Credit card fraud...maybe at Bravo's?

[villages07]

On Wednesday, 6/27, we dined at Bravos for the first time in a long while. Mr 07 paid the bill with his credit card. This card hadn't otherwise been used recently and not at a restaurant in a couple of weeks.

Credit card company called today and over $700 of fraudulent charges were made in Tennessee on the 28th... Gas, Walmart, Kmart, etc.

We have no proof that the Bravo staff compromised the card, but, it is certainly suspicious. Anybody else have a similar recent experience with Bravos?

The food and service were good but this certainly left a sour taste. Mr 07 called Bravos and spoke with a manager to inform him of the issue. Of course, he was defensive but at least alerted.

[BarryRX]

On Wednesday, 6/27, we dined at Bravos for the first time in a long while. Mr 07 paid the bill with his credit card. This card hadn't otherwise been used recently and not at a restaurant in a couple of weeks.

Credit card company called today and over $700 of fraudulent charges were made in Tennessee on the 28th... Gas, Walmart, Kmart, etc.

We have no proof that the Bravo staff compromised the card, but, it is certainly suspicious. Anybody else have a similar recent experience with Bravos?

The food and service were good but this certainly left a sour taste. Mr 07 called Bravos and spoke with a manager to inform him of the issue. Of course, he was defensive but at least alerted.
I've eaten there many times without any problems at all. Sorry to hear about your problem but glad that the credit card company caught it right away. The timing of the incident is suspicious, but certainly not conclusive.

[tag460]

When the UPS dropped off my new credit card this week because our account was compromised he said he delivered around 250 new cards here in TV. That's just his route, he he said that there were over a thousand new ones delivered here in TV, Check your statements!!!!

[LittleDog]

That's one of the reasons that when I dine out I pay by cash.

John

[raynan]

2 of my neighbors just got their Mastercards replaced after a fraud alert. After comparing notes on where they may have both used their cards, they thought it was from ordering airline tickets online.

[Redrok]

I had a similar incident in Louisville where my credit card info was used. I suspected the server. But I received a call from a Louisville Police Detective who had traced the fraudulent charges. The credit card info was taken from my doctor's office by one of the staff (along with many others). I track all my charges on-line now daily to make sure there are no suspicious activities.

[njbchbum]

when i first ventured onto the internet a wise person suggested that users obtain a secured credit card for use in signing up for internet service. i found a company that offered me $250 credit for a $50 deposit with a bank in south dakota. checked out the bank to make sure it WAS a bank and made my deposit. now, that was YEARS ago but i am still using that card today! have no store credit cards and just use my secured card - especially for my on-line shopping. the credit card agreement comes with all of today's usual protections - BUT - purchases that would put the total beyond that $250 limit would be declined rather than processed and a penalty assessed for the overage. it really works for me 'cause i don't have to worry if it is taken away by a server in a restaurant. with such a small charging limit it can pretty much remember every place i use it each month!

[carm310]

You should also be able to sign up with your current credit and bank accounts online to send you email notices with certain types of transactions and pretty much any amount of transaction limits to receive alerts on. I do this with my credit card and bank accounts. I also check our accounts daily as we have been victims of this type of fraud in the past. It is not much fun trying to clean up after something like this. Even the smallest breach takes at least a month to straighten out.

[asianthree]

:ohdear:

[Gerald]

I have found that using a credit card is like throwing dice. sooner or later some one steals the numbers and uses it. I switched to a debit card and check it every day. Placed a limit on purchases so that I will need to call up bank for approval for over that amount. IT has so far worked for me.

[casita37]

After reading another thread on this topic, a couple of weeks ago, I followed a poster's advice and signed up for notifications if my card # is used when the card is not actually swiped at the pos.

Whenever possible, I use my PayPal account to pay on line. I can still use the credit card, but it goes through PP, and I don't have to provide my CC #.

I have heard that debit cards are more vulnerable than credit cards. Anyone know of that is true? I really like the idea of the secured credit card with a small limit for regular on line shopping, too.

Finally...I received an offer through my AAA membership for a company called LifeLock, for identity theft protection. I may look into doing that, either through that company, or one of the others. Anyone have a company they recommend?

