Safety prompts USBC to drop credit card option when paying through leagues
USBC has announced it will no longer allow credit card payment of membership dues at the league level due to the increasing risks of identity theft, but will encourage bowlers who wish to pay by credit card to use USBC’s secure online service instead.

For the past few years, USBC has allowed bowlers to pay for memberships by listing their credit card information on membership application forms at the beginning of the season. USBC has discovered, however, that two, three or sometimes more individuals have access to the written credit card information as part of the membership processing system. The risk of personal information being accidently released, along with issues of illegible or inaccurate information being provided, forced USBC to reconsider its credit card practice.

Bowlers who pay their dues on-site through leagues will have the option of paying by cash or check.

"USBC is committed to the safety and privacy of each bowling member’s private information," said USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger. "What we once thought to be a terrific membership service has, in fact, become an issue in these days of identity theft. Eliminating the need to provide credit card information in writing will allow for safer transactions. At the same time, USBC encourages members who wish to pay by credit card to do so via bowl.com where we have taken every precaution to make sure credit card information is fully protected."