Wife Credit Card ripped off for $2000

[Guest TankerHC]

So wife comes to me with a CC Bill that came in the mail yesterday wanting to know if I spent $2000 last month (Actually it was September 24th). No, for one thing, the odds of me buying something coming at exactly $2000 are pretty slim and I never even bothered activating the new card and the old one expired months ago. I look at the bill and on the back in small bold letters it says "Cash advance". I know she didnt do it, she doesnt even hardly use a credit card and when she does its paid before the next billing cycle so she doesnt pay interest. And she ABSOLUTELY doesnt take cash advances and the day it came out, September 24th, neither of us used this card, as mentioned mine is dead and she doesnt even use hers.

 

So talking to someone at the CC Company, it seems SOMEONE used her card to make a $2000 payment to SOMEONE ELSE. We NEVER pay a bill or anyone with a Credit Card.

 

So I am wondering how that could have happened. The only way I can think it could have happened is through RFID skimming while it was in her pocket book.  I dont use it online, I use my own or a debit card, she doesnt use it online, even if she did I use the Kaspersky money protection. She doesnt use it in teller machines.

 

So the only way I think she may have had it stolen was through skimming or a store clerk except it shows no purchases in September. So I am leaning towards skimming. She will get credited as soon as the office reopens tomorrow, but its interesting because we werent out of Dayton that week except for one day she was at the Hospital with her mother in Chattanooga.

 

I will be interested to see where this charge went to and what time. Any of you Data guys know if there is a way to back track GPS data in a Droid? If so it could tell me where we were approximately when the charge happened.

Edited November 4, 2013 by TankerHC

[Guest TresOsos]

Well if they(the CC Co.) or you haven't already, cancel that card and get a new one with a new account numer issued.

 

I stopped for gas outside of Ka noxville  once and on the way home I get a call from my cc card company.

Was I trying to charge a 4K vacation from a location in the Chec Republic.

Me: Well no I wasn't

CCC: Well we are cancelling your card and will send you a new one.

Me: Great

CCC: what was the last place you used your card.

Me: XXXX it's a valid charge.

CCC: you probably got skimmed at the pump avoid buy there in the future.

 

To this day I will not buy gas there.

Edited November 4, 2013 by TresOsos

[Guest TankerHC]

Well if they(the CC Co.) or you haven't already, cancel that card and get a new one with a new account numer issued.

 

I stopped for gas outside of Ka noxville  once and on the way home I get a call from my cc card company.

Was I trying to charge a 4K vacation from a location in the Chec Republic.

Me: Well no I wasn't

CCC: Well we are cancelling your card and will send you a new one.

Me: Great

CCC: what was the last place you used your card.

Me: XXXX it's a valid charge.

CCC: you probably got skimmed at the pump avoid buy there in the future.

 

To this day I will not buy gas there.

 

 

Yea, that was the first thing they did, I dont even think they gave an option. New cards being issued. The people she needs to, to get credited, were already out of the office, they close at 5. I would just be interested to know where we where when she was skimmed.

[TripleDigitRide]

There's no telling, and the credit card company won't really care. While my cards were activated, I've had someone use my card information on two separate occasions.

 

The first time, someone used my card information to pay for nearly $1000 in multiple Verizon cell phone bills, and attempted to buy $3000 in Dell computer products. I didn't find out about it until I received a letter from Dell to inform me that I was denied credit, or something of that nature. I never applied for credit through Dell, so I knew something was up.

 

The second time, years later, someone purchased several hundred dollars in Sonic gift cards in California. Then, 20 minutes later, attempted to rent a luxury hotel room in New York. The bank caught this fairly quickly.

 

Both times, the bank immediately credited my account for the stolen funds. When I asked if they were going to go after the thieves, they said no. it's not shocking that pulling these types of scams have become a full-time job for so many low life scumbags. Easy money, and almost no fear of being caught.

[Oh Shoot]

Just shows what a profit margin they have to absorb all the fraud.

 

I got my first credit card in '92 and it's the one I've used predominately through the years, (Universal Master Card with kickback), never a bit of trouble until about 2 years ago, got a call, "did you buy a plane ticket from Chicago to Beirut?". Nope, and looked on line and there were besides that a couple of online purchases, dinky ones like $20 or less and that plane ticket. 

 

No idea. Hadn't used it for any online stuff for a month or more except for vendors I'd used before, and only actual swipes in a month had been at Kroger. Canceled and over-nighted me new card, even though I said regular mail would be fine, they insisted.

