Having worked at a grocery store for more than 3 years, I feel like it is safe to say that I have rung up what seems like more than 1 million transactions. Most modern shoppers pay in the form of a debit or credit card, but every so often a costumer will whip out the old school checkbook, ask to borrow a pen, and take the time to fill out all the information a check requires, all while receiving impatient and disgruntled looks from the customers waiting behind them. Though these stuck-in-the-past check-writers are rare, I had an experience with one customer that changed my perspective on the use of checks. She declared to me that she was writing checks, and checks only, for the rest of her life - and for good reason. Her credit card information had been stolen online from a website that claimed to be "secure" and thousands of dollars had been charged to her account.
Traumatizing events like these are not uncommon. They happen everyday to people who put their trust in the internet by supplying their personal information to websites they believe will protect them. From the online shopper, to the online blogger, even to the online social networker, there isn't a user today who isn't accessing a website that doesn't require, or at least attempt to acquire, some form of personal information. Most retailers often have online stores that make accessing and purchasing their merchandise fairly simple, but most require a credit card number and mailing address. Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace don't require such personal information, but have blanks for the user to fill in varying information such as their age, a personal description, and even their location, if desired.
Why do so many people (myself included) trust in such sites to disclose personal information? This blog will discuss the topics of identity, privacy, and safety and how they apply to the internet and other modern technologies our world has come to trust and rely on.
Hope you enjoyed reading!
Nice introduction using an anecdote. It sets the stage rather well for the rest of your post. The further examples continue to draw the reader in by, possibly, relating to them.
ReplyDeleteThe last paragraph seemed a bit rushed or maybe out of place.
As a whole, it was a great read.
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ReplyDeleteI too have worked in a store setting where I have performed a million transactions, most of which being with credit cards, and I too have had the same situations with those very few people who still use checks. As a cashier, even I get frustrated with them because it takes longer; however after reading your first post it made rethink my thoughts on checks. I think everyone today is in such a hurry to be on to the next thing that we completely forget that we are putting personal information out there for anyone to access. I mean what makes all of these businesses more trustworthy than others? I should probably be more carful.
ReplyDeleteSo thank you for making me think, I really enjoyed this read
I really liked how you related your personal experience from working in a store to your topic, it helps readers relate to your post with experiences from everyday life. I also liked how you tied in everything in the end. I thought your post was very well thought out, organized, and your introduction was most definitely an attention getter. I too am blogging about the same topics and I am interested to see your views on the matter. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed your use of the anecdote about writing checks. It really appealed to me as a reader by grabbing my attention from the very beginning of the post.
ReplyDeleteI found your check story to be very interesting. I personally don't use checks but this topic is making me realize how often I am putting my credit card information online, whether it's for buying school books or just doing some online shopping. I guess that a lot of people, myself included, don't think identity theft or credit card theft is a reality until it happens to us directly, or, as in your case, a story from a victim changes our perspective.
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