When I got my first SS check I knew I would be full-timing and wanted a
bank that would issue a debit/credit card but also guarantee to replace
any lost bucks if thieves somehow got my account access info and wiped
me out.
I read the fine print and solicited some emails describing the
experience of others. Bank of America looked ideal from the standpoint
of available locations and ATMs in the area where I would travel most:
the West. Plus, they say they will restore your account balance within
so many hours, if you are not at fault. So, I opened an account with
them. So far, fingers crossed, ain't had no unauthorized activity in
the account. A couple of times, on my bank statement, some local
company I purchased something from has double posted the charge. I
contacted them and got a full refund for the extra charge. One local
Baltimore package store doubled posted for a case of beer. No big deal.
Told them about it, showed the statement, and picked up a case of cold
beer. Case closed.
Now if that had happened when I was on the road and hundreds of miles
away, it would have pissed me off. As I get ready to leave Baltimore
soon and hit the road west and south, I have begun to get cash from the
BofA ATM and not use the card for local purchases. I will have a bank
statement before I leave showing all card use at merchants, and be able
to correct any errors while here.
One thing I do not do is use my debit/credit card when on the road to
pay for individual purchases. I don't want to take any chance that my
info will be in the computer of some local business and be hacked.
Before I leave a spot I've been at for a while, I generally get about
500 bucks in 20's and pay cash for expenses along the road. When I need
more cash I find a BofA if I can. If not, I use a local bank ATM for
enough to get me to where I can find a BofA.
All the federal CGs and COE CGs I have stayed at accept checks for the
camping fee so I wrote one or more for that because I had to wait at
Batesville, MS for two weeks in June, 2002, until the gravy train
rolled in and I could continue on to VA from the Slabs. I understand
that Walmart might accept checks from folks out of state. Never had the
occasion to check on that policy.
Now and then I go through my old bank account statements preparatory to
disposing of them after an interval of time. I don't tear them up and
put them in the trash where I am staying. I burn them. Then put the ash
in a trash bag. I have a bunch of receipts from card purchases while in
Baltimore the past two years. I put them in a plastic bag. Later this
year, or next year, I will go through them, then burn them.
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