[jojo]

Master Card called recently to alert me to fraudulent activity on my card. They indicated that I probably was a victim of a computer random number generator. They closed the account, credited the fraudulent charges, and overnighted a new card.

[NotGolfer]

Have heard that some of the crooks have software that scans numbers that they run. When they hit "paydirt" they start charging! We had this happen about 2 1/2 or 3 years ago...first a small amount then the next day or so, more $$$. Fortunately for us, "someone" who lives at our house checks the internet daily (checking accounts and charge cards) to make sure there isn't hanky/panky and it was caught quickly.

Not sure if folks at Bravo's is at fault, but maybe you could speak with the manager there. Just saying!!

[natickdan]

I had a similar experience last year after booking travel from TV to Orlando airport. Within 24 hours of using my credit card, there were a number of fraudulent charges on my credit card. I shared my concern with the owner of the transportation company and, of course, they denied any responsibility.

My lesson learned is that scams exist everywhere and, yes, even in TV. If you are going to charge something, you may want to do so with your credit card rather than a debit card and be diligent about checking your statements.

[carm310]

Finally...I received an offer through my AAA membership for a company called LifeLock, for identity theft protection. I may look into doing that, either through that company, or one of the others. Anyone have a company they recommend?[/QUOTE]

We signed up for LifeLock at the end of last year after someone got into our cell phone account - they added & shipped new phones to another state, changed our primary language to Spanish and changed what we would have been paying each month. (Our last name is Hispanic) I became suspicious after receiving an email in Spanish from Verizon but didn't call until we received additional materials in the mail with the order info. They were able to intercept the shipment as fraud and the bad guys never got their phones (at least not from us!)

Prior to this over a three year period we had two fraud activities against our debit cards at one bank and then someone accessed our checking account number at a bank we switched to thinking they were larger and would have more security. For what we had to go through to fix the last one I would have given the thief the $35 they stole from us.

Anyway, LifeLock seems to work, they quickly recognize any activity we have on our accounts and email as well as call alerts to you. You then go into your account and tell them whether it was you or not. I hate that it is an added expense but there is an added level of security. Someone I work with had their entire identity stolen a few years ago and he is still trying to fix it - lawyers are involved as well as all his finances.

I am still diligent to check our accounts nearly everyday. The best you can do is take the 5 minutes or so each day to recognize and at least stop things in their tracks should they happen.

[Madelaine Amee]

We had a credit card problem some years ago, the fraud was committed in a very clever way. My husband's credit card showed two charges of $14.99 per month, he asked if they were my charges, I never ever use this particular card, so no they were not my charges. Then he looked back and found that we had been charged $14.99 twice a month on this same card for the past three months. I got onto the internet and found that they were one and same online "Vegas Fun" company! Turns out their way of doing business was to keep the charges under $15.00 because people rarely question small amounts on their bill. Since this time we check everything on the bill!

The bank made good on the problem, but where a "Fun" company got our number we have absolutely no idea.

[BritParrothead]

Happened to me in Scotland last June, over $3.000 charged to my card!! master card caught it straight away

[bestmickey]

I was visiting TV in April and May. On April 14, I had a debit on my debit card for $14.95 from FreeCreditReport.com. I didn't immediately investigate, thinking that at some point I must have clicked on the wrong thing on the computer, and ordered something. (I later found I shouldn't have questioned myself.) Then the debit appeared again in May. Once I got home in June, I called FreeCreditReport and reported the fraudulent charges. They looked within their system and asked me if I knew "Jennifer" since the charges were to provide "Jennifer" with monthly credit reports. Got credited for those charges, and had my debit card number blocked for FreeCreditReport services.

Then in June, there was a $100 debit from Amazon.com for a gift card. Also, a $1 debit from RIRhapsody music service. I caught these the same day the debits appeared and had the money credited to my account. Since, I've closed the debit card and received a new one. Henceforth, I won't be using the debit card for anything but cash withdrawls at ATM's. Unfortunate, because it is so handy. Will instead use charge cards since they offer better protections for reimbursement from fraudulent activities.

