Security Problem
 

If you are a Bank of Americard Visa Card holder be sure to check your emails today. We received notice this morning that our visa card account number has been changed - by Bank of Americard. There was no explanation as to 'why' this had been done - nor did the note indicate that our existing card would no longer work - nor that we would be receiving new cards in the mail. The email simply stated that the number had been changed and that 'we did not need to take any action'. Since the email was non-informative we called B of A. Evidently, there has been a security breech within a business that we have recently used, so, along with thousands of other customers, for security purposes B of A automatically changed the account numbers of all customers.

While this is quite an inconvenience - we have several automatic payments made through our charge card - We are pleased to know that B of A is prompt to take action in these cases. Unfortunately B of A will not tell us which business was involved. We have only used our card locally since being in TV - no on-line purchases either. Makes one wonder and a little nervous.

We have cards thru the Citizens bank here in The Villages...we recently got a letter from them as well that we'd be getting new cards etc. due to a possible (I'm thinking hacking??) infraction (somewhere...I don't remember all that it said). That did happen, we had to get rid of the old and also notify a couple of business that take $$$ our for payments. Most of our bills are paid directly from the bank withdrawing them so it wasn't that big of a deal for us.

Bank of America did the same with our AMEX card a few years ago. They told me, at the time, the problem was with QVC. I have continued to shop with QVC, with my new Amex number, and no problems. I also had to change a bunch of automatic charge payments, and the ironic thing is the only problem was I received a late notice from......QVC.... because I had something on "easy pay" (meaning they split up the charge over a few months and just bill your card each month), and I had not notified them of the new card number.

Last summer, Mom got a call from Bank of America. Someone called BoA with Mom's credit card number saying they moved to Texas and wanted a new card sent there. They put a deaf alert on the card. BoA was suspicious because Mom didn't have a deaf alert on her card. The inactivated card was in a safe place in our home and had never been used.

BoA hinted it may be an inside job. Their Fraud Department warned Mom these people may have all of her personal information. These folks obviously new her age and that is why they assumed she had a deaf alert on her account.

You said you received notice by email. That should ring all kinds of alarm bells. Most banks will tell you that they NEVER notify by email due to all the possibilities of email fraud. You may wish to call your bank and speak to a human and make absolutely certain you're not being scammed.

Totally agree. If you google Bank of America email scam....it has happened before. Make sure you call the bank directly and do not call any number on the email. Most times the email will ask for some personal info. That does not seem to be the case but I would still be concerned about an email from a bank. Just doesn't sit right. Be careful.

I agree. They also warn you not to open any links from a bank's email as it may not be authentic.

I was home when BoA called Mom last summer. I told her not to give them any information. They gave her a reference number and the Fraud Department's phone number. After they hung up, I called the local bank and verified that it was their Fraud Department's phone number. She then called the Fraud Department back. Who knew, if that original caller was really from BoA. In this case, it really was but you never know!

OP said they called B of A.

That's the first thing we did. The email did not contain detailed account information. Interesting to me that email was their only choice of communicating the change/problem. Had we been traveling or in a situation where we did not check our emails, we wouldn't have known about the problem until we tried to use our charge card, which would have been declined. A telephone call in addition to the email would have been wise, IMHO.

True, but hopefully not a phone number provided in the email. Hopefully the OP misstated but if they were contacted by Bank "americard" instead of Bank of America I would be highly suspicious and would be contacting a branch office quickly. The fact that they said they were changing her account number but not providing a new card raises all kinds of red flags!!!

I remember receiving a new card in the mail informing me of the change. I haven't had a problem but there were being super viligant.

:sigh:

I've used BoA since 1995, never had a problem until I lived in TV. My card was compromised 2 times in the last few yrs. BoA automatically cancelled my ATM card ans issued a new # to me. Be very careful. The manager told me NOT to use a debit card (if it's connected to your savings acct.)for purchases,but a credit card instead.

The email (which was from B of A) didn't state that we were receiving new cards but the person we spoke with told us we will be. All is well.

These repeated security scams are prompted me to switch to a cash only customer