🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <2uen94115gdsnmktcrllf1sr9306bcgjqt@4ax.com>, 
scottenaztlan@yahoo.com says...
> In message
> <dc64fddb-49b4-4796-914a-045b75378e1a@z6g2000pre.googlegroups.com>,
> spamtrap1888@gmail.com wrote:
> 
> >The vendor does not initiate the EFT, the customer does when he sticks
> >his debit card in the vendor's machine. Inserting the debit card is
> >the same as writing the check and mailing it. If vendors could
> >initiate EFTs they could suck your balance dry at any time. 
> 
> Um, vendors CAN and DO initiate EFTs. For example, one of the payment
> options at amazon.com allows you to give them your checking account
> and bank ABA routing numbers; when they ship your order, they will
> initiate an EFT debit to your checking account without you having to
> swipe your debit card (assuming you even have one) through a reader.

Good grief.  Of course they CAN, if you give them the authority.

> Now, you could argue that the customer "initiated" the EFT debit by
> giving Amazon their checking accuont info, but there's nothing to stop
> Amazon from "accidentally" issuing additional debits, or a debit for
> the wrong amount, or deciding to renew your Amazon Prime membership
> via an EFT debit, etc. Once they have your account info, a merchant
> can initiate EFT debits at will; unless you contest them, the bank
> will automatically assume those debits to be valid.

Dumb idea to do so, huh?  ...though it's no different than sending 
them (or paying anyone with) a paper check. 

-- 
Keith