$*&%(%^#^#@* Credit Thieves

[skater]

A couple years ago, we were looking at one of our credit card statements and found a $600 charge to T-Mobile (we use AT&T). We called our credit card company to dispute the charge, and the customer service rep started going through the other recent purchases to confirm they were legitimate. He listed a few, and I said, "Yes, those are all good." Then he asked, "$220 to ... thirty-one?" I started to say, "I don't know what that is," but my wife jumped in and said, "That's legit." I said, "WHAT is thirty-one?"

And that's how I learned about Thirty-One, the maker of expensive bags sold via direct marketing. That charge was just the first sign of an addiction my wife has for them.

 

[BackdoorArts]

Jake, I sure hope that you're right about the resolution being easier if they contacted me.

WM

In each case I was required to go through a list of charges made in the days leading up to the identified fraud and identify which were fraudulent. We were not responsible for paying out on any of these, ever - no further questions asked (this is with a CitiBank Mastercard). Biggest pain was having to update all the automatic payments we had going to it (cell phones, Netflix, web hosting, etc.) to prevent payments from rejecting.

The oddest thing about the fraud was two out of the 3 times we experienced it we used the card at the exact same restaurant, and both times during an outdoor festival where they extended seating outdoors and did about 3-5X the business they normally do. We could never be sure if this was purely coincidence or if there was some connection, but we stopped using credit cards there (it was the only time we ever really visited). I suspect coincidence in at least one case because the first incident of fraud involved a swiped copy of the card 1000 miles away and producing a fake card with magnetic strip remotely, while possible, is a little too high tech for a $55 grocery grab. We suspect a kid at a local gas station was swiping cards - one more reason I hate NJ's law prohibiting pumping your own gas. With all we do to protect our identities and credit card accounts online, we are still required to hand the card over to gas station attendants and waitresses, who then disappear with it (either behind a wall or in a car's blind spot).

 

[BackdoorArts]

FYI, for all concerned, keep an eye out for strange, small amounts on your card and/or bank account - even deposits or payments. When accounts are compromised, thieves will often use this as a test to make sure the access credentials they have are correct before wiping the account clean. While credit card fraud is easier to deal with, money yanked from bank accounts through debit cards is another story entirely and does not have the same level of protection. I will not use a debit card for this reason. We use our credit cards like debit cards, paying them in full every month - while also accruing mileage rewards, which is nice.

 

[hark]

Sorry to hear about this but glad you were contacted.

Many years ago I got a call from Crutchfield to confirm a camera purchase (not mine). When I called the credit card company, they said the card was also used to buy gas and groceries several states away. Someone also used it to create an online account via the credit card company because I had never opened one myself. The name and address was changed, but they forgot to change the phone number which is why Crutchfield called me instead of the bad guy. Fortunately it was all cleared up quickly.

 

[aroy]

There was a time when card cloning was a big scam in Thailand. Those who came back from a short trip to Thailand, were asked to cancel their Visa cards and get new one. Luckily AMEX never had these problems.

Because of credit/debit card frauds, the Government of India has introduced a few steps to reduce fraud :
. All cards must be chipped.
. You have to provide cell phone number, so that a transaction ID is sent to it, when ever the card is used over the net for payments. This is both for the cards and bank accounts.
. For cards you can register your cell phone, so that every transaction is reported. You can dispute the charges immediately.
. Restaurants that accept cards must have mobile card readers so that the machine is brought to the table to enter the PIN.

So now it is safer, but thieves get ahead even then. Here are a few examples that have been highlighted in press.
. The thieves got the cell number changed, then after a few days changed the address. After that they got the card cancelled and a new one delivered to the new address.
. Same method used to clean up bank accounts. Here they changed the user ID and password.
. Some one rings up your phone and manages to frighten you into revealing your bank/card accounts. This rarely works, but one hit in a thousand is good enough.
. Phishing mail that redirect you to a clone bank site to get your ID and password.

 

[sonicbuffalo_RIP]

I just got an alert via e-mail last week asking me to call a certain credit card company as there had been an attempt deemed as fraudulent on the card. I called the company, went through verifying my information, and indeed, someone had attempted to scam us out of about $150.00. I know that the credit company I called was the right number, because I called the number on the back of the card, and they never asked me for the security code on the back of the card. They said they would issue me new cards for this account, and that they had prevented the fraud. I guess I was just lucky, and the credit card company was on their toes to spot this fraud. Whenever I am traveling overseas, I always notify the CC companies where I will be traveling and the dates of travel. I am hoping that I never have an experience like @Whiskeyman, but I am less sure about that now that I've read these posts.

 

[fotojack]

I NEVER have my credit or debit card leave my sight! That's just asking for trouble! I have a couple of cards I keep a very low limit on...nothing over $500.

Chipped cards can be scanned right through your wallet/purse without you even knowing it:

New credit cards pose security problem - Technology & Science - CBC News

Smartphone Used To Scan Data From Chip-Enabled Credit Cards - Slashdot

There's lots more like these, but you get the idea.

 

[Whiskeyman]

A few years back our credit card company called and asked if we were in the UK. Some one bought movies tickets there. They canceled the card. A few days later they called again, some one bought chocolates in the UK on my husbands business credit card. They canceled that card also. We weren't charged for either transaction. Guess they were testing the cards, because both charges combined were about $50US.

The only way the info could have been taken on both cards was if some one scanned his wallet. It was just before Christmas and we had no credit cards. We now use RFID wallets.

Edit: I knew aluminum foil works, but he's a link to make your own wallet - How To Make A RFID Blocking Wallet

I'm looking for one of those this week since I have one card with a chip. Hopefully, the replacement card will have a chip as well.

WM

 

[Whiskeyman]

Well, I spent part of today at the police department providing information and data to a police officer. Once he finished interviewing me, he was going to visit the store where the fraudulent transactions occurred to check video. I had previously called the manager at one store, and he told me that they should have video of the person conducting the transaction. If they can get anything from the stores, such as video of the jerk committing the fraud, they will turn it over to an investigator. However, the officer told me that it is a long shot to actually arrest someone over this. I do have high confidence that they'll do their best.

WM

 

[Deezey]

Also...i don't know it has been said....but all my accounts alert me via text and email to any charge over $20. And I usually get a text within 30 minutes.

 

[Marilynne]

I'm looking for one of those this week since I have one card with a chip. Hopefully, the replacement card will have a chip as well.

WM

I know a lot of people don't shop at Walmart, but that's where I got Chris'. I got mine at Beall's. A lot of them are leather now, but back then, all they had were aluminum. Good luck with the police.