I was at a restaurant tonight and handed my credit card to the server for payment. When I asked a few minutes later for my card back, thinking the server had forgotten my card, the manager pulled me aside. He told me the cashier had given my card to someone else, and they didn't know who. Obviously the person who has my card had no intention of returning it because the manager didn't have it.

I immediately cancelled the card and they gave me that $50 dinner for free.

I'm not worried about charges on my account, but is there any information they can glean from the card itself that would identify me? e.g. am I safe from ID theft? I didn't call the cops because the solution was to cancel the card and I'm not sure what they could have done to help.

I am PISSED.

 

Without any additional information about you, I doubt that anything bad will happen. They shouldn't be able to use it. The person that got your card may not have even looked and just put it away. The resturant should end up with an extra card at the end of the night. Let's hope you don't hear anymore about it unless it is returned to the resturant.

 

"He told me the cashier had given my card to someone else, and they didn't know who."

Like... another server... or..?

 

I wouldn't worry about it. They only have your name and an account number that is no longer any good.

At least you scored a free meal.

 

Dude thats totally unacceptable, the server accidentally gave your card to another table? I think you deserve more then just a free meal.

 

i'd rip em a new one, you should be safe by what you did

 

I did rip them a new one while I was there. Nicely (e.g. I didn't yell loudly enough to startle the other customers). I wanted to find that server and knock him on his ass, but as a doc that would've looked bad for me . The error was found within 10 minutes (but only after I asked what was taking so long with my card), so whoever has it didn't have a chance to make any charges.

I ultimately found out from the bank that all they have on the mag strip is my name and the card number. I was afraid that they did bonehead stuff like encoding my social security# or home address (like some hotels on their key cards) on the strip.

Thanks for the replies....

 

Since you called in, there is no possible way for them to gain a hold of your private information (SS #, banks, etc.). Maybe just your name, and i don't even think they could get your address. However, I am not quite sure about the address

 

No worries. They only encode the expiration date, CVV number, name and card number into the card. You are safe