Credit Fraud

[Waboman]

I took my family to the state fair today. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous weather and we were all having a relaxed and leisurely time seeing the sights and eating those wonderful culinary creations one can only find at fairs. A couple hours go by and my phone rings with an unknown number. Hmm, I thought. Normally I wouldn't have answered, but decided to today. Boy am I glad I did. It was Delta airlines wondering if I just purchased a ticket from Houston to Chicago. I told her I absolutely did NOT purchase any ticket. Apparently, it triggered their fraud sensors. She said Delta will credit my card and recommended I call Visa. Whew, there goes all the aforementioned fun. My wife took the boys and I started making calls...

These same scumbags charged almost $4k with United Airlines in 2 days. I cancelled that card, and they're gonna send me an affidavit which I have to sign and they'll credit the fraudulent charges. I then called my bank to make sure my checking and savings account, as well as my check card haven't been breeched. I ended up purchasing their credit protection plan for $12.99 a month.

I can only conclude that these bastards got my info off the internet. But How? Every site I do business with is supposed to be a secure sight. I guess I don't know enough about how these hacker a**holes work. I just wonder what other personal and sensitive info of mine they got?

Any other advice?

I'd like to send Moose & Rocco to teach these slimeballs some manners.

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by Waboman

I took my family to the state fair today. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous weather and we were all having a relaxed and leisurely time seeing the sights and eating those wonderful culinary creations one can only find at fairs. A couple hours go by and my phone rings with an unknown number. Hmm, I thought. Normally I wouldn't have answered, but decided to today. Boy am I glad I did. It was Delta airlines wondering if I just purchased a ticket from Houston to Chicago. I told her I absolutely did NOT purchase any ticket. Apparently, it triggered their fraud sensors. She said Delta will credit my card and recommended I call Visa. Whew, there goes all the aforementioned fun. My wife took the boys and I started making calls...

These same scumbags charged almost $4k with United Airlines in 2 days. I cancelled that card, and they're gonna send me an affidavit which I have to sign and they'll credit the fraudulent charges. I then called my bank to make sure my checking and savings account, as well as my check card haven't been breeched. I ended up purchasing their credit protection plan for $12.99 a month.

I can only conclude that these bastards got my info off the internet. But How? Every site I do business with is supposed to be a secure sight. I guess I don't know enough about how these hacker a**holes work. I just wonder what other personal and sensitive info of mine they got?

Any other advice?

I'd like to send Moose & Rocco to teach these slimeballs some manners.

Glad you caught it.

Information is available everywhere from the internet to unscrupulous employees of credit card companies to the waiter swiping your card twice at the local restuarant and giving the details to his mate!

It is unfortuanately unavoidable. Thes best thing to do is keep fewer cards and meticulously check your statements each month and don't autopay anything!

[gregswaim]

Originally Posted by Waboman

I took my family to the state fair today. It was a beautiful day, gorgeous weather and we were all having a relaxed and leisurely time seeing the sights and eating those wonderful culinary creations one can only find at fairs. A couple hours go by and my phone rings with an unknown number. Hmm, I thought. Normally I wouldn't have answered, but decided to today. Boy am I glad I did. It was Delta airlines wondering if I just purchased a ticket from Houston to Chicago. I told her I absolutely did NOT purchase any ticket. Apparently, it triggered their fraud sensors. She said Delta will credit my card and recommended I call Visa. Whew, there goes all the aforementioned fun. My wife took the boys and I started making calls...

These same scumbags charged almost $4k with United Airlines in 2 days. I cancelled that card, and they're gonna send me an affidavit which I have to sign and they'll credit the fraudulent charges. I then called my bank to make sure my checking and savings account, as well as my check card haven't been breeched. I ended up purchasing their credit protection plan for $12.99 a month.

I can only conclude that these bastards got my info off the internet. But How? Every site I do business with is supposed to be a secure sight. I guess I don't know enough about how these hacker a**holes work. I just wonder what other personal and sensitive info of mine they got?

Any other advice?

I'd like to send Moose & Rocco to teach these slimeballs some manners.

You can call the "Big 3 Credit Bureaus" and have a fraud alert placed on your SSN which will be active for 3 months. You can renew as often as you like.
Do a Google search for the 1-800 #.

[PHC1]

Credit card fraud is not uncommon, what the real threat is, is identity theft!

I strongly suggest Equifax where you can track your credit history and score and even "lock" your file so it will be very difficult for others to access it. They also offer identity theft insurance. Equifax: Personal Solutions: Credit Reports, Credit Scores, Protection Against Identity Theft

[Waboman]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I wonder how Equifax, Lifelock and the others differ? To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what the one I signed up for offers. I know it covers all accounts associated with my SSN. Keep in mind, this all took place at a crowded state fair. Not the best environment to researching credit protection. What a major PITA!

[Still-One]

You are correct about watching your accounts. I download all my info at least every other day so I know if a charge or debit is correct or not. Over the years Visa security has called several times asking whether a charge is legit or not. So far they all have been.

[dpgstereo]

Anyone had an issue with identity fraud after purchasing from ebay?

Over around a 12 month period, I purchased three different ebay advertised items from different sellers, all had excellent ratings. Every time, two weeks to a month later, fraud charges would show up on my statement and/or I received a call from the fraud dept. from the credit card used for purchase. Always used Paypal and I change password frequently. Each time I asked the credit card fraud dept. representative their experience with Paypal issues. I was told each time that it was a secure way to purchase.

So far, all fraud charges have been credited.

Anyone else had a issue with fraud using Paypal?

Ivan, your in the business. How secure do you think Paypal is?




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[Masterlu]

I do an enormous amount of Internet commerce & also Paypal. I have had very few issues over an 8 year period.

[MC352]

I am in the credit card business and I see a lot of crazy stuff. Where I work we have a commercial card product with Visa. The amount and types of fraud would amaze you.

I also once about a year ago had one of my cards call me up and ask if I was buying items in London. The scum bought about 3K worth of stuff over there. I got a new card, and I watch my credit bureau reports.

[Waboman]

I used my check card to purchase 4 tickets, over the phone, to an upcoming show in Nov. I was half hoping my card didn't go thru and my newly activated credit protection kicked in. The transaction however, went thru without a hitch. Could be several factors I guess. The biggie is having the tickets shipped to the mailing address which is the same as the billing address.

I did manage to enjoy some deep fried goodness before the whole credit fiasco started. Mmm...