–I was an easy target. Normally in this small town, I wouldn't worry so much about it and I had my purse in the seat of the shopping buggy. I turned around just in time to see the kid turn on his heel and walk away briskly. He was only a couple feet from my cart! Close one! 
If I have pockets in my clothes, it's just easier to put my keys, bank card and cell phone in my pocket. That's what I usually do in busy public places like a theme park. Now I'll be doing that anywhere I go in this rinky-dink little town!
Also, my bank charges you 25 cents per purchase if you use debit. So I always use credit. Good to know it has other perks as well.
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Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do , do it with thy might…
(Ecc. 9:10a)
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5:17 am
June 25, 2011
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MrsFuzz
| | Colorado | |
| Mighty Chicken | posts 261 | |
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As a police officer, the best advice I can give anyone sounds pretty simple, but is difficult to put into practice. This applies not only for your purse, but your person, your house, & your family. The absolute best thing you can do is BE AWARE! Pay attention to who is around you, and what they are doing. Criminals are looking for the most gain for the least amount of work/attention/confrontation/hassle. WATCH the people around you and what they are doing. Make eye contact! Walk with your head up and your eyes constantly moving, keeping track of what is going on around you. Don't text on your phone, fiddle with your Ipod, sit with your nose in a book, or become totally absorbed in the buttons on the ATM. You'd be surprised what you can deter with something as simple as a firm, direct look at a na'er-do-well that tells him or her that you are paying attention and are not an easy target. Nine times out of 10, this is enough for the crook to move on to easier prey.
Having said all this, even as a police officer, it's impossible to be 100% vigilant 100% of the time. Do the best you can, and remember these two cardinal rules: Don't do stupid things in stupid places with or around stupid people; and NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT (can you tell by my emphasis how important this is???).
You may end up being a victim at some point, I know I have been. As the previous poster says, sometimes people won't be deterred no matter what. Then you have to try to minimize the loss & the damage, and try to understand that sometimes, the Universe poops on our heads for no particular reason at all.
Anyhow, just my $.02.
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Wearing cowboy boots does not make one an agriculturist….Having at least 3 varieties of poop on them does.
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7:43 am
June 25, 2011
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BuckeyeGirl
| | N.E. Ohio | |
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Thank you MrsFuzz!
When I was in the military, the first and last sentence of my briefing whether duty related where there was 'that' sort of danger, or when an airman was going home on leave, (yes, there's briefings for vacation too), was… "Don't be stupid." And I'd make them repeat it back to me. It got so when the 'kids' left work for the day, they'd say to me, "Yeah I know, don't be stupid."
Once when I got to an emergency room to be there for one of my troops he said, "Sarge, I'm sorry, I was stupid." He was mostly ok, but went back and told the others I was right, he shouldn't have been stupid. I was sorry he was hurt, but glad he was alive and maybe helped others think for just a moment "Is this stupid?" before they made that last move.
In between the first and last sentences was the talk about situational awareness. Watching where you are, who is around, and what is happening. It really all boiled down to "don't be stupid" though.
This isn't a means of reassigning the blame of the thief to the purse holder. It's not saying it's your fault for not seeing something, as MrsFuzz said, you can't see em all, and bad guys are just better at seeing you as prey than you are at seeing others as dangerous. It's that moment when you realize "oh poop! I missed that!" or something similar.
I live in a small town now where eye contact is a given. You say hello to everyone, and a stranger stands out like a sore thumb, we actually do have 'bad guys' around here though, but they don't do bad things much right here because we all look each other in the eye. I still try to remember "Don't be stupid." even now though.
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If tomatoes are a fruit, then isn’t ketchup technically a
smoothie?
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1:12 pm
June 25, 2011
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mamajoseph
| | Kenya | |
| Mighty Chicken | posts 366 | |
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You don't even want to know what people here will do to a thief. Vigilante justice is alive and well where I live.
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I (sorta) have a farm in Africa.
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1:13 pm
June 25, 2011
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MrsFuzz
| | Colorado | |
| Mighty Chicken | posts 261 | |
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Would you like a new neighbor? :D
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Wearing cowboy boots does not make one an agriculturist….Having at least 3 varieties of poop on them does.
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4:49 pm
June 25, 2011
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gakaren
| | S.W. Ga., USA | |
| Mighty Chicken | posts 258 | |
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Years ago I had a friend who had her purse stolen.
She was in her car, stopped at a red light….had the windows down part way because it was a nice day. A fellow reached in the passenger window, grabbed her purse & ran. Of course, by the time the light had changed and the car ahead of her had moved & she turned the corner…he was LONG gone.
After that….my wallet is a credit card wallet in my back pocket (I nearly always have on pants w/pockets). It carries my ID & cash folded to fit in along with a couple of credit cards. I do often carry a purse…but guess what they get if they steal that… not much!
I don't use debit cards! I'm old fashioned and will still use my checks! I prefer to keep track of my purchases & know at all times the balance in my account! For some things I will use a credit card…especially if it is something I might need the CC coverage for later.
After having worked retail for 30+ years…Mrs. Fuzz gave the best advice…BE AWARE! I've seen it turn shoplifters in the stores many, many times! They think better of it when they realize someone might be watching them! And BTW, if you see someone shoplift….REPORT IT! VERY seldom is anyone who reports it brought into a court if the person is caught. Just keep in mind that retailers price items with the theft percentages added into their markups….so if we help prevent theft it will help keep prices lower a bit longer! (I know, they will still go up sometime.  )
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If I learned something today, the day wasn't a waste!
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