[kwlug-disc] OT: Canada Computers credit card skimmer

[CrankyOldBugger]

I should have clarified better before I hit "send" earlier..

IIRC, Canada Computer does use PCs as POS systems.  They have attached
barcode scanners that they use to record your serial numbers on stuff you
buy.  And of course, they use the Interac debit/credit terminals to read
your cards.  CC isn't as neolithic as I may have suggested in my earlier
email.

I think the issue that we're wondering about here is "does CC use the same
web based interface for in-store purchases, and thus is inadvertently
skimming your credit card number?"  To that, I don't have an authoritative
answer.  I am under the impression that the web interface and the in-store
terminals are separate, but again, I don't really know.  It is a good
question that needs further study.

What is the flowchart for both methods of shopping and authorizing your
credit card, and where do they meet, if at all?  Does the local store in
Waterloo send your credit card information straight to the banks, or does
it pass through the same system as the web store, and thus (possibly)
running past the same web credit card skimmer?

Bottom line, I think, is to watch your bank statements closely.  Thankfully
Wifeski got me to update our personal finance software weekly now, so I
don't run the risk of missing any weird transactions.

And bottom-bottom line..  who knows how much the big A.I. data thieves are
already stealing from us?  There's no escape.



On Tue, 27 Jan 2026 at 15:59, Remi Gauvin <remi at georgianit.com> wrote:

> On 2026-01-27 10:23 a.m., Doug Moen wrote:
> >> What kind of modern franchise store uses cash registers?
> > I always pay cash at Canada Computers (as well as at every other
> franchise store). This would not be possible if they did not have cash
> registers.
>
>
> Maybe because I'm an old ludite, but in my mind, a crash drawer attached
> to a full fledged Point of Sale system is very different from what I
> think of "regular cash registers.".  The exception being Walmart, their
> POS is very cleverly disguised to look like cash register.
>
> But I think the real distinction relevant here, is the Point of Sale
> system tied to the payment system. You'll notice in some small stores,
> for example, after they ring in your puchase, they have to manually
> input the amount into the Debit/Credit machine, which are not connected
> to whatever PoS or Register being used.  This is not the case with
> Canada Computers.
>
>
>
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