Like seriously they don't even use payment gateways and want you to email them all your credit card details so they can charge you. Is this normal in the United States?
No, and that is very unsafe. Definitely don't do it.
Unfortunately, the medical business has very poor knowledge and practices in general when it comes to cybersecurity. So actually, maybe it is normal. 
And to think most of these LL businesses maintain your sensitive LL information on computers and social media makes me a bit anxious
Quote from: limewalk on January 27, 2020, 03:54:33 PMLike seriously they don't even use payment gateways and want you to email them all your credit card details so they can charge you. Is this normal in the United States?
Email is not secure. See if maybe you can do it by phone. Not great, but much better.
Yes phone might be safer.
But what do they do when they hear it by phone? Do they enter it in a computer?
Also I don't know how you can just take someone's credit card details and take money from it.
Many ways my friend.
Try to see if you can't send them a cheque or a wire transfer.
Quote from: limewalk on January 27, 2020, 05:42:49 PMYes phone might be safer.
But what do they do when they hear it by phone? Do they enter it in a computer?
Also I don't know how you can just take someone's credit card details and take money from it.
They have dedicated machines that do nothing but handle credit card transactions. Little more than a calculator with a dialup modem. Usually there's a number pad on one of those that can accept manual inputs if the magnetic strip is malfunctioning. It's a trusted device with only one purpose that's been in existence for decades. Banks trust merchants who own those, especially those registered to medical providers, so usually you can charge big amounts in places far from home without setting off any red flags at the fraud department.
I gave Angelique who does the scheduling at Paley Institute my credit info over the phone for initial consultation and EOS scan. There was 2 charges on my credit card statement (Paley Institute $750 and ST Marys MedicalWest Palm Beach FL $500). Nothing fraudulent happened to my credit card.
I am planning to give Angelique my credit card number over the phone for the $10,000 deposit to secure the surgical date and will wire transfer the balance.
@Medium Drink Of Water: Oh yes, I seen those 
Now phone doesn't seem that unsafe. I was worried they would write all my details down somewhere.
Still it's sad people haven't adapted to safer ways of taking credit card payments in 2020.
@readyprecisestryde Good to know! GOod luck with your surgery and please write a diary
Thank you limewalk. I am scared and excited. I will write a diary for everyone
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