Alot of Fraud going on!! Beware

[LynnDeb]

Heads up everyone, we had instances w 2 separate banks this past 2 wks....around Vets Day we were charged on Bruce's debt card over 99.00 from a Kangeroo Gas Station in Orlando, Fl. Tonite on my email (which didnt look like my correct email) from our bank w their logo to correct some info...I called them immediately I sent them the email and had to change our Id and password. The 99.00 we found out was actually signed for...wow, just want all of you to be aware of your cards, banks, etc

[Indydealmaker]

Heads up everyone, we had instances w 2 separate banks this past 2 wks....around Vets Day we were charged on Bruce's debt card over 99.00 from a Kangeroo Gas Station in Orlando, Fl. Tonite on my email (which didnt look like my correct email) from our bank w their logo to correct some info...I called them immediately I sent them the email and had to change our Id and password. The 99.00 we found out was actually signed for...wow, just want all of you to be aware of your cards, banks, etc

A lot of fraud is the fault of the credit card companies. They refuse to go to a photo on the cards and for some stupid reason they allow debit cards to be used without the pin numbers.

It would also help if cashiers would do their jobs. I wrote "check photo ID" on the back of my cards and only one in ten actually ask to see photo ID.

[LynnDeb]

That would be an excellent tool did you ever suggest to the banks or credit cards

[2BNTV]

Thanks for the heads up but I am painfully aware of this issue, as I had an episode of fraud for $99.00 on my credit card. Thank goodness my CC company saw this right away and deactivated my acccount.

They exercised due diligence, as I went to my son's in Ft. Lauderdale the following week. I made some large purchases while there, and the CC company stopped it again. If you can't use your CC card, I would call them to activate it, as this happened to me.

The only thing I can think of is, when I was at the gas station, someome had stole some information as I had not lost my CC. A friend of mine had refused using his CC at a gas station and I remember him commenting, he was supicious of someone stealing the CC information. Maybe he was right?

It's always good idea to be diligent and deal with a company who will be suspicious of transactions. It's always a good idea to call them if your going on a trip, or else they might deactivate your account, if they see a different zip code for your purchases. I am talking about a far away trip and not a city near your zip code.

Thank you for posting this.

[LynnDeb]

Thanks for the heads up but I am painfully aware of this issue, as I had an episode of fraud for $99.00 on my credit card. Thank goodness my CC company saw this right away and deactivated my acccount.

They exercised due diligence, as I went to my son's in Ft. Lauderdale the following week. I made some large purchases while there, and the CC company stopped it again. If you can't use your CC card, I would call them to activate it, as this happened to me.

The only thing I can think of is, when I was at the gas station, someome had stole some information as I had not lost my CC. A friend of mine had refused using his CC at a gas station and I remember him commenting, he was supicious of someone stealing the CC information. Maybe he was right?

It's always good idea to be diligent and deal with a company who will be suspicious of transactions. It's always a good idea to call them if your going on a trip, or else they might deactivate your account, if they see a different zip code for your purchases. I am talking about a far away trip and not a city near your zip code.

Thank you for posting this.
The 99.00 incident was with citizens bank the officer asked me if anyone from security contacted us. NO I told her I saw it and reported it.
Chase bank is on top of these things so u know which bank we will stay w and the one is going

[LynnDeb]

This is a sore topic w people but in this crazy world we live in I wanted our neighbors to know what's going on and please be on top of it

[2BNTV]

It seems funny to me these charges are $99.00. I wonder if the $99 is the least they can charge, without it becoming a felony. :(

Just sayin........

[TrudyM]

A lot of fraud is the fault of the credit card companies. They refuse to go to a photo on the cards and for some stupid reason they allow debit cards to be used without the pin numbers.

It would also help if cashiers would do their jobs. I wrote "check photo ID" on the back of my cards and only one in ten actually ask to see photo ID.

Same here and if the amount is under $500 the police won't even take a report even if you know who is doing it. Someone copied our number off our card when we used it in a restaurant and then used it at a spa for themselves and their daughter. They charged $10 less than the limit for what the police will investigate big shocker. They did not have the card or Id that matched and were not even the same race. My husband went to the spa and got pictures of the people from their security camera and identified the server and the police would do nothing. Really made us angry. They said that it costs too much to prosecute for any amount under $500.

[SALYBOW]

I had a charge of 24.00 from 3322 North First whuch is a scam. Went to the bank to report it.

[OBXNana]

We had three separate charges for $7.95 and not known to us. Within 10 minutes of the charges showing up, the fraud department from American Express called to verify the charges. When we said we had not made the charges, our credit card was cancelled, and a new one issued.

They said small amounts like this send up red flags with online purchases. Scammers play the number game to see if the charges go through and then move up to more expensive items. They don't actually have your info, put in random numbers, and hope they stick. It's online gaming, gambling, and not goods. Something we all have to watch as we go into the holiday season.

In this case, it was a point of sale and even more scary. Thank you for making us aware of the situation. It can happen anywhere.

[PaPaLarry]

A lot of fraud is the fault of the credit card companies. They refuse to go to a photo on the cards and for some stupid reason they allow debit cards to be used without the pin numbers.

It would also help if cashiers would do their jobs. I wrote "check photo ID" on the back of my cards and only one in ten actually ask to see photo ID.
Had the same experience!! Asked clerk, aren't you going to check my ID, and she said why? LOL

[2BNTV]

We had three separate charges for $7.95 and not known to us. Within 10 minutes of the charges showing up, the fraud department from American Express called to verify the charges. When we said we had not made the charges, our credit card was cancelled, and a new one issued.

They said small amounts like this send up red flags with online purchases. Scammers play the number game to see if the charges go through and then move up to more expensive items. They don't actually have your info, put in random numbers, and hope they stick. It's online gaming, gambling, and not goods. Something we all have to watch as we go into the holiday season.

