@Agatha This is the way.

@ATXJane @john_b

Stop ordering stuff from them, mostly. If the stuff hasn't shipped yet, cancel the orders. Cancel the account.

I'd say attempting to return stuff to China will be both expensive and dodgy.

@ATXJane Other than uninstalling the app to prevent _further_ data collection there's not really anything that can be done for the data that was already scooped up.

In the future, using services like https://www.cloaked.app/ and https://privacy.com/ to generate unique identities and cards for each app/site can help to limit the blast radius of sketchy apps/sites, but I still wouldn't want to have the Temu app installed on my phone.

@john_b @ATXJane

Anyone ordering anything online should be using https://Privacy.com

It's a solid and secure service, and exposing your actual card number anywhere online is a bad idea.

Privacy is McFate- and j35t3r-approved.

@john_b @ATXJane

FWIW, I pay IRL with my iPhone via ApplePay whenever possible, which is most of the time, as it turns out.

Or cash. Cash is still good.

@mcfate @john_b

Thanks, y’all. I can’t say how much I appreciate your input. 💖🥰 Muchimas gracias.

I’ll pass the info on & hope he takes it. I’d have thought a warning via CoSo would’ve had more attention-getting value. 🤦🏼‍♀️

@mcfate @john_b @ATXJane

Privacy requires applying for a credit card

@QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane

Well, I've been using it for years with nothing but a debit card. I haven't had a credit card in going on two decades.

So, that doesn't seem correct.

@mcfate @QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane
Been using it more and more...
I love that fact that it notifies me any time the card is used...

@InvaderGzim @QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane

This is also a feature of using Apple Pay (at Chase, at least). I appreciate that.

I check my account transactions regularly using the iPhone app. You all should, too.

@QueenOfEverything @mcfate @ATXJane Negative, Privacy does not provide a line of credit or require a credit application. It gets tied to an existing funding source, either a checking account or a debit card (tied to a checking account).

@john_b @QueenOfEverything @ATXJane

In fact, Privacy has no clue at all what sort of a card you have, if you indeed have any at all.

The information they need is your bank's routing number and your account number. Your bank will make you approve connecting Privacy to your account.

@mcfate @QueenOfEverything @ATXJane They apparently do now allow you to connect a debit card instead of a bank account directly:

https://support.privacy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041073133-How-do-I-connect-a-debit-card

@john_b @QueenOfEverything @ATXJane

Okay. I connected to it when I was using a "Chase Blue" card, which is their "refillable debit card". Costs a flat five bucks a month. Good deal.

@john_b @mcfate @ATXJane

No, I just filled out the forms and it connected directly with my bank account via Plaid and the the screen came up saying to complete the Prvacy you have to apply for a credit card with -drat- I lost the screen- it was a bank I wasn’t familiar with- but I couldn’t proceed without signing

@QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane

That sounds wrong to me. I have no idea at all what "Plaid" is or how it enters into this.

Privacy for sure does not require you to have a credit card, it makes zero sense for them to. They're not extending credit to anyone, and that would defeat at least part of the purpose of it.

@QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane

This is from the FAQ on the home page at https://privacy.com

No mention of needing a credit card, much less needing to apply for one with a bank you've never heard of.

@mcfate @QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane Actually they now do require you to fill out a credit card application. A friend of mine signed up about a year ago and also had to fill out a cc application. Not sure when they added that policy but I assume it has to do with the bank they are partnered with.

@haggardmom75 @QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane

Change your bank.

@mcfate @haggardmom75 @john_b @ATXJane

Actually, I love my bank: SOFI

They pay high interest rates on Savings and .50 on checking. And they deposit my Social Security check as soon as they get it instead of holding it- so I get it deposited 7-10 days ahead of time.

I do use Apple Pay. Cancelled PayPal.

@QueenOfEverything @haggardmom75 @john_b @ATXJane

PayPal is a scam run by thieves.

I don't love Chase, but they've failed to be stupid in the ways every other bank I've ever had an account at has managed to be.

@QueenOfEverything @haggardmom75 @john_b @ATXJane

Jeebuzz. What freaking demented bank doesn't give people immediate access to a direct deposit from the US government?

They think it's going to bounce or something? That's idiotic and insane. That'd be sufficient reason for me to cancel an account on the spot.

@mcfate @haggardmom75 @john_b @ATXJane

Banks float money. SOFI is the first bank that hasn’t held my SS check until the 3rd Wed of the month. Last bank didn’t deposit until right before 5pm on Wed. Hanging onto it just a little bit longer.

@mcfate @john_b @ATXJane

PLAID is the app that is the go-between to connect your banking info to another application

@john_b @mcfate @ATXJane

Well, this is embarrassing- privacy connected directly with my bank account and I still get this screen: “To finish you need to apply for a charge card with our bank partner Patriot Bank NA. BY clicking “Agree” you’re acknowledging & agree to:
- To be bound by the Privacy.com Cardholder agreement & Patriot GLBA NOTICE IF YOUR APPLICATION IS ACCEPTED

@QueenOfEverything @john_b @ATXJane

I'd contact Privacy support. Do NOT apply for any credit cards here.

@QueenOfEverything @mcfate @ATXJane Maybe these articles will help?

https://support.privacy.com/hc/en-us/articles/4414533181847-The-Terms-and-Conditions-reference-charge-card-What-does-that-mean

https://support.privacy.com/hc/en-us/articles/4414521453847-The-Terms-and-Conditions-reference-Patriot-Bank-What-is-Patriot-Bank

@QueenOfEverything @mcfate @ATXJane You do have to accept the terms to be issued virtual charge cards by Privacy's partner bank, but this is *not* a credit card application, will not extend you a line of credit, and will not impact your credit score.

@john_b @mcfate @ATXJane

Okay, I understand…. I think they should include the info you sent BEFORE asking me to click on the terms link. 😎

My bank debit cards have all been “virtual charge cards” with either a Mastercard or Visa logo- bc a lot of merchants wouldn’t accept debit cards- especially online.

@QueenOfEverything @mcfate @ATXJane Agreed, they should make that more clear up-front. mcfate and I have been using Privacy for years, well before they made that change, so we didn't know that the sign-up process had been altered in that way - though we did have to agree to the new ToS when they made the switch.

I'd encourage you to submit feedback through their support system. Their team has been really receptive to my requests in the past.

https://support.privacy.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

@john_b @mcfate @ATXJane

I will submit feedback bc they may be losing quite a few customers who will not sign up for “credit cards”.

Thank you all for helping me get through this. I’ve had fraud withdrawals from my account for the first time ever and am dramatically changing how I shop/pay now. PRIVACY is exactly what I need- particularly the one-time use card for online purchases. Thanks for getting me through it 🙏

@QueenOfEverything @john_b @mcfate

I really appreciate the info as well. Thanks much.

@john_b @QueenOfEverything @ATXJane

The change from virtual cards presenting as debit cards to now presenting as credit cards was purely to assuage vendors who didn't like accepting debit cards.

@lenaoflune That is possitively wild.