 

About two weeks ago, used it for a $400 Sam's shop, they called me to verify. Dunno why on that particular one, since I've used it for more than that there and other places who knows how many times since the scam.

 

What I don't understand is how this works. I mean, you have to also have the corresponding billing address to use them online. (the plan ticket was bought online). Is your address imbedded in the data that the various electronic sniffers and swiper inserts get too? 'Cause an actual swipe at point of sale doesn't reveal that, does it?

 

- OS

Edited November 4, 2013 by Oh Shoot

[Guest TankerHC]

The billing address is embedded on a token in the data stripe.

[Handsome Rob]

I don't & won't have a credit card, but I've been nailed on both my debit cards, twice.

 

Both times right after a trip up to Wyoming involving stops at 'foreignly run' motels. First time was to the tune of $32,000+ on my personal card, this past time was for $124,000 on the joint account card. I pay for card protection & I was notified of the charges within 24hrs of them occurring on the accounts. Nothing was actually removed from my accounts this time, but in 2010 I had to send an EMail to every single company that had been purchased from, requesting a refund before the bank would re-credit my account. Oddly, they were all in Spain & they were all companies selling....umm....'enhancement devices' for men.

I still can't figure out how this happens as I have a $1000 limit on each card.

That took some 'splaining to The Wife! My recent trip to Florida was funded with pre-paid debit cards. If I'm staying at motels in the future, this is all I'll use.

Edited November 4, 2013 by robtattoo

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I only use the debit card places like the grocery or best buy-- Straight ahead local transactions with "big companies". I never use debit to order online or buy gas or hotel rooms. Maybe the debit card is as safe as a credit card in fraud protection, but if a thief is gonna steal, I'd rather them steal the bank's money rather than mine. :)

[Oh Shoot]

I only use the debit card places like the grocery or best buy-- Straight ahead local transactions with "big companies". I never use debit to order online or buy gas or hotel rooms. Maybe the debit card is as safe as a credit card in fraud protection, but if a thief is gonna steal, I'd rather them steal the bank's money rather than mine. :)

 

Amen. Everything I've ever read indicates that credit cards are much less of a risk and hassle after getting hit than some debit card accounts can be. As Robo just mentioned, look at what he had to do even though he had "account protection" he paid extra for.

 

Credit cards are great, as long as you don't use them for loans. Matter of fact, they'll give you free money back. Really, money in your pocket you'd never have otherwise, just for buying what you would anyway!

 

- OS

[Guest tdoccrossvilletn]

So wife comes to me with a CC Bill that came in the mail yesterday wanting to know if I spent $2000 last month (Actually it was September 24th). No, for one thing, the odds of me buying something coming at exactly $2000 are pretty slim and I never even bothered activating the new card and the old one expired months ago. I look at the bill and on the back in small bold letters it says "Cash advance". I know she didnt do it, she doesnt even hardly use a credit card and when she does its paid before the next billing cycle so she doesnt pay interest. And she ABSOLUTELY doesnt take cash advances and the day it came out, September 24th, neither of us used this card, as mentioned mine is dead and she doesnt even use hers.

So talking to someone at the CC Company, it seems SOMEONE used her card to make a $2000 payment to SOMEONE ELSE. We NEVER pay a bill or anyone with a Credit Card.

So I am wondering how that could have happened. The only way I can think it could have happened is through RFID skimming while it was in her pocket book. I dont use it online, I use my own or a debit card, she doesnt use it online, even if she did I use the Kaspersky money protection. She doesnt use it in teller machines.

So the only way I think she may have had it stolen was through skimming or a store clerk except it shows no purchases in September. So I am leaning towards skimming. She will get credited as soon as the office reopens tomorrow, but its interesting because we werent out of Dayton that week except for one day she was at the Hospital with her mother in Chattanooga.

I will be interested to see where this charge went to and what time. Any of you Data guys know if there is a way to back track GPS data in a Droid? If so it could tell me where we were approximately when the charge happened.

I've heard people at the Crossville Walmart purchasing gas and having their card number stolen. Apparently there was a skimmer machine installed on the gas pumps. Y'all didn't use it for gas or anything?

Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Something else I have noticed before I was hit was small test purchases. Most times it is a $1 donation or a ITunes purchase for $1.

 

I have had my identity stolen as well. Someone ordered a bunch of tools from Sears to be delivered to an address in Waco, TX. They said they had a ship to address, a name as well as a contact telephone number for the person receiving the shipment. They had the delivery date and tracking info as well. Problem was they would not release the information to me. They said it was for privacy reasons they could not release their information to me. They knew and acknowledged that the order was a case of identity theft but still refused to give me any information.

