Last Christmas I gave you my credit card... (Christmas in General)

Member Name: 1st2thebar

Product:	Christmas in General
Date:	30/11/07 (113 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Festive frollicks

Disadvantages: The poor always suffer hardest

Last Christmas I gave you my credit card, the very next day you gave it away.

- Fraudulent activity and Christmas shopping -

Wham! ; Most of us are at the mercy of fraudsters indefinitely due to the lost disk data of over 25 Million people, sentencing a life sentence to hard working citizens that potentially face financial turmoil; that could strike anytime. Leaving people destitute; without homes and waiting indefinitely for compensation; if there is such a thing with this mass blunder beyond any imaginable scale. The good news is no-one has reported anything usual as yet, well so we are told. To me this is ominous. It would be silly for any fraudster to access any accounts as yet, especially when it is still 'hot news'. Remember the details alone on the disks are worth collectively over 1.5 Billion GBP; and it wasn't even sent via 'recorded delivery'! Last Christmas seems a long time ago now; most of us shredded documents and we the public believed our details were safe under an encrypted coded message that was secure beyond any doubt from any potential threats of security.

I'm in no doubt that the governmental systems or whatever the reform they are introducing constantly... is not fit for purpose. The reason is because the HMRC is not working a paperless office platform, when printing personal details to a recipient other details of another recipient is either on the back of the page or cut off at the front, and when digital data processes are used such as on the lost 2 disks, no encrypting security codes are being used to protect the data stored; so in both counts HMRC and the government have failed the UK public.

The nanny state is so quick to judge the UK public when they are totally inept themselves. It has been a waste of time for ourselves to safeguard anything now. Firewalls, Passwords, yet more Firewalls, Passwords, online security; NI numbers, bank accounts, DOB's, names and addresses, are all in the public domain. The only winners in this fiasco is Experian, since last Wednesday they have really pushed to get people to sign-up to a 5.99 GBP per month membership fee just to see your credit score. Amazing; the gore and moral ethics astounds me. I can't blame them really; they are a financial business, crooked as they come though, regards to my findings this year. Now that Christmas is around the corner; it is a timely blunder from those bunch of 'spotty chinned numpties' at HMRC as many transactions will take place and many could be unforeseen. The climate for fraud at the moment is high. Thanks HMRC; my customary Christmas card will be 'lost in transit' this year.

Out of the dark clouds comes a glimmer of sun, yes, one thing that to come out of this is that it has brought the problem of identity fraud to the forefront of many people's minds this Christmas. Highlighting the ever mentioned question of; is it safe to buy online? I can honestly say a resounding yes; it is much safer than any security a high street store can provide their customers; though of course it does depends on your firewall security and internet connection. (Please note: for extra security online - change you IP address regularly and clean-up your temporary files in your browser settings every couple of hours. This will disable any security problems that can occur). Not only that, the process stops hackers from finding out your own identity and online banking passwords, from a van 50 yards from your abode via a wireless connection. - Be alert to what is going on outside your own abode.

It is still estimated (around £5.6million) is expected to be transferred online, which is an increase of over 55% on last year. It's not surprising either - we all know how difficult shopping can be at Christmas - the amount of traffic and queuing, the hassle, slow people, a mass of friends gassing on the pavement blocking shop entrances, can make it very stressful. More and more people are finding it much easier to order those gifts on the internet from your warm home, in your own time, stress free, and slurping a hot chocolate diced with sticky marsh-mellows - yummy, it sounds so appealing especially when there is no-one coughing uncontrollably beside you sniffling and looking like death. Thanks a bunch, I'll better get out the Omega 3 hopefully I will be able to taste the 750.00 GBP Christmas feast.

It's all in preparation, I'm not going to tell you how to prepare your perfect Christmas, heavens above; it's hard enough to organize my own; especially now I'm now having to view all my transactions like a hawk looking for a midnight feast in fog. I've neither been blessed as a mind reader for individual Christmas gifts and still find multi tasking impossible; perhaps next year I will be a duo force again, helped by a bionic curvy marketing guru who looks amazing in stockings. I've given out warnings beforehand so I think I'm covered. Wishful thinking, I know. - What flavor 'After Eights' do you like? Sometimes it just easier to except sweet brandings is not my thang.

Indeed, getting back to informative facts, according to banking payments association, we Brits will dig deep into our pockets out a total of £53 billion over the Christmas period. This comes to £2,120 for each of the UK's 25 million households, which is a staggering amount; making us vulnerable to commercial pressure. What's more, during this yearly spend-fest, we are at a high risk of being ripped off by profit-hungry manufacturers and retailers alike.

You can save yourselves a load of notes this Christmas by viewing many online deals that involve a cash-back incentive. It really is cash-back wars online. Every retailer is trying to out bid on their competitors even if it is an extra 5% or 0.60p. The winners are people who use cash-back systems regularly and research the facility to its maximum. Some merchants even include free delivery and wave package fee. It is a great way of saving money and furthermore you don't have to feel you are being ripped-off at any point. An order form will be confirmed in your email in-box and a confirmation response will also be sent as proof of transaction. I've had a better customer service via email than calling a 0845 customer service line and going through the crazy automated message system. It is not worth it.

Many times in the past I was directed back to using their email address to get a reply. If, I told you how much money companies get by their interlocking phone system (0845, 0870) numbers; you would not ring up again. That is another review in waiting.

Well another year has gone (nearly), and I hope that the credit crunch won't make this years tidings a painful experience. My thoughts are with those who have truly lost a great deal this year... their homes and members of family. A mention also to the struggling families who are going to get £25.00 compensation from Farepak after investing on average £600.00 per family. The unfair nature of Christmas spirit .. pay the lawyers and share-holders first and then see what scraps are left for the rest. My thoughts are with you.

Thanks for reading.

Summary: Christmas Shopping and fraudulent activity