Credit card companies, like telcos, helped snoop on America

That’s the word from former National Security Agency analyst, and current whistleblower, Russell Tice. Without saying he had hard evidence, he indicated that it’s his belief that credit card companies, like telecommunications companies, voluntarily gave the NSA access to their data after 9/11.

To get at what's really going on here, the CEOs of these telecom companies, and also of the banking and credit card companies and any other company where you have big databases, those are the people you have to haul in to Congress and tell them you better tell the truth. Because anyone in the government is going to claim executive privilege.

Is Obama listening? Is Eric Holder listening?

Your credit card – No ID required

Yes, Liz Pulliam Weston says that MasterCard and Visa, for example, specifically PROHIBIT merchants from asking for ID. Your signed credit card is all that’s needed. That’s one of nine myths and realities of credit cards that she tackles.

Merchants’ agreements with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover specifically forbid them from requiring identification. Your signature is supposed to be enough.

Furthermore, merchants’ contracts with Visa and MasterCard are supposed to prevent them from even asking for ID. American Express and Discover don’t prohibit asking but strongly discourage it.

Merchants typically ask for ID because they’re trying to reduce their own fraud costs. But if a clerk memorizes or writes down vital information from your driver's license — your address or date of birth, for example — you’re the one who could be at greater risk of identity theft.

Go to the story for the other eight myths and realities.