They did say that they would release the information to LE. So my wife called a the local LE and signed a warrant, giving them Sears information to get a name. Problem was that LE would not call Sears and get the person's information. I had a good LE buddy in Waco that said he could wait for the delivery but because of the local LE and Sears he had his hands tied.

And on top of this the bank accused my wife of ordering the stuff then filing a false report to avoid paying for it. Me and the bank manager had a heart to heart on that call I made from Afghanistan.

I would have paid airfare to have the scum put in jail locally. Being released from here with no friends or family around would have given him some of the pain I felt.
 

[Guest Keal G Seo]

Matter of fact, they'll give you free money back. Really, money in your pocket you'd never have otherwise, just for buying what you would anyway!

 

- OS

Not sure if that is sarcasm but if not and you are speaking of "XX% Cash Back", nah. All cash back is is basically lower interest. You are still paying the CCc. Example, you spend 100 a month, your interest is 10% and cash back is 2%. You had to pay them 10 and they gave you 2 back. Unless you can get a higher cash back than your interest rate you always lose.

As Rob said though, for travel protection you cant prepaid debit cards. One time fees of 5-10 bucks (for the first month of service) and not only do you get normal fraud protection but there is only a small amount they can snag.

If you get a decent CC early in life though you can't be age it can add to your credit history since you never have to close it.

[Guest TankerHC]

Not sure if that is sarcasm but if not and you are speaking of "XX% Cash Back", nah. All cash back is is basically lower interest. You are still paying the CCc. Example, you spend 100 a month, your interest is 10% and cash back is 2%. You had to pay them 10 and they gave you 2 back. Unless you can get a higher cash back than your interest rate you always lose.

As Rob said though, for travel protection you cant prepaid debit cards. One time fees of 5-10 bucks (for the first month of service) and not only do you get normal fraud protection but there is only a small amount they can snag.

If you get a decent CC early in life though you can't be age it can add to your credit history since you never have to close it.

 

Keal, not true. The card that I mentioned was hijacked or whatever. Every six months my wife gets back CASH. And pays ZERO interest. You pay OFF the card prior to the billing cycle rolls over and there is no interest. You pay what you spent. And you still get the cash back points. She has had that card for probably 15 or 20 years, and has got plenty of money back.

[DaveTN]

Not sure if that is sarcasm but if not and you are speaking of "XX% Cash Back", nah. All cash back is is basically lower interest. You are still paying the CCc. Example, you spend 100 a month, your interest is 10% and cash back is 2%. You had to pay them 10 and they gave you 2 back. Unless you can get a higher cash back than your interest rate you always lose.

As Rob said though, for travel protection you cant prepaid debit cards. One time fees of 5-10 bucks (for the first month of service) and not only do you get normal fraud protection but there is only a small amount they can snag.

If you get a decent CC early in life though you can't be age it can add to your credit history since you never have to close it.

You don’t pay interest when you pay them off every month.
No way would I use a debit card, the security risks are too high. I want my plastic and my bank account separate.

[peejman]

I only use the debit card places like the grocery or best buy-- Straight ahead local transactions with "big companies". I never use debit to order online or buy gas or hotel rooms. Maybe the debit card is as safe as a credit card in fraud protection, but if a thief is gonna steal, I'd rather them steal the bank's money rather than mine. :)

 

 

The only place I use my debit card is at the ATM.  I don't ever buy anything with it.  The only thing I buy stuff with is a credit card.  At least with that you get a bill before the money's already gone. 

[Guest Keal G Seo]

You pay OFF the card prior to the billing cycle rolls over and there is no interest.

 

 

You don’t pay interest when you pay them off every month.

The only problem with paying it off every month is that you don't get the credit boost you should. Ideally you should keep 15-20% of the credit limit charged on the card. Been busting my arse on building my credit back up for about 8 years now and this is repeated over and over everywhere.

