So, I get a phone call from folks who tell me that one of my credit cards has been compromised. They have lots of information, so I work with them. They help me determine which credit card has been compromised. With the complete understanding that credit card fraud doesn't really scare me, I know how to cancel fraudulent charges, I work with them. For days. They seem to be diligent and persistent but we're not getting anywhere. I am still getting notices of large charges that are unauthorized and these folks are trying to help. Still all good.
They tell me to bring the card to their offices. Okay. Except their offices are 50 miles away, so I'm not doing that. Can you pick up the card? Yes, we will send UPS. Okay, fine, I'll leave it for you.
They pick it up - my Ring camera shows an unusual person picking it up, but, as noted, I'm not overly concerned.
It gets interesting when I tell them that all of the text notifications ask "Press 1 for valid and press 2 for invalid". I press 2. The text fails to go out every time. Is it my phone causing the problem?
Anyway, nothing is happening, they're persistent, I feel like they're trying to help, and then they realize I am pressing "2" on the texts, and the woman says, "My supervisor says press 1".
Excuse me? 1 = yes, a valid charge. This gets my attention for the first time.
So, I call the bank, and we review all the fraudulent charges. Apparently, they were declined, but they are out there. The bank declines them all and removes them and I tell them I don't have the card so we decide it's stolen, easy deal, card cancelled, new card coming, new account number, etc.
The lady "helping" me calls. I told her I had all of the charges cancelled, terminated the card, and I'm getting a new one.
Click. Phone goes dead.
I laugh, and I send one more test.
"Press 1? Nice try!"
Bottom line - my card was compromised, I THINK at a Walmart where I never shop, but my girlfriend needed something there. Oh, well, no harm, no foul, except and unless those charges really happened and merchandise was stolen from the stores identified. That's unfortunate, but I escaped unscathed.
21st century!!!!
They tell me to bring the card to their offices. Okay. Except their offices are 50 miles away, so I'm not doing that. Can you pick up the card? Yes, we will send UPS. Okay, fine, I'll leave it for you.
They pick it up - my Ring camera shows an unusual person picking it up, but, as noted, I'm not overly concerned.
It gets interesting when I tell them that all of the text notifications ask "Press 1 for valid and press 2 for invalid". I press 2. The text fails to go out every time. Is it my phone causing the problem?
Anyway, nothing is happening, they're persistent, I feel like they're trying to help, and then they realize I am pressing "2" on the texts, and the woman says, "My supervisor says press 1".
Excuse me? 1 = yes, a valid charge. This gets my attention for the first time.
So, I call the bank, and we review all the fraudulent charges. Apparently, they were declined, but they are out there. The bank declines them all and removes them and I tell them I don't have the card so we decide it's stolen, easy deal, card cancelled, new card coming, new account number, etc.
The lady "helping" me calls. I told her I had all of the charges cancelled, terminated the card, and I'm getting a new one.
Click. Phone goes dead.
I laugh, and I send one more test.
"Press 1? Nice try!"
Bottom line - my card was compromised, I THINK at a Walmart where I never shop, but my girlfriend needed something there. Oh, well, no harm, no foul, except and unless those charges really happened and merchandise was stolen from the stores identified. That's unfortunate, but I escaped unscathed.
21st century!!!!
