Readers' Comments
Total Comments: 47
Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Charge Card Abuse? Who Cares?
Total Comments: 47
Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
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Who Cares
VA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:47 AM
Post Reply
Government credit cards are issued to each employee just the same as a personal charge card. The employee is responsible for paying off the balance each month; so, aside from presenting a public record of your own personal tastes, i.e. gambling, strip clubs, etc. as long as the employee pays off the balance for that month, who really cares?
Now if an employee fails to pay off the balance then the agency should come down hard with disciplinary action.
Personally, I use my own personal charge card and redeem the perks myself rather than have any perks going to some undeserving grossly overpaid high ranking political appointee in the agency!!
Re: Who Cares
Independent Agency
Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:00 PM
Why don't they just take the credit cards away?
Army
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:06 PM
Post Reply
Ralph,
Since the system is so consistently rife with abuse, and the isue so seriously undermines confidence in the government, why don't our lawmakers just stand up for what's right and stop the abuse by stopping the use of these cards? Simple solution for a simple problem, right? I mean this is a serious issue? Far be it from members of Congress or the GAO to use an issue like this for political grandstanding. I mean, GAO is all, like, non-political, right?
Re: Why don't they just take the credit cards away
ICE
Sat Apr 12, 2008 4:41 PM
Purchase Cards
VHA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:15 PM
Post Reply
With the use of Purchase Cards, I think you get what you pay for; so to speak. We all know Purchase Cards were issused to cut down on the number of purchasing agents. The function was assigned to someone inside a service as a collateral duty. Well each year the paperwork and responsibility of the Purchase Card holder has gone up and up. After being the purchase card holder for the last 5 years I can not get rid of this extra duty. My boss has even critized me for not getting all of my other work done. When I have just spent 8 doing paperwork for the purchase card.
Sad Commentary
DoD
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:16 PM
Post Reply
It's sad that any government managers with that attitude exist. By not caring, evidently they don't mind the waste of their own tax dollars! We all pay for this, if not directly financially, in the contempt of those fellow citizens whose interests we are supposed to be protecting.
Stealing is still a crime
USDA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:18 PM
Post Reply
I think you will find an overwhelming number of honest government employees out here who DO care about the abuse of purchase cards. Stealing is still a crime and should be punishable by law with loss of their job, pension, etc., restitution, and jail time for committing a felony. There are plenty of law abiding Americans who can do a better job.
Purchase Card vs Travel Card
GSA
Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:59 PM
Post Reply
I do not condone abuse of either type of card, but there is a critical difference in the 2 that should be recognized. Purchase card bills are sent to and paid by the agency's finance department. Charging personal expenses (or extravagances, or embezzlement) essentially amount to theft of government funds. Travel card bills on the other hand are sent directly to, and paid by, the employee. Authorized travel expenses are reimbursed so it's a net wash for the employee. Unauthorized charges presumably would not be reimbursed, they would be paid with the employee's own money. I don't mean to excuse inappropriate use of the travel card, (I have in fact cancelled an employee's card for misuse) but please recognize that purchase card abuse is much more serious.
Misuse of government credit cards
USDA-AMS-Cotton Div.
Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:46 PM
Post Reply
I have had one experience of trying to get backing from my superiors when I discovered a subordinate charging personal expenses to a government credit card and received none. The $65. misuse was considered too small to be concerned about. The employee turned in her resignation when when I personally attempted action. I think superiors who tolerate such action by employees should face prosecution as an accomplice to the crime.