I don't know where the debit card info was stolen. I can tell you, however, that up until the time fraudulent activity happened, I had only used the card at two locations in TV ... Walmart's and the Pharmacy counter in the Publix Colony Plaza location. Of course, I can't prove either of these sources as the link to the fraudulent activity. Just want to add my cautions to the rest of the peeps here. I know the card wasn't "scanned" because I keep the cards in special envelopes to protect from scanning (see Identity Stronghold - #1 Manufacturer of RFID Blocking Wallets, Sleeves and Badge Holders (http://www.idstronghold.com/default.asp)).

[Jasper1963]

My credit card recently showed a charge of about$800 in Michigan which I have not visited in 10 years.i only use this card to charge restaurant meals mostly in the Villages. Those are the only facilities where your charge card actually leaves your presence as the wait staff leaves with your bill.
Be careful

[graciegirl]

When several people that I know well and completely respect said that this has happened here, especially the OP...... on this old thread revived today, we took heed.

We now pay cash for meals here.

I think njbchbum also gave excellent advice as well.

As many of you know I am a huge sceptic but when I know the posters well and know they are NOT alarmists, I trust their advice and thank them for their heads up.

We do try to watch out for each other here.

[Cedwards38]

I had an American Express card compromised by someone who loaded up on iTunes music. Fortunately, AMEX ate the charges and now I get an immediate text message anytime my card has a charge made to it without the card actually being present, including when I do that myself.

[JourneyOfLife]

If it did happen at a restaurant the person will eventually get caught.

Since they were successful and not caught, they will no doubt do it again. Multiple incidents will give the credit card company the ability to triangulate the different incidents and eventually identify who did it.

If it happened to me and I suspected that I had good reason to believe it occurred at a particular business. I would contact the Head Restaurant Manager and tell them about it. Sometimes those places have cameras setup and may have filmed something... provide them with the date and time. The receipt should have codes for the wait staff and whoever rang it up!

But, you might also consider that the credit card information may have been compromised in other ways or at another business, perhaps through some other source (prior internet purchase).

[doran]

After finding out that some one in Chicago had used my Social Security number for nine years without my knowledge--A bank manager told me the name and I followed through and got the companies that gave him credit to cancel all his credit cards etc: He was also arrested--As I was born in Chicago te same year he was our Social Secruity number were one number apart--He had gone bankrupt almost 10 years before using his Social Security number and the police in Chicago advised me that the chances were he would walk away from his debts of $91M using my Social Security number leaving me holding the bag! He would then revert back to his own SS number and start over! please also remember it is a felony to have two people using the same Social Security number and the credit reporting companys did not care until my report and now they must due a check to see who legaly owns that Social Security number--It is a good idea when requesting your credit reports to ask that the reporting company to make sure no one else is using your Social Security number!
The cost to me to take care of this matter was well over $2000.00 and three months of work, as well as air tickets to Chicago to sign paper work with the Police department to have him arrested!
Before we moved to the Villages in December of 2011 from Palos Verdes California I paid off and closed all of my credit cards, opened two savings accounts and two debit cards for personal use--in one of the debit card accounts I transfer money as need into that account avoiding problems with credit card fraud! I also check both bank accounts on line every day
Susan

[scarecrow1]

A quick message about your Medicare numbers/SMS numbers. There is a ring that started in Tampa and is now throughout the US. They are stealing your SS number through your doctor's office. They are paying people in the offices big amounts of money to give out list of Medicare numbers that just happens to be your SS number with a letter. Then they file a false income tax to get your tax return. When you go to file you are rejected because you already filed. This was on Rock Center last night but they failed to mention that they were getting the SS numbers through doctors offices. Make sure your doctors office has your Medicare numbers secure. It just happened to a friend of mine and he was telling us about it Thursday. He had mentioned that he went to a couple of regent care places and to see a couple of doctors. Doesn't know where they got his info but the attorney general and IRS are investigating. He will now have to go through a bunch of trouble and expense.

