Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site bbncca.ARPA
Path: utzoo!linus!bbncca!sxnahm
From: sxnahm@bbncca.ARPA (Steve Nahm)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: AT&T "Calling Card"
Message-ID: <663@bbncca.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 10-Apr-84 12:22:04 EST
Article-I.D.: bbncca.663
Posted: Tue Apr 10 12:22:04 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Apr-84 01:50:49 EST
Organization: Bolt, Beranek and Newman, Cambridge, Ma.
Lines: 24

<..--..>

    I just received the new AT&T "Calling Card" (it may be called something
else).  It has the same account number as the Calling Card that the local 
phone company sent after breakup, but instead of being paper, it's
plastic-with-a-magnetic-stripe.  It's supposed to be used for the new-fangled
phones AT&T are planning, which operate sort-of like those automatic-teller
machines.  As far as I can tell, there's no secret identification code to
enter on these phones, just stick the plastic in the hole.

    This seems very dangerous to me.  I normally never carry my Calling Card,
instead I memorize the four digit code which comes after my phone number in the
Calling Card account.  This new plastic card would mean people would have to 
carry the new card around all of the time.  

    What protections are there for when you card is lost or stolen?  I know the
phone company is usually willing to cancel charges for calls you claim you 
never made, but I'm sure there's no credit-card like protection.  Any info or
opinions?  Should I burn my new plastic?
-- 
Steve Nahm
sxnahm@bbn-unix.arpa (ARPA)
{decvax,ima,linus,wjh12}!bbncca!sxnahm (Usenet)