Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!pyrdc!netsys!vector!nobody
From: MYERSTON@KL.SRI.COM (HECTOR MYERSTON)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Local Telco and Credit Cards
Message-ID: <telecom-v08i0153m03@vector.UUCP>
Date: 5 Oct 88 15:38:48 GMT
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	Patrick_A-Townson@cup.portal.com.uucp provides a very clear and
erudite theory on credit cards and PINs.  Unfortunately it is also about
100% inaccurate.  There is no such thing as a "universal data base" of
credit cards and PINs, in fact there is an incredible mumbo-jumbo of
numbers, carriers, verification systems and access methods.
	For example, the card numbers issued by the LEC and AT&T are
often (up to to now) the same.  This means that if you punch the numbers
in or pass verbally to the operator they are interchangeable.  HOWEVER,
the mag strips on the back are neither the same nor universally accepted.
	Also the international card number is no longer provided on the
cards issued in California by PacBell.  If you want both you must go to
AT&T.
	This whole area is one of casualties of the breakup.  One of the
biggest irritants to any one who travels or provides the service to others.

hom