Credit card numbers, do you leave them on your card exclusively?

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,358
9,240
136
I used to use a utility that would spit out a string, and I used that for a credit card number or two. I stopped using that utility (it had a lot more power than spitting back strings) because progressive versions of Windows made it ever more difficult to use (it hasn't been in development for many years). Now, I know that's not the safest thing to do, obviously potentially your CC number could be pilfered.

Do you pull out your plastic CC every time you use it?
Commit the number(s) to memory?

I figure there may be some way to safely encrypt a CC number on your computer and spit it back when using it online, but for all I know this is a pipe dream at best. Can you use a password maintenance program for that? What do you think/do?
 
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ControlD

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2005
5,440
44
91
I pull my CC out every time I use it these days. However, I know that many password managers also have credit card entries so you can store the numbers in your encrypted database. Back when I was using CodeWallet as a manager I had my CC numbers stored in there and I never needed to pull out my physical card. Somehow I got away from that when I moved to KeePass.
 

kranky

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
21,019
156
106
I assume you're talking about online purchases only? I use a feature on my Citi card called Virtual Account Number. It generates one-time use numbers (with a dollar limit if I set one) so my real card number is never used online. I think Discover has (or used to have) a similar service.
 

disappoint

Lifer
Dec 7, 2009
10,132
382
126
I have my card number memorized. I did have to pull it out the first few times I used it, before mesmerising it though.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
I have my main one memorized.
I didn't know people used software to remember their numbers for online use.

All my main online vendors have the number saved anyway.
 

Markbnj

Elite Member <br>Moderator Emeritus
Moderator
Sep 16, 2005
15,682
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www.markbetz.net
I figure there may be some way to safely encrypt a CC number on your computer and spit it back when using it online

It's called a digital wallet. Microsoft and Google, at least, have versions of the idea. I don't know if any of them have taken off to the point of getting any widespread use.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,236
1,722
126
Ehh, I wind up getting a new number every 6 months or so because somebody has to get hacked. I have it saved at a few stores, like Amazon. But mostly I just pull the card out. By the time I memorize it, I get a new one in the mail with a different number.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
Ehh, I wind up getting a new number every 6 months or so because somebody has to get hacked. I have it saved at a few stores, like Amazon. But mostly I just pull the card out. By the time I memorize it, I get a new one in the mail with a different number.

this.
 

Imp

Lifer
Feb 8, 2000
18,828
184
106
I memorized my first CC... then I got new ones and changed to a new card every year, got tired. I make an effort not to remember them anymore.
 

AznAnarchy99

Lifer
Dec 6, 2004
14,695
117
106
I assume you're talking about online purchases only? I use a feature on my Citi card called Virtual Account Number. It generates one-time use numbers (with a dollar limit if I set one) so my real card number is never used online. I think Discover has (or used to have) a similar service.

I use this for free trials that require a credit card. After the trial is done and they try to auto-charge, it gets declined so I never have to worry about canceling on time.

Other than that, I could care less if someone steals my credit card info. All my banks catches them, blocks the charge, cancels the card, and overnights me a new card.
 
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
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I use KeePass (encrypted database) that stores:
-Website Logins
-Bank Logins
-Email Logins
-Travel/Rewards Logins
-Credit Cards w/ Expiration/Security ID.

Very handy overall I've found. The more I go in life the more logins we seem to generate. I'd rather keep track of them all rather than trying to fuck with remembering them all. I have 20+ Credit cards, the last thing I would try is memorization.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,553
8,833
126
I use KeePass (encrypted database) that stores:
-Website Logins
-Bank Logins
-Email Logins
-Travel/Rewards Logins
-Credit Cards w/ Expiration/Security ID.

Very handy overall I've found. The more I go in life the more logins we seem to generate. I'd rather keep track of them all rather than trying to fuck with remembering them all. I have 20+ Credit cards, the last thing I would try is memorization.

^^^This. I also keep encrypted notes in it. Works on just about every platform someone would use.
 

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,252
403
126
I use KeePass also, but just for logins/passwords. I guess I could use it for credit card numbers, but it isn't much of a pain for me to reach in my pocket, take out my wallet, and look at the card itself (if the online store I'm using doesn't have it saved).

I've memorized my AMEX card info just cause I tend to use that one more often than the others, though.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,855
355
136
I use KeePass (encrypted database) that stores:
-Website Logins
-Bank Logins
-Email Logins
-Travel/Rewards Logins
-Credit Cards w/ Expiration/Security ID.

Very handy overall I've found. The more I go in life the more logins we seem to generate. I'd rather keep track of them all rather than trying to fuck with remembering them all. I have 20+ Credit cards, the last thing I would try is memorization.

^^^This but I only have around 10 credit cards but only 5 are actively used.
 

Xstatic1

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2006
8,982
50
86
I memorized the one I had for the longest time. I got a couple of new ones recently (especially with the new "chip" upgrades), so I'll get around to memorizing the main one.
 