In this case, it was a point of sale and even more scary. Thank you for making us aware of the situation. It can happen anywhere.

:agree: I always make a point, to viewing my CC bill for charges, that I didn't occur. I gave up doing the math, as the totals are always correct as it computer generated. If the total looks fishy, I'll break out my trusty calculator.

One time a company charged me for a piece of software, that I never bought.

There are a lot of scammers in this world so it pays to be diligent with one's finances. As I often say, "it doesn't pay to be stupid about money".

[jblum315]

I was pleasantly surprised to get a refund on a financial-advice subscription that I canceled. She said they would refund the money and sure enough there it is the next day. Doesn't usually happen that way.

[Jaggy]

My husband's Debit card # was used in Pensacola at Bed Bath & Beyond for $1500 - our bank called us on a Sunday morning saying the charge looked suspicious. the funds were put back in our acct and we filed a report.. the gal at the bank indicated this was very common and the # could have been taken months ago or taken yesterday.. no way to check where they got the information. new card was issued.

[asianthree]

We are using cash only when we go out but if I have to use a credit card American Express will fix anything with no worries

[The Buckeyes]

Last Dec both my wife and I had our Discover Cards compromised in the same week. After that I always notify them of travel plans, what states we will travel thru but, even this does not always work in your favor. Went for LSV last Jan with no problems. Went for Design Mtg in March and while shopping at Walmart (466) both of our cards were denied...if it happened to you... you know how embarrassing it is. Got back to the rental villa, called and gave them an earful as they did have our travel plans documented. Same thing happened in May when we closed on the house. Same Walmart (466), my card denied but they actually called on the way back to the home and yes they had our travel plans documented. I thanked him for the call, informed him of the situation in March (they had it documented) and said this is strike two and one more will deem a switch to mastercard!
:cus:

[murray607]

We are using cash only when we go out but if I have to use a credit card American Express will fix anything with no worries

I avoid usage of credit cards as much as possible. However a couple of things
stand out for me when using credit cards in Canada vs US.

Our VISA card ussued by Royal Bank of Canada, here in Canada has an imbedded chip and we always use it by inserting the chip end of the card instead of swiping the magnetic strip.

The VISA card which was issued by Royal Bank of Canada USA, only has the magnetic strip. I think the chip card provides a better level of security, as it is possible for the magnetic strip information to be downloaded from your card, but apparently not the information on the chip.

I never use my credit card when the store uses the old fashioned manual (impressing/embossing) method of processing.

Three years ago, as the Finance Committe Chair of our local ambulance board, I was made aware of a fraud on one of our vehicle fleet credit cards used for purchase of gas.

From the investigator, I was told the following.

The perpatrators make credit cards which are just like the originals. Then one of two things happen. They either upload the information that was fraulently obtained when you card was used at a store by an individual using a separate card scanner to get this information. It is your name that is on the card.

Another method is to make up a look-alike card where they have not used a card scanner. The thiefs know the main numbers that should be on the card and add sequential numbers to that and input bogus information to the magnetic strip. In this case they add a fictitious name to the card.

In the case of our Board, we were one of many defrauded. What surprised me was when this happened it came to light that the main perpatrator was a man quite well known in Canada for past charitable work. See the link below.

Steve Fonyo charged with fraud related to credit card | CTV News (http://www.ctvnews.ca/steve-fonyo-charged-with-fraud-related-to-credit-card-1.539732)

[Markam]

Capitol One MasterCard holders can configure their account to send them an email every time their card is used. I regularly get the email within a minute of using my card. This feature also serves to alert me if an incorrect amount was charged. I imagine other credit cards offer a similar service.

[casita37]

Just an FYI, if you pay at the pump with a credit card, they will automatically put a large charge on the card before allowing you to pump gas. The Shell on 466 puts $95 on the card. It usually takes 2 or 3 days to drop off and the actual sales amount to appear.

[Barefoot]

Our VISA card issued by Royal Bank of Canada, here in Canada has an imbedded chip and we always use it by inserting the chip end of the card instead of swiping the magnetic strip. I think the chip card provides a better level of security, as it is possible for the magnetic strip information to be downloaded from your card, but apparently not the information on the chip.

The embedded chip cards are commonplace in Canada. When a chip card is used, the user is then required to enter a four digit "private password" number.

I haven't seen any machines in The Villages that read chip cards. I'm curious, are embedded chip cards not used in Florida?

[CFrance]

The embedded chip cards are commonplace in Canada. When a chip card is used, the user is then required to enter a four digit "private password" number.

I haven't seen any machines in The Villages that read chip cards. I'm curious, are embedded chip cards not used in Florida?

They are all over Europe and have been for over a decade. They are more secure, but the American credit card companies won't spend the money to switch their cards over. There is one bank--I think it's Chase, but don't quote me--that started offering a chipped card last spring. But I haven't seen a chip reader in any of the states we've traveled through, which would be MI to the east coast, and south through FL. Maybe someone else has run across them?

Another practice common in Europe is that when you pay at a restaurant, they bring a portable scanner to your table and run the charge in front of you. Your cc never leaves your sight.

[gustavo]

It seems funny to me these charges are $99.00. I wonder if the $99 is the least they can charge, without it becoming a felony. :(

Just sayin........

most gas stations charge $95 or $99 until the actual gas amt comes through. Probably just an overreaction.

[Matzy]

I already went through it after my credit card was used from someone in Chicago while I was in Florida. The bank called me right away and also sent emails. Within one hour the credit card number was eliminated, and the bank (BoA) did send us a refund of the amount right away. Okay, I had to wait for a new credit card for 4 days. It was/is a great service.