Closer than we think?

[f6john]

This is not a conspiracy post. But my issue with Lowe’s got me to thinking about 666, the mark of the beast and our slide towards a cashless society. I started using a credit card on a regular basis due to the changes to gas pumps! Nothing is more frustrating than being a cash customer at most gas stations since you must pay before you pump. So that opened up for me more reasons to use credit cards for most purchases, restaurants and groceries and even clothes. About 20 years ago I was strictly cash but now even though I carry I seldom use cash except for small,purchases.

What irked me so much yesterday when my check was rejected is that the decision was totally arbitrary in nature and nothing to do with whether Lowe’s account would be credited when deposited. Direct deposite is the norm now, Lowe’s pays their people that way, social security payments are handled that way.

What happens when you present your debit card for payment and it’s rejected? What happens when you know you have/ had money in your account but you are told no you don’t? The possibilities are endless. Just food for thought.

[da prez]

  Several years ago I had a similar problem. I also got on the phone. After a long time with people who did not have English as a first language , I was told there is nothing wrong. I was a random target (not word they used) and it would take 45 days to clear up. If I did no wrong , then why. It seems my sons girlfriend used me as a credit reference and went belly up (again) on a loan. I took a hit on my credit because of someone used me as a reference? I want it corrected now. I got hung up on.
  Today (or yesterday) we opened a new credit card with a chip (which you must have if you travel out of this country) It is supposed to be tamper proof. Plus it pays a percent in returns. We pay it off each month and it is safer than a debit card. So far, so good.


                                                   da prez




                                           

[Serk]

...which is a prime example of why I'm such a big proponent of BitCoin or some other crypto currency.

The anonymity of cash, the reliability of cash, but the ability to spend it remotely online or in person is the real draw of it.

(And also why you're reading so much negative about it, the central banks, big private banks and governments are terrified of any crypto currency outside of their control really taking off and seeing widespread usage.)

[Gryphon Rider]

First of all, I wouldn't worry about being fooled into taking the "mark of the beast" (Revelation 13:15-18), as receiving the mark of the beast is always associated with worshipping the beast or its image, i.e. it identifies those who have knowingly submitted to worshipping the beast, thus giving them permission to buy and sell things.

Second, if the debit system is as robust and dependable in the U.S. as it is in Canada, problems are few and far between.  There are sometimes problems where a particular retailer has their debit system go down temporarily, and sometimes the system is unavailable for all customers of a particular bank, but problems with individuals not being able to use a debit card to access money that is in their account (and not "on hold" for some reason) are extremely seldom an issue.

When using your card, be sure to shield the keypad from the view of others (or hidden cameras) when punching in your PIN, and be sure the card reader looks legit, without a skimmer stuck to the outside of it that your card must pass through.

[old2soon]

Try using a debit card out of your particular area much less out of state with out informing the bank of your intentions.  You have NO idea it's been shut off til you attempt to use it somewhere. And then getting put on ignore-I REFUSE to call it hold-then you get a person whose first language is NOT English. My last road trip was to I-16 and even WHEN I informed the bank-U S Bank-that I was going travelin with my Debit Visa pulling up to gas pumps was as involved as using cash. Only about half the time would the pump reader take the information. Part of the reason I am a fan of the Murphy gas card. When I attempted to secure an auto loan recently I was informed while ALL my bills were indeed current and I OWNED both my vehicles I had NO Credit rating.  Now I am in the process of rebuilding my credit-cash AIN'T king-but after this billing cycle-the 2nd one-I'll need at least 2 more billing cycles and another look see at my credit rating to see IF I are back in good graces with-sigh-lending institutions.  While I have all my faculties about me I will NEVER Knowingly accept any chip they want to install in my person. RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Try using a debit card out of your particular area much less out of state with out informing the bank of your intentions.  You have NO idea it's been shut off til you attempt to use it somewhere. And then getting put on ignore-I REFUSE to call it hold-then you get a person whose first language is NOT English. My last road trip was to I-16 and even WHEN I informed the bank-U S Bank-that I was going travelin with my Debit Visa pulling up to gas pumps was as involved as using cash. Only about half the time would the pump reader take the information. Part of the reason I am a fan of the Murphy gas card. When I attempted to secure an auto loan recently I was informed while ALL my bills were indeed current and I OWNED both my vehicles I had NO Credit rating.  Now I am in the process of rebuilding my credit-cash AIN'T king-but after this billing cycle-the 2nd one-I'll need at least 2 more billing cycles and another look see at my credit rating to see IF I are back in good graces with-sigh-lending institutions.  While I have all my faculties about me I will NEVER Knowingly accept any chip they want to install in my person. RIDE SAFE.

I was a little worried about that on my trip to and from Virginia . I didn't take the time to inform the card company that I'd be traveling. I never had one issue anywhere.

[old2soon]

Rob-debit card or credit card? RIDE SAFE,

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob-debit card or credit card? RIDE SAFE,

It can be used as both. I mostly use it as debit. But sometimes the gas pumps automatically use it as credit.

[old2soon]

Last ride I made using that ferry into Arkansas we stopped at a Shell station for petrol. Right on the pump the price is higher for credit card/debit card usage. When I paid cash I got a rebate of X amount of cents per gallon. The Gal at the counter told me the price on the pump was for ALL plastic usage.  I personally REFUSE to pay extra for the "convenience" of using plastic. Course one of these days I'll have NO choice in the matter!  RIDE SAFE.

