Here in the United States of Hackmerica (everyone wave to the NSA and give your pin numbers to Target!), at least some companies are guaranteeing the security of their customers.
Sort of.
Exhibits A and B: These full-page ads in the New York Times.
First, let’s give a standing O to MasterCard.
Notice the asterisk attached to the zero liability program: *Does not apply to MasterCard PIN debit transactions or corporate cards. Restrictions apply.
We’ll bet they do.
Next up, VISA’s got you covered.
Hey, look – VISA also has a zero liability policy, also with an asterisk: *Covers U.S.-issued cards only. Does not apply to ATM transactions, certain commercial card transactions, PIN or other transactions not processed by VISA.
Okay then.
Feeling better yet?
Gee, I feel so much better, now. I’m more concerned about hackers stealing my identity and attacking my credit life, than running up charges on my existing credit card. Also, what about those retail firms that knew about this during the Xmas shopping season and kept their mouths shut lest it ruin their bottom lines? Running warm and fuzzy ads does nothing to correct that problem. I think TJX was guilty of the same thing when it happened to them a year or so ago.
So, we’re right at where we started from except that the ad agencies and the NY Times took in a bundle.
And we wonder how the wealthy stay wealthy!
Credit where credit’s due, eh, Mudge?
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