McApplebee's

**DanDavis** · Posted On: 11/21/2002 6:10pm

I know this isn't related to martial arts, but it does involve fraud. Last weekend, my wife went out for dinner with her family at Applebee's. She covered most of the bill with a check. On the part where she wrote the numeric monetary amount, somebody changed a "5" to a "6." The waitress perhaps? Whoever it was didn't realize that the numeric amount didn't match the amount that was spelled out. Neither did the bank. So, when I made a deposit today, the bank's records obviously didn't match mine. Then, they showed me the check. The gap that was filled in to turn the "5" to a "6" was written darker than the rest of the number. However, on our carbon copy, you could clearly tell that it is a "5." So, the bank is going to reimburse us.

Anyway, I guess the moral of the story is to buy the carbon copy check books as opposed to the regular ones. They'll come in especially handy when handing the original to someone who has a lot to gain by tweaking the numbers.

**Groganer** · Posted On: 11/21/2002 7:52pm

Uh...You could also just use a credit card and stop being barbaric by using checks. :)

**matzahbal** · Posted On: 11/21/2002 8:55pm

I agree with Groganer. DavDavis, what are you Amish or something?

But yeah, even when I use my atm/credit card I always draw horrizental lines from the left to the first number to stop anybody from thowing another number in front of it and giving themselves a nice fat tip.

"But some apes they gotta go, so we kill the ones we don't know" - 'Ape shall never kill Ape' by The Vandals

**LAWPILOT** · Posted On: 11/21/2002 10:03pm

You have to also be careful using your credit card....Many people working at these places have a PDA (palm pilot, hand spring, etc.) with a card reader attached. When they take your credit card back to process it they swipe it to charge you for your meal but they also swipe it through their card reader and capture all your info off the magnetic strip.....You would be suprised how much info is actually stored on this strip....They can then use the stolen info to purchase things online or over the phone. The info swiped off your card can also be used to print a duplicate of your card which they can then use at a retail merchant......It's amazing how much of this is going on.

Granted, you are not responsible for the charges but it can really screw you up for a while. It can also cause you problems with your credit rating which can be a nightmare to clean up.

Actually, I have started using cash at most places.....but then you risk losing your money if you lose your wallet or get jumped by a bunch of ninjas.....

**DanDavis** · Posted On: 11/22/2002 7:11pm

I've used credit cards and can't stand the interest rates.

**SifuAbel** · Posted On: 11/22/2002 9:50pm

ATM Visa, no interest, no nothing. you can have a seperate account with a little lunch money in it.

Peedee and kungfools will NEVER face those they charge.

**Admin-Temp** · Posted On: 11/22/2002 10:17pm

Bank cards rock. I hate checks more than math.

**ksmythe** · Posted On: 11/22/2002 10:55pm

Hey ... math is cool. My PhD has gotten me lucky more times than a bottle of Jack Daniels. It only works once though, after you tell them your a mathematician and not a "real doctor" they get real pissy and don't come back.

Reverend K.S. Smythe

**Mercurius** · Posted On: 11/23/2002 4:20am

I wanna be a "fake doctor" too, just for the title. I'd make people call me "Dr." instead of "Mr." and completely blow the **** up on them if they screw it up.

"God is dead." -Nietzsche
"Nietzsche is dead." -God

**samantha711** · Posted On: 11/26/2002 8:54pm

I don't right checks anymore either, just use my debit card. No interest, in fact it's an interest paying account for me. The money is taken right out of my checking, no fuss, no muss...you just need to keep track of how often you use it..

<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle> Sam