An Honest To Goodness Credit Card Alarm

The Skinny

This device takes the form of a thin plastic and stainless steel sheath for a single credit card, slim enough to fit into your wallet. Here's how it works: if you remove the card from the sheath, the alarm will beep discreetly every 20 seconds or so until you replace the card.

While they're way cool and look slick (and will certainly generate conversation), each of these nifty alarms will set you back a cool $75. But hey, they make great gifts, so why not put one on your Christmas list? Just be aware that they're quite popular indeed, and are usually sold out at most online purchasing sites.

Eh, Why Bother?

Well, let's put it this way: let he who hasn't left his plastic behind somewhere cast the first stone. Most of us have done it. I've left my debit card in ATMs numerous times, and on one memorable occasion left it behind at a Starbucks in a town I was passing through on the way to somewhere else.

I remembered it 20+ miles later -- a 45-minute round-trip. In fact, come to think of it, on that same trip I left the same card in an ATM machine in my destination town. Ouch!

You can see the value, then, in having a little card case in your pocket that beeps at you when it's empty. It can save you a lot of time, energy, and stress.

Other Uses

I think the above function is the card alarm's greatest value, but commentators have pointed out that it has other advantages. For example, if you're using your credit card often, you're going to be hearing that annoying beep a lot. That might help you cut back on your card usage.

Some have pointed out that it can also alert you to theft... but I just don't see it. Why would even the dumbest thief steal your credit card and leave the alarm behind? It's not like it's heavy or anything.

But still, the card alarm is worth checking out. It may or may not help you get a handle on your credit card addiction, but it can definitely keep you from pulling a bonehead stunt like forgetting your card somewhere. If only I'd had a credit card alarm in that Starbuck's that day!