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
May 24, 2003
69,292
13,033
126
www.anyf.ca
I just pull it out as needed. I recently cancelled my RBC Visa, I only have a credit union Master Card now. I did not realize they were still billing me annually for the Visa so figured what's the point in having it. I was only keeping it as supposedly it hurts your credit to cancel a CC, but I can't imagine it's that significant. Go from 827 to 800 maybe? Oh noes! :p

Suppose I could put all the info in my web based password manager, that way I can still make online purchases from anywhere if I don't have it on me. AES 256 is decent encryption right?

For those of you that have so many credit cards, why is that? Doesn't that get expensive with all the annual fees? If you actually hold a balance on each one is it not better to just have a credit line for that? Much lower interest too.
 

pete6032

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2010
7,867
3,357
136
I memorized my first CC... then I got new ones and changed to a new card every year, got tired. I make an effort not to remember them anymore.

I had a fraud alert once on my American Express. They sent me a new card and the account number was the same, just the last 4 digits of the card number had changed.
 
Nov 8, 2012
20,842
4,785
146
I just pull it out as needed. I recently cancelled my RBC Visa, I only have a credit union Master Card now. I did not realize they were still billing me annually for the Visa so figured what's the point in having it. I was only keeping it as supposedly it hurts your credit to cancel a CC, but I can't imagine it's that significant. Go from 827 to 800 maybe? Oh noes! :p

Suppose I could put all the info in my web based password manager, that way I can still make online purchases from anywhere if I don't have it on me. AES 256 is decent encryption right?

For those of you that have so many credit cards, why is that? Doesn't that get expensive with all the annual fees? If you actually hold a balance on each one is it not better to just have a credit line for that? Much lower interest too.


Because sometimes they apply for best usage in that month, sometimes not.

The majority are "sock drawered", so don't misunderstand. We don't CARRY 20 cards at all times.

But I will tell you cards that rotate in and out:
1: Discover (5% Categories that Rotate. Sometimes useful categories. Sometimes not. Lately it's been Amazon.com, so it's been heavily used)
2: Chase Freedom (5% Categories, very similar to Discover - rotates in and out).
3: Citi Dividend Rewards (5% Categories, except they usually copy off one of the other 2, so it usually takes a backseat to 1-2. I usually keep it in the sock drawer).


Others are cards that:
1) I do not want to close for the sake of preserving credit (Length of how long I have kept it open)
2) Simply not usable right now
3) "Sign on bonus" cards. I signed up for them simply for the bonus. Usually these have annual fees, and I cancel them after receiving the bonus and BEFORE the annual fee is due.

For the record, I RARELY pay an annual fee unless the sign-on bonus outweighs the annual fee. That is NOT often at all. And there are no cards that I actually pay year over year with an annual fee.

Although, there is one I am considering: And thats the Marriott Rewards. Every year there is an annual fee of ~$75 - except every year you also get a free room at a Marriott.... which if you have ever stayed at a Marriott or any other decent hotel, that is easily $100 in of itself. Might be worthy to keep open just for that sake.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,358
9,240
136
Because sometimes they apply for best usage in that month, sometimes not.

The majority are "sock drawered", so don't misunderstand. We don't CARRY 20 cards at all times.

But I will tell you cards that rotate in and out:
1: Discover (5% Categories that Rotate. Sometimes useful categories. Sometimes not. Lately it's been Amazon.com, so it's been heavily used)
2: Chase Freedom (5% Categories, very similar to Discover - rotates in and out).
3: Citi Dividend Rewards (5% Categories, except they usually copy off one of the other 2, so it usually takes a backseat to 1-2. I usually keep it in the sock drawer).


Others are cards that:
1) I do not want to close for the sake of preserving credit (Length of how long I have kept it open)
2) Simply not usable right now
3) "Sign on bonus" cards. I signed up for them simply for the bonus. Usually these have annual fees, and I cancel them after receiving the bonus and BEFORE the annual fee is due.

For the record, I RARELY pay an annual fee unless the sign-on bonus outweighs the annual fee. That is NOT often at all. And there are no cards that I actually pay year over year with an annual fee.

Although, there is one I am considering: And thats the Marriott Rewards. Every year there is an annual fee of ~$75 - except every year you also get a free room at a Marriott.... which if you have ever stayed at a Marriott or any other decent hotel, that is easily $100 in of itself. Might be worthy to keep open just for that sake.
Virtually all of that applies to me. Cards that I used to use aren't as beneficial as subsequent cards I've gotten, but I don't close out the ones I don't use anymore, that would hurt my credit rating, so I just set them aside. My credit rating has gone up recently, to my surprise. It was excellent, now it's excellent-plus. It's not like conditions have changed for me, I think it's because I have some new cards, new credit limits, overall more credit and no blemishes on my record. :confused:
 
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rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
I assume you're talking about online purchases only? I use a feature on my Citi card called Virtual Account Number. It generates one-time use numbers (with a dollar limit if I set one) so my real card number is never used online. I think Discover has (or used to have) a similar service.

I use the Citicard virtual number any time I have to give it out over the phone (like I owed my dr. a co-pay or someone was buying me something with their discount). It's great.

Other than that, I don't buy online often enough (like ~5 times a month) to not want to just pull out my card.
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,855
355
136