Digital doings

Today I went to collect my new credit card from the bank. On the back, in addition to the card number, there's a three digit code which some Internet vendors require for extra security before they will validate the card. Unfortunately, this is printed half way along the strip where you have to put your signature. The bank asks you to sign using a black pen, with a tip just thick enough to obliterate anything printed underneath. Of course, I managed to sign it so that the first t of Sennitt completely covered the first digit of the security code. It isn't written down anywhere else, only on the card itself.

I went to upgrade my account with PayPal, and had to guess the first digit of the code. I don't know how many goes you get before the computer suspects something is amiss, but on the third attempt I apparently got it right. Now I know what the correct code is, but the good thing is that if the card ever got stolen, the thief wouldn't. But I think this is a good idea rather sloppily implemented. Surely I can't be the only one who has had this problem. Can I?

2:46:01 PM