Credit Card info stolen !!!

[Old TexMex]

I landed in Texas about a year ago, and my phone rings almost as soon as I switch it on. It's the security guy from my visa provider. He says"You were in Baja, weren't t you?" I said yeah "Are you in Bogota Colombia now?" I said no. He said "I didn't think so."
Charges were around $600.00, auto parts store... It didn't cost me anything other than botheration. I get new CC's pretty regularly, change pin and PWs all the time. It's a real hassle. Always call and tell them when I'm out of the country.
Only use a debit card in my home town, groceries and that.

 

[Ματθιας]

We do, as law allows. Problem is that most of the frauds are outside of the US or countries with legal agreements. Biggest offenders are Russia, Ukraine, and a few places in Africa.

That is actually cause of a cost you incur - issuers have to insure themselves against fraud. The insurance is often called on to pay. That hits the vendor who accepts your credit card.

Anyone wonder why those who accept credit cards ask for an upcharge?

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Cleveland48]

Thanks for the replies guys. Apparently this happens much more than I thought it did.

 

[forindooruseonly]

My SO was just spent $1400 at a bar in Cancun. I was going to joke about someone having more fun than us, but I just can't laugh it off. Debit card that was tied to her savings account. Since we are graduate students between school semesters and summer jobs, it was a significant blow not just a minor inconvenience. Disputes have been filed, we will see how the bank behaves.

I've noticed people tend to think stealing isn't that bad of a crime until it happens to them, then they tend to understand my attitude towards thieves.

 

[Gamecock]

This stuff is why I carry more than one credit card. I got stuck in Portland a few years ago because of card trouble, and I didn't have a second card. I always carry at least two now.

 

[e3mrk]

We were the Victims of Credit Card Fraud and Our Credit Union actually tracked the Guy down and had Him arrested.
We were lucky that the Store remembered the Guy because He charges just under $1000.00 for a Stereo System,And We got Our Money back in about a week.

 

[JJEH]

This is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me, and I was wondering if anyone else has ever went through this ?

Yes, a couple of years ago our info was stolen as well. We contacted the bank and they cancelled the cards and piece by piece we got the money back. It was more than $300 and we are happy that we got it all back. It just took awhile.

Btw, please file a police report and try to find out from where the purchase was made. Perhaps the FBI is interested as well.

 

[H Richard]

I got caught in the Home Depot hack. I had just ordered an item on line to be delivered to the local store. A couple days later I happened to be checking my account on line and there was a charge for $31 at Jack In The Box in Calif. I called my bank and they verified it was phony, cancelled the charge and issued me a new card. Just be sure to check with any companies yo may have an auto payment set up with. A friend had his satellite service charged to his card, then when it was hacked and a new # issued the satellite co. didn't get paid and he had to pay a penalty, an extra month and a reinstall fee.

 

[CO_Kid]

That's not so much true any more. Debit cards are now much more like credit cards. The banks are taking responsibility for the hacks, and the money is restored fairly quickly. It is, of course, up to you, to be diligent about watching your account.

This. A few years ago, my debit card was hacked to buy 1400 worth of stuff in Alexandria Egypt. The bank I had at the time, Academy Bank, wouldn't do jack, even though the transaction was in "pending" for 3-4 days. I called numerous times, spoke to numerous people, and all told me they could not cancel the transaction before my account was drained. Then I had to fill out paperwork AFTER the money came out, instead of being able to get that started in the time the charge was pending, then it took over a week to get my money back. Thank God I keep a few hundred in my safe at all times and have a couple credit cards. Then, while I was at the bank filling out the paperwork, one of the managers who gave me the paperwork, when I told her why I was there and what I needed, said "Oh, that's horrible, teeheehee", actually laughing. I called up as far as I could go with that complaint, which probably went nowhere, and switched banks the second the money was back in the account.

