Credit card fraud

[Kmvreter]

Just got my card statement and was checking the charges.
There were 3 identical charges back to back on the same day for U$14.99 for "Amazon Digital Svcs (with a phone number)". These charges stood out from the rest because they are in US funds on a Canadian card and they were all together. I haven't bought anything recently from Amazon.
Called the bank and they had no other details.
Called the 1-866 number for Amazon. After a lengthy period back and forth they came back and confirmed the 3 transactions are fraudulent but are unable to just reverse the charges and credit my card because the original Amazon order number isn't mine. They could not explain how the charges happened in order to avoid this in the future. Amazon was very good and even sent an email confirming everything so that I can take that to my bank.
Called the bank again to put a hold on and cancel the card. New card is on the way but I still have the minor hassle of some cleanup paperwork.

I already do it but lesson learned from this, if you don't already, is to take a close look at your monthly statement. If this had been a single transaction, and without a foreign currency conversion, it might have slipped through.

Be careful out there.

 

[bofa]

Just got my card statement and was checking the charges.
There were 3 identical charges back to back on the same day for U$14.99 for "Amazon Digital Svcs (with a phone number)". These charges stood out from the rest because they are in US funds on a Canadian card and they were all together. I haven't bought anything recently from Amazon.
Called the bank and they had no other details.
Called the 1-866 number for Amazon. After a lengthy period back and forth they came back and confirmed the 3 transactions are fraudulent but are unable to just reverse the charges and credit my card because the original Amazon order number isn't mine. They could not explain how the charges happened in order to avoid this in the future. Amazon was very good and even sent an email confirming everything so that I can take that to my bank.
Called the bank again to put a hold on and cancel the card. New card is on the way but I still have the minor hassle of some cleanup paperwork.

I already do it but lesson learned from this, if you don't already, is to take a close look at your monthly statement. If this had been a single transaction, and without a foreign currency conversion, it might have slipped through.

Be careful out there.

Been to Target lately?

Target confirms massive credit-card data breach

I'm pretty sure this is what compromised my Chase card a few weeks ago. Luckily they were on it before I even noticed.

 

[MtnT4R]

hey OP, do you use a true credit card, or a bank card? Its been my understanding that with a bank card, you personally suffer the hit with fraudulent charges until the investigations are closed and you are credited the lost sum, whereas with a credit card, you are spending the card company's money, not yours, so there is less personal exposure if your number gets swiped.

I have had my number stolen 3 times, and each time Visa just credits my account, opens an investigation, and changes my card #. pretty darn efficient actually. and my personal bank account liability is basically zero.

Edit: Thieves have been getting smarter, and typically charge cards no more than $20 at a time because those smaller transactions fade into the background much more easily than a $100 charge someplace youve never been. With the sheer number of transactions the average person puts on their card each month, a lot more detailed diligence is required to find the rat. Glad you found out before it was too late.

 

[zacattack20]

I've had a problem with Walmart. I purchased a cable from them a few years ago and made an account and stored by debit card number. Less than a year ago I had a charge from Walmart.com for $95 from Arkansas. Called my bank and they refunded me the money right away and cancelled the card. I looked it up and I guess a bunch of people had their numbers stolen from Walmart.com. Then I just purchased a tv from Walmart on Black Friday and I had to go online to finish the transaction and I ended up buying a protection plan for $9 so I had to use my card but I didn't store my number this time. Then a week or so later I get a call from my bank because there were two charges for $4 and $8 for hotels in Oklahoma and Georgia on the same day. I am pretty sure it had something to do with walmart again.

 

[Kmvreter]

hey OP, do you use a true credit card...

Thieves have been getting smarter, and typically charge cards no more than $20 at a time because those smaller transactions fade into the background... a lot more detailed diligence is required to find the rat...

A true VISA card. Simple card replacement and sign their paperwork. No skin off my accounts.
I also have another (MasterCard) so that I'm not left hanging without a card to use.

Diligence is the keyword.

 

[Millerad1651]

I got a call from Chase a month ago asking if I was in Japan. Apparently, someone was buying $9k worth of duty free goods. I told the lady that although I had eaten sushi the night before, it was from Indianapolis, not Japan. And it was no where near $9k!

And a few years back we had our debit card stolen when my truck was broken in to. In 10 mutes, they used my card at three different gas stations (buying cartons of cigs) for a total of $400. Chase refunded me immediately, and went ahead with the investigation. So far I've had decent luck with Chase when it comes to fraud protection.

 

[slapdappy]

they will start with a few small charges to see if it works, then make larger purchases. They keep it under $500 so it is not a felony and it is such a small amount no one will bother pursuing it. When I inquired about details I was told they (visa) were not allowed to disclose specifics because the fraud committed was not against me, the cardholder, but it was against them, the card issuer.
First thing is always call the credit card company. Discuss the charges in question to figure out if you've forgotten some purchase. If not, they shut it down, send you a new card, and it is resolved.