Hi Jabber,

I'm so sorry to hear that your credit card was compromised. It's happened to us several times recently, so I know what a pain it can be.

With us, both times our card was stolen this year happened at restaurants. The whole concept of paying at a restaurant is so out of our control -- we surrender the card to a waiter, who then totally removes it from our presence!

Don't know if that's what happened in your case.

But I recently read of a new wireless device designed for use by small merchants -- something that connects to a mobile phone or iPad type device that allows credit cards to be used by people like your cleaning lady - or even a Girl Scout who stops at your door to sell cookies. Maybe we'll start to see restaurant waiters using those in our presence -- and that might improve security. I don't know...

On the other hand, we could always go back to paying with cash.

Hope you get your new cards soon!