Mini-Rant. I hate buying a bunch of stuff and then getting credit card alerts, "Did you charge $56.99 to WTF404 Computer Services?" Hell if I know. Probably, but not sure. I might have been drinking. So now my card is cancelled and I have to wait for another one. It might have been flight sim related (don't know what else I'd charge) but I wish vendors would give a clue about who they are to my credit card company. Is everything more complicated these days, or is it just my age showing?

A quick Google search turned up no businesses by the name of WTF404 Computer Services.  I know that offensive initials not allowed in internet and texting abbreviations mean "What The F-word" and 404 is a common HTTP error code that indicates a computer server was not found.

I've learned that as I get older, I need to write things down as it pertains to online purchases. Printing the receipts and filing them properly works as well.

1 hour ago, NormH3 said:

I've learned that as I get older, I need to write things down as it pertains to online purchases. Printing the receipts and filing them properly works as well.

I use the home finance program Quicken, enter transactions (takes seconds) as they occur, and check my accounts online each morning.  Five minutes a day saves hours of frustration later.

I archive all on-line purchase receipts in a "New Orders" sub-folder in my email client for quick review, then move them to a permanent "Completed Orders" sub-folder as they are delivered and accepted.

Any debit or credit card purchase I make will be confirmed within minutes with a follow up email from the financial services company I use confirming the transaction. It is as simple as authorizing those alerts to be sent to you for the applicable accounts. I generally receive the alert within five minutes of any transaction. Receiving an email to my cell phone may seem like a nuisance but it is helps to prevent fraudulent charges. A few years ago after purchasing gas on a road trip I received a second alert for a unauthorized purchase at a retail store. Apparently either the gas pump had a card skimmer installed on the pump or a clerk at the gas station had access to the transaction. Within minutes of the alert I called my card issuer who cancelled the unauthorized charge and had a new replacement card on the way with overnight service. The service is free and having online services anyway I always know the status of any financial account I use any hour of the day. I use Paypal for online flight sim purchases and their transaction alert shows up even before the vendor purchase confirmation does.

Edited November 23, 20205 yr by CW46

Most credit card companies have some sort of "charge alerting" system. I have all my cards (MC, Visa, and American Express) set up so that anytime there is a charge exceeding $10 I get an e-mail within a minute of the charge being made. Try it, you'll like it.

29 minutes ago, W2DR said:

Most credit card companies have some sort of "charge alerting" system. I have all my cards (MC, Visa, and American Express) set up so that anytime there is a charge exceeding $10 I get an e-mail within a minute of the charge being made. Try it, you'll like it.

Yep, I got an alert text while someone was in the checkout at a grocery store somewhere in Nevada trying to use my credit card number to buy stuff...reply "yes" if this is an authorized charge or "no" if it is not...the feedback loop was tight enough that they were able to decline the charge and alert the vendor in real time before he completed the checkout.