[GuitaRx]

I got a letter from Harbor Freight saturday that their computers had been hacked, and information had been compromised.. they warned me to watch my account for fraudulent charges and report them immediately to the bank and cc company if any occurred.. :shrug:

[Guest TankerHC]

The old wives tale about maintaining a balance is just that. We have never maintained a balance and both our fico scores are over 800. I check my reports at least once a month., dispute even the smallest discrepancy. The fact is there are lots of different things that help keep your fico score up and not maintaining a balance, having too many cards (open lines of credit) are two of them. Fact is pay off any cards every month. Treat them like cash and base the spending on normal spending and when you reach your spending real cash limit then stop. Credit Reports say nothing about balances long term and the people who look at them are looking at 2 main things. Crédit open to income ratio and three words that every report should have next to accounts. "Paid as agreed"

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 2

[gun sane]

We have two credit cards and pay the balance each month.  Our credit rating is above average and have never been turned down for a loan on a car or mortgage.  I think the bank or finance company looks at a lot more than revolving credit on a card to see if you're a good risk.

[peejman]

The only problem with paying it off every month is that you don't get the credit boost you should. Ideally you should keep 15-20% of the credit limit charged on the card. Been busting my arse on building my credit back up for about 8 years now and this is repeated over and over everywhere.

 

 

A common misconception.  Stop wasting money on interest charges and just pay the bill.  As tanker said, a loan officer will look more closely at your income to potential debt ratio than anything else.  Don't get a card with a huge limit.  If you've got a card with a $30k limit (or 3 $10k cards), that means you could rack up that much debt without the loan officer knowing about it. 

[Guest RebelCowboySnB]

About that time skimmers were on the pumps at two gas stations just off the Kemble Tn exit, just out side Chattanooga. Got about 50 people. Who knows where else around Chattanooga that group set up.

[GlockSpock]

Keal, not true. The card that I mentioned was hijacked or whatever. Every six months my wife gets back CASH. And pays ZERO interest. You pay OFF the card prior to the billing cycle rolls over and there is no interest. You pay what you spent. And you still get the cash back points. She has had that card for probably 15 or 20 years, and has got plenty of money back.

 

Exactly this. If what I'm buying accepts my Discover card, I use it. I'd use it for rent if possible. I have not paid a single penny in interest since I received the card roughly two years ago. I have, however, received hundreds in cashback benefits. With Discover, you can have it credited to your account as a payment, deposited as cash into your checking account, or you can use it instantly as Amazon credit to purchase things if your Discover card is on your Amazon account. There are also many options available for redeeming for giftcards, but most of the places you can redeem them for are places that generally markup their products, so I just use it as a credit to my balance. It works the same as a cash payout. In my budgeting program I record it as income in the form of  "Discover Cashback". For example, if I apply a $50 credit to my Discover balance from the cashback I've earned, I record that as $50 income. My overall income for the month just raised $50 so I have $50 to spend elsewhere. If possible, I use my Discover card to make that purchase so I get cashback while spending cashback in reality.

 

Discover cashback generally varies from 1% to 10%-25% (at certain retailers at certain times of the year), and have a 5% revolving cashback category every yearly quarter. This quarter, it's 5% on online purchases! I've already made the $1500 online purchases, and thus maxed out that "category" to $75 cashback. Or I could have used my debit card and received $0. Still get 1% on everything put on my Discover. 

 

Signup here and get a $50 credit to your account for signing up:

 

http://bit.ly/15WRIIL

 

By the way, for 2014:

 

5% Cashback on: Jan-Mar (Restaurants & Movies) Unsure what they are for the rest of the 2014 year.

Edited November 4, 2013 by CZ9MM

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Credit reports are weird. I score A or better on all three services, but the "advice how to improve score" section when I check a three agency rating thru transunion, one bullet says "not enough credit accounts" and then another bullet says "too high static balances on credit" even though I pay em off monthly. I keep three cards but don't use em much. How many debts do they want a good credit risk to have, fer heaven's sake?

 

Think I figured out the high static balance thang-- I'm not spending as much lately, but when I was able to work more, was running around $500 to $1500 per month business expenses monthly on the cards. Even paid-off every month, I think the credit agencies data collection is so brain-dead that it can't tell the difference between a $1500 long-term float on a card, and a $1500 paid off monthly on a card! If I'm guessing right, they can't tell the diff between one guy with basically no debt, and another guy on the edge struggling just to maintain his minimum payments!

 

Another thing, for some weird reason, the credit agencies are convinced that one of the visa cards is a revolving account rather than a credit card.

[greenego]

I have had my card ripped off a couple of times. I have no idea how they got my number. Never has a cash transaction. Each time the credit card security folks would call my home number and report unusual charges, From what they told me they form a profil of the card card holder. if anything gets too far away from that profil they contact the card holder. I never had to pay for any of the charge. 

[enfield]

Mine was ripped at a gas station in Canada. Attendant got it. Need to carry more cash on next trip.