@ 08.05 AM:

From: TD-TXNALERT

Thank you for using your XXXX Bank Credit Card for YYY.ZZ in ACQUIRER OPERATIONS @ 10-Mar-2011 08:02 AM.

Now, I don’t carry my credit cards in my wallet. My credit cards don’t charge an annual fee. So where did this SMS come from? I was all ready for a fight with the Bank when I happened to see this email:

We’ve delivered your purchase.

Thanks for making your purchase through Skype. We’re happy to confirm your payment. There won’t be any break in service — your new purchase will pick up right where the old one left off…

The recurring payment for your subscription will be charged on the same date (or as close as possible) on each billing period. If you cancel your subscription it will take effect at the end of the last billed period.

There you go — an online recurring payment on my credit card! How dumb of me?

When I was traveling recently on work, I’d purchased an India-calling package from Skype. Upon coming back, I forgot to cancel my subscription and at the end of the first subscription window, Skype happily charged a second subscription to my credit card details that they had on record. Now I have an India-calling package when I reside right here in India. How really dumb of me!

A valuable lesson learned.

Skype no longer has my credit card data on their records. As for that subscription pack, I have 3-months to go before it expires. Maybe I should exhaust it by calling D Bangalore-to-Bangalore!

Goes to show how dangerous credit cards can be.