From: "Aaron B" 
Newsgroups: uk.finance uk.legal
Subject: Re: Petrol Station rip off
Date: Sun, 22 Apr 2007 18:36:26 +0100


"Gaz"  wrote in message 
news:591icbF2ib26cU1@mid.individual.net...
> Aaron B wrote:
>> "norm"  wrote in message
>> news:nj0n23d4g0db6l8v3fj7irnvjsbjooqvbb@4ax.com...
>>> The recently exposed 'Sri Lankan' card scam seems to involve someone
>>> scanning the magnetic strip and using a pin entry keyboard that has
>>> been tampered with to get the pin.
>>>
>>> I understand that there is a complex authentication and encryption
>>> process between the chip on the card and the combined card-reader and
>>> keypad which should mean that duplication or reading of the chip's
>>> data is rather more difficult.
>>>
>>> I therefore believe that I can greatly increase the security of any
>>> transaction by wiping a damn great magnet over the magnetic strip on
>>> my card, thereby destroying the data contained on it.
>>>
>>> I would in future tell any retailer where a transaction relied on the
>>> presence of the magnetic strip to get stuffed.
>>>
>>> Discuss.
>>>
>> They will tell you to get stuffed.
>
> Well, it would be there problem, as the op has presented a valid method of 
> payment, it is now a civil debt, pay at your leisure.
>
No it isn't.
There is no obligation on a shop to accept cards at all.
An offer of payment is an 'invitation to treat'.  If they don't accept it, 
there is no sale.
If you make off with the goods it will be theft.