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Did you know…

Beeswax, made by honey bees to create comb walls, is prized for use in candlemaking because it does not smoke or drip. (Thanks Jane Greig)

Finally! We got a camcorder. The Sony DCR-HC96 MiniDV Handycam. You think with such a cute son, we would have bought one sooner.

UPDATE: Scott got one too! Model DCR-SR100.

An excellent Jane Greig question today:

Q: Jane, can you please clarify the rule on business receipts containing full credit card numbers?

I understand that as of the first of this year its federal law that credit card numbers must be removed from business receipts except for the last four numbers. Is this true?

I have been to two businesses recently where the whole number has been on the store copy. I confronted management and they tell me that it’s OK to have the number on THEIR copy. Why would I need to be protected from having the number on MY copy? They seemed to be disinterested in complying with the law.

Questions: 1) What’s the answer to the above? 2) Who can a customer contact to report the business for not changing?

Regards,

S. L.

A: A business is allowed to keep the numbers on their copies of receipts.

The public’s understanding of the law is generally incorrect. I share your concerns. This law cuts down on theft of receipts left by consumers in trash cans and dashboards.

Here is the answer to a question similar to yours I answered this spring:

The law applies to stray receipts such as a customer’s copy. Retailers need to safeguard a customer’s information.

Merchants are allowed to keep a copy of the receipt with your complete credit card number on it, says Lauri Saathoff, deputy press secretary at the office of the Texas Attorney General. Note this law does not apply to transactions if the sole means of recording the card number is through a handwritten or imprint of the card, Saathoff says.

To report receiving a receipt generated after Dec. 31, 2005, with more than the last four digits contact the Attorney General’s Office, (800) 252-8011. Fine? Up to $500 for each calendar month during which a violation occurs.

I lost a bet tonight. We were working on a project and needed to shorten a bolt. Allison said she could cut the bolt with a pair of wire cutters. I said, “No way.” (Allison assures me that all women who are reading this are saying, “Of course wire cutters can cut a bolt.”)

The bet: cut the bolt in two within an hour, using only wire cutters. 35 minutes and three bandaged blisters later, she did it, then showed off by showing that the wire cutters could still cut a piece of wire.

The wager: immediate credit-card purchase of new living room furniture and a fence to split the back yard (instead of waiting until we have cash in hand).

(Please don’t tell her about that Ronco knife set that can cut cans, she’ll probably try some auto repair project with them.)

After spending Sunday night back at the doggie hospital, Scooter came home this afternoon to continue his recovery. He’s been quite a trooper.