[Robert]

It will be a little while longer till there is the ability to control buying and selling like is talked about in revelation. The 5g system or the internet of things will have the ability to fulfill this type of system. The  crypto currencies are the transition for people to see how not using money and a test of the system to see if can fulfill the needs. It has been talked about that the code for Bitcoin and a few others was designed by the NSA.

 If you are talking about a true end of cash system hard assets are still the way to go. That will always be in style and will always be good for exchange.

If your debit card is rejected  make sure you have a credit card or cash to get by.

[The emperor has no clothes]

First of all, I wouldn't worry about being fooled into taking the "mark of the beast" (Revelation 13:15-18), as receiving the mark of the beast is always associated with worshipping the beast or its image, i.e. it identifies those who have knowingly submitted to worshipping the beast, thus giving them permission to buy and sell things.

Second, if the debit system is as robust and dependable in the U.S. as it is in Canada, problems are few and far between.  There are sometimes problems where a particular retailer has their debit system go down temporarily, and sometimes the system is unavailable for all customers of a particular bank, but problems with individuals not being able to use a debit card to access money that is in their account (and not "on hold" for some reason) are extremely seldom an issue.

When using your card, be sure to shield the keypad from the view of others (or hidden cameras) when punching in your PIN, and be sure the card reader looks legit, without a skimmer stuck to the outside of it that your card must pass through.

I've heard about them. I need to be more observant though. It's become so common place to slam your card into a hole these days. (About the only I get these days) 

[Alpha Dog]

Been a lot of skimmer around the Dayton area this year.  The news is always reporting them.  Do be careful.

[f6john]

My purpose in sharing my thought is this, it’s not a problem, till there’s a problem. Probably not a lot to do except keep yourself informed.

I have an aquaintenance that is married with no children and seems like a really good guy and he’s I suppose a survivalist. He invests his money in gold, guns, and food. He rotates his stockpile of food based on expiration dates. As it nears the expiration date he donates it to a food bank. My wife kind of rolled her eyes to the idea but I told her it’s a no lose situation for him. If he never needs his stockpile of goods he’s ok and if he does he will be a lot more prepared than I.

[Jess from VA]

I have trouble now with all the stores' credit card readers.

I keep asking the checkout girl.... is this a swipey or a pokey?

They get all offended like I was suggesting we swap fluids or something. 

[98valk]

It will be a little while longer till there is the ability to control buying and selling like is talked about in revelation. The 5g system or the internet of things will have the ability to fulfill this type of system. The  crypto currencies are the transition for people to see how not using money and a test of the system to see if can fulfill the needs. It has been talked about that the code for Bitcoin and a few others was designed by the NSA.

 If you are talking about a true end of cash system hard assets are still the way to go. That will always be in style and will always be good for exchange.

If your debit card is rejected  make sure you have a credit card or cash to get by.

Blockchain is the basis of a cashless total control system. only the global elitist know which final crypto that will be used.  most corps are using Ethereum and not bitcoin.

[Savago]

A perspective of how things are in other places...

Brazil moved way from checks in the very early 2000's, being all transactions done using credit/debit cards. Cards with chips were commonplace 10 to 11 years ago.

When I moved to USA in 2014, I had to web search 'how to write a check' as this was a long gone memory (i.e. the last check I signed was way back in 2001). Internet banking was really years behind, now is starting to catch up (or maybe my standards had lowered).

Behind in this ways:
a) Security: in 2007 my bank in Brazil had provided a security token keychain for 2-steps authenticating online login and online transactions.
b) Speed: small wires/transfers 'land' immediately or for bigger values at the end of the day.
c) Convenience: you can do or schedule an electronic payment for basically anything.

In Korea people use their phones (Samsung or iphones) to pay for everything. I was told in Japan is the same thing, but I never visited there so I can't confirm.

In Finland and UK cards with chips started to be adopted in 2008 onwards, being the norm in this days. When I visited Cambridge (UK) 2 years ago, vendors/waiters were really surprised to see my Bank of America card *without* a chip and would ask me if it was a temporary card.

Funny thing is that in *Germany*, people still pay most of things in cash. I guess it has to do with the government and banks screwing people a few times (i.e. devaluation of money, confiscation of funds) in last century.

Concerning the move to a cashless world: it is happening and there is no way back. Is that something good? Dunno.

I know that today most of my assets are just numbers in a computer terminal that the government/banks can simply erase with a single keystroke. Sounds a bit scary, no?

[The emperor has no clothes]

I know that today most of my assets are just numbers in a computer terminal that the government/banks can simply erase with a single keystroke. Sounds a bit scary, no?

I've thought about this over the years. Especially more as I near retirement.

[Robert]

 If you are talking about a true end of cash system hard assets are still the way to go. That will always be in style and will always be good for exchange.

Blockchain is the basis of a cashless total control system. only the global elitist know which final crypto that will be used.  most corps are using Ethereum and not bitcoin.

 


As for the cc readers on gas pumps and such the state puts a sticker on the pump also that if its missing then there may be a problem. Someone was actually able to stick a reader on the inside of the pump and transmit all the data.