[rubicon]

In 1988 I was having som testing done. I looked up on the computer screen and listed were my name, address, date of birth social security number and name of health carrier. i complained bitterly for the longest time. Advance to 2013 and that same information is displayed everywhere in the medical community. The fix isn't a rocket scientist regime

[grandma-annie]

My credit card was also compromised here in the Villages... I did not eat at Bravo's.... so it happened somewhere else... I had several late bills that were on automatic pay as the bank shut my card down... This really upset me and caused quite a bit of stress. I wish we could find out where this is happening.

[silvertoken]

I rarely used the card myself, but then I used it at Applebees. Bank notified me right away of the extra charge from a mysterious place. Was issued a new card. Just happened a week ago, had to wait a few days for a new card.

[elevatorman]

There are 2 different laws that protect us, The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA). This site explains your liability for both credit and debit cards. Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards | Consumer Information (http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0213-lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-and-debit-cards#Limit)

[Cantwaittoarrive]

We pay cash for almost everything and check our bank account on line daily. We keep a small amount of money in the account for our debit card and do not have overdraft protection, that way it someone does get the number and tries to charge more than $10 it will not go through. When we are going to use our debit card for larger shopping we go online, transfer the money we will need for the shopping into the debit account and if we don't use all of it we transfer the extra back out when we get home. There are readers out there that can electronically read your credit / debit card information right through your wallet / purse without you ever using or removing the card so it possible for your card to be compromised without you even using the card.

[CFrance]

I don't like to pay cash for anything. I like the double miles I get per dollar on my Cap One Visa, so I charge as much as I can. Yes, the card has been compromised twice, but we were not liable for any of it, and Capital One called us immediately and sent us new cards next day air.

In European restaurants, your card never leaves your sight. The server brings a card reader to your table, and it reads prints out a receipt there for you to sign. Also, European credit cards have chips in them that are much more secure and harder to steal than our magnetic strips. All this technology is available to the US credit card companies and restaurants, but they will not spend the money on it.

[Bogie Shooter]

Was it ever proven that this occurred at Bravo's???
Sad that a thread, nearly a year old, that may be false was raised from the dead to put once again a bad light on Bravo's.

[batman911]

Your credit card provider will cover any fraudulent charges for you. If you use a debit card YOU are responsible for any fraudulent charges and the bank will not refund your money. I had the same thing happen on a previous visit to TV. I strongly suspect that it was our waitress at Codys that captured the credit card number since the fraud started shortly after a visit to that establishment. The businesses cannot be blamed for what crooked employees do but should be more careful about who they hire. I have my credit card company send and immediate email to me when any charge over $.01 appears. I was using my email when I saw the first fraudlent charge pop up from TN and immediately called the credit card company security who shut down the account and issued a new card to me. I now keep an eye on wait staff when they have my card.

[CFrance]

Your credit card provider will cover any fraudulent charges for you. If you use a debit card YOU are responsible for any fraudulent charges and the bank will not refund your money. I had the same thing happen on a previous visit to TV. I strongly suspect that it was our waitress at Codys that captured the credit card number since the fraud started shortly after a visit to that establishment. The businesses cannot be blamed for what crooked employees do but should be more careful about who they hire. I have my credit card company send and immediate email to me when any charge over $.01 appears. I was using my email when I saw the first fraudlent charge pop up from TN and immediately called the credit card company security who shut down the account and issued a new card to me. I now keep an eye on wait staff when they have my card.

How can you "keep an eye on waitstaff" when they take your cc and walk away with it? This really need to change. US restaurants need to get the card readers that waitstaff take to the table so your cc is never out of your sight. Public pressure... Like maybe paying for your $12.95 lunch with a hundred dollar bill, and then telling the manager why!

[The Buckeyes]

How can you "keep an eye on waitstaff" when they take your cc and walk away with it? This really need to change. US restaurants need to get the card readers that waitstaff take to the table so your cc is never out of your sight. Public pressure... Like maybe paying for your $12.95 lunch with a hundred dollar bill, and then telling the manager why!

This is a [B]VERY GOOD IDEA[B]. Both my wife and I had our cards compromised in December but, it was before we had ever been to TV and...neither of us used our cards at the same location. I always have an uneasy feeling when they walk away with the card. Anyone using Lifelock? Are they as good as they say they are?