Credit Card Info, Unnecessary info kept by park(s)? Options

[rfarkle]

We recently stayed at Twin Falls 93 RV Park. Upon checking in, the manager swiped my credit card and received an authorization number okaying the charge. She then proceeded to write down my card number , expiration date and "secret number" (from the back of the card) on my registration form. This form includes my name, address and phone number. At the time she did it, I thought it was odd, but I was awake all night worrying about how the info could be used. The office was not particularly secure and people likely are in and out, plus the managers are probably not around 24/7. In the morning I emailed them asking them to destroy my credit card info and they said they would, however I am sure they will continue to collect the info from others. Please guard your credit card info and refuse attempts to keep permanent record of your info.

[Lindsay Richards]

It certainly wasn't worth losing sleep over. When you swipe your card, a copy of the number is kept for them anyway. Under the old imprint (knucklebuster) machines the merchant kept a copy with your signature on it. Now they keep a slip of paper with your signature on it or an electronic signature. They also contain your number, expiration date, and 3 digit number. Merchants need this information in case of a dispute which can happen. The first thing the credit card company wants is the signature and the 3 digit number to prove you were there. Disputes do happen and just because you swipe your card doesn't mean you get the money. The card holder has up to 60 days to dispute. This is just the cost of doing business in the modern world. If this is scary, you can always pay cash, but that has it's problems also. The main cause of credit card fraud is when someone takes your card away and swipes it with a card reader. Just takes a second. Your best defense is to always check your bill carefully and quickly.