Now I'm with Ent federal credit union. Couldn't be happier. First thing I asked is how they would have handled my situation with Academy Bank. They said they'd have the money in the account the same day, and if after their investigation they found out I was lying, they'd simply take the money back. Two times fraudulent charges have been attempted, they were intercepted and I got a phone call. I said it wasn't me, they took care of the rest and sent me a new card.

Anyone in the Rocky Mountain area, avoid Academy Bank at all costs.

I always call my bank and credit card company before taking my trip to PA each year to let them know they'll be seeing charges there.

 

[kenv1950]

I carry two cards, i have one that i use all the time with a $500. limit Had to argue with the Credit Union to get that one, they said that low of a limit is for bad credit people with high interest, i just pay it off when i get home from using it, thats the only one i use on the internet also, If i get into a bind on the road i just transfer $$ to the card, I can't afford to be hacked, I play it safe

 

[Gamecock]

Had to argue with the Credit Union

I know what mean. I have had to call them more than once to tell them I DON'T WANT MY CREDIT LIMIT RAISED!

 

[Absalom]

It has happened with my B of A MC a few times, and I do get the impression that, as banks are taking the financial responsibility (I don't know anyone who's ever been held responsible for any fraudulent amount, including the first $50 when that was still widespread), their fraud alert systems are getting very sensitive. The last time, someone had charged just some computer games for maybe $80 or so and that was untypical enough for my spending pattern that it alerted and they had me call the next time I tried to use the card. Another time, I went on a road trip with my brother, and since he owed me some money, he paid food and lodging for a few days. When I then tried to pay for gas, maybe 500 miles from home, once again no-go without a phone chat with the bank fraud hotline, because it didn't fit within my usual spending parameters.
My credit card number is just not a sensitive piece of information I worry about overmuch any more. It , and I, seem well protected even if it is misused. As others have pointed out, bank accounts are much more critical.

 

[Grayfox]

It happened to me just about a month ago. I got a call from Visa asking if I had just charged $3.98 at a coffee shop in Witchita. I told them no.
I asked the guy I was speaking to about such a small fraudulent purchase. He explained that it was a fairly common ploy for card thieves. They make a small test purchase and if it goes through, that's when they really go to town. Lucky for me they caught it right off.
They cancelled my card, deducted the charge right then and I had a new card 3 days later.
I thought that was pretty good service.

 

[Gamecock]

It happened to me just about a month ago. I got a call from Visa asking if I had just charged $3.98 at a coffee shop in Witchita. I told them no.
I asked the guy I was speaking to about such a small fraudulent purchase. He explained that it was a fairly common ploy for card thieves. They make a small test purchase and if it goes through, that's when they really go to town. Lucky for me they caught it right off.
They cancelled my card, deducted the charge right then and I had a new card 3 days later.
I thought that was pretty good service.

Good deal. It makes me wonder what value you get companies like LifeLock.

 

[vytoland]

false charges on a credit card is a common occurance....it has happened to me a few times......credit card companies usually cancel the fraud and issue a new card.........it would be nice if the thief could be caught and placed on the chain gang...missing a finger....

 

[CO_Kid]

It happened to me just about a month ago. I got a call from Visa asking if I had just charged $3.98 at a coffee shop in Witchita. I told them no.
I asked the guy I was speaking to about such a small fraudulent purchase. He explained that it was a fairly common ploy for card thieves. They make a small test purchase and if it goes through, that's when they really go to town. Lucky for me they caught it right off.
They cancelled my card, deducted the charge right then and I had a new card 3 days later.
I thought that was pretty good service.

This is pretty much the "how to" on credit card fraud. Happens just about every time. They make a small purchase to test the card. If it doesn't go through, nobody is going to come hard after them for a $4 purchase. If it goes through, they go buy everything they wanted with it.

 

[ChuckS1]

Happened to me with my Pentagon Federal Credit Union card three times in the last 18 months. Each time PFCU called me to verify the suspect charges and closed my account and reissued cards. Think this is just the price we pay nowadays. Cash, anyone?

 

[M&P Freak]

There sure is a whole lotta fraud going on, and we're all paying for it one way or another.