Randy Wray’s Blog

My American Express card was intercepted in the mail this past week. The only reason I was even aware of the heist was due to an e-mail I received asking me to verify a suspicious charge.

I’m not all that paranoid about purchasing things via the world wide web. I’m not reckless either. But hey, if I can get 3 dozen bead-head wooly buggers in various sizes and colors for only $17.50 (including shipping) what’s a guy to do?

My first thought was that the e-mail I had received was a phishing scam. This is an attempt by a con-artist to get you to divulge your credit card information through a web-site that looks just like the actual website. So, I called American Express to inquire as to the validity of the e-mail and learned that my card had been swiped and was being used in vain.

The friendly customer service representative began to list a few of the attempted charges. She explained how these charges were not consistent with my prior purchasing habits and thus were suspicious and suspected to be fraudulent.

I was relieved and grateful of course and amazed at the software behind the scenes which knew about my spending habits. This amazement was even greater considering that the first attempted charge was from Fredericks of Hollywood. The remaining charge attempts were along that same line.

Aside from all the big brother conspiracies and discussions about groceries stores and video stores tracking your purchases (they do you know?) it was kind of cool knowing they saw that junk and knew it wasn’t me.

Not that they know me personally but I was known by my purchases or better yet by what I didn’t purchase (at least not with that card ever again!).

I wonder what would happen with that kind of purchase history disclosure in other areas of our life? Isn’t that what accountability is all about? Maybe online viewing accountability should extend to our purchase history and habits.

I know this type of disclosure could be abused and used as a means of control. I just think in the long run we would be healthier spiritually, emotionally and physically if someone we loved and trusted knew to ask: “Hey, I saw you purchased 200 cases of twinkies last month. Do we need to talk?”