Debit card fraud

[tink20]

We tried to use our DC in Orlando, and it wouldn't take it. I thought it was just because we were out of town, but still thought it was odd. We called the bank and they said there was a hold on the card because someone in Arizona (we don't live anywhere near AZ) tried to use it at Dillards on Sat 6/1,sale totaled $200. Thank God, they declined the sale. The bank said they called us Sat night, but we missed the call.

So, when traveling, you need several money options. We do, so we are fine there.

How long do you think it is, before the thief stills your info, and then someone tries to use it. The bank said someone local (where we live) stole the info and sold it to someone in AZ.

I am trying to think were this may have happened, I wonder if there is anyway to find out where the info was stolen.

 

[CaliBear]

I had my debit info stolen once as well. The bank told me the same thing- that people steal this info and then sell it to others. They also said that many times they get this information out of gas station pumps. Somehow they can grab the info from where you swipe your card. I paid cash for gasoline after that.

 

[JRawkSteady]

Sounds like this happened via online purchase. Or possibly when you gave your CC to someone to at a retail outlet. Someone at Blockbuster Video was caught and fired for using a member's card number online. The employee got caught because he/she was getting the packages shipped to Blockbuster...what a criminal mastermind!

Anyway, I'm really sorry about what happened, but I'm glad that you didn't lose any money in the process.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

It can also easily happen at restauraunts. You put your card in the little folio, and he waiter/waitress takes it to process it...you can't see what is going on. I never use my debit card at a restaurant for this reason.

 

[Albort]

Curious, what banks do you all use when this happens?

I had a discover card that had fraud charges once and i had to call to report it... but it was a breeze...

My chase however will alert me via txt and call on all suspicious charges...

A friend of mine with BOA said that she had her card stolen once and it was a nightmare...

 

[chiefmickeymouse]

This happened to me at Christmas. Someone got away with buying $1500 of stuff at Macy's in New York. I didn't get a call or anything. I only knew because I checked the on-line statement. I had to file paperwork to get it back. The other time it happened, I just told the bank it wasn't me and they just refunded the money.

 

[NotUrsula]

Account-linked debit cards should only be used for in-person transactions where you keep your hand on the card at all times, except for gas pumps -- NEVER use a debit card at a gas pump!

You should never use them to shop online or to shop while traveling in resort areas -- it is too easy to fall prey to thieves who hack servers or who use skimmer devices. Stick with a credit card -- CC's limit your fraud liability, but debit cards do not.

If for whatever reason you choose not to use a credit card and need to make a purchase directly from your bank account under these circumstances, take the time to buy a gift card and then use that to make the purchase, rather than exposing your bank accounts to possibly being cleaned out.

Also, when you plan to travel out of state, it is always a good idea to call your bank and tell them.

PS: At home, the most common way that thieves get your bank or debit card info is from your garbage. Meth addicts in particular are very good dumpster divers, and the dealers love to trade discounted meth for financial information, which they then sell and make a double profit. SHRED anything and everything with your bank or CC info on it.

If you fall victim to a hacker your account can be emptied in minutes, but most of the time it takes a day or two for a fake charge plate to be created and sold.

 

[GAGirlInVA]

It can also easily happen at restauraunts. You put your card in the little folio, and he waiter/waitress takes it to process it...you can't see what is going on. I never use my debit card at a restaurant for this reason.

That is what happened to us. We don't let our debit card out of our sight anymore. We had no problem getting our $3K reimbursed though. (Our bank was VERY slow in discovering it.)

 

[worm761]

We just went through this last month. DH uses Ledgerist to track spending. Well, we were going to do something or other and he went to balance the Ledgerist with the bank. Saw a weird charge for $14.95. Not much but we didn't initiate it. We googled who they were. It was, of all things, a credit report site. When DH explained we didn't make this charge, they wanted the credit card number to look up the transaction. DH called the bank and explained what happened. They reviewed it, canceled his card, and put the money back after about 3 days. The worst part was not having a debit card for a week.

I will have to keep in mind the whole using a CC to pay for gas. We use our debit cards for everything.

 

[rwdavis2]

Account-linked debit cards should only be used for in-person transactions where you keep your hand on the card at all times, except for gas pumps -- NEVER use a debit card at a gas pump!

Absolutely. My wife and I both had ours stolen in Morgantown,WV last year. Probably at the gas station or the local mall. Within a few days they got used. Luckily Walmart called me to verify a charge for a TV being sent to Florida (I live in MD). I told them it was not me so they cancelled the sale. My wife had hers used online at a German store. Since then we have never used them except for ATM withdrawals. We have since switched to Disney Visa and never had a problem and enjoy the rewards for our trips.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

We no longer use a debit card for anything other than ATM withdrawals after having our checking account cleaned out twice. Once the charge was to a company that was just a front for doing this and once someone used it to make a huge purchase at Saks. Each time It took several days to get the money back each time. Now I use a credit card or cash.

 

[Robinrs]

Account-linked debit cards should only be used for in-person transactions where you keep your hand on the card at all times, except for gas pumps -- NEVER use a debit card at a gas pump!

You should never use them to shop online or to shop while traveling in resort areas -- it is too easy to fall prey to thieves who hack servers or who use skimmer devices. Stick with a credit card -- CC's limit your fraud liability, but debit cards do not.

If for whatever reason you choose not to use a credit card and need to make a purchase directly from your bank account under these circumstances, take the time to buy a gift card and then use that to make the purchase, rather than exposing your bank accounts to possibly being cleaned out.

Also, when you plan to travel out of state, it is always a good idea to call your bank and tell them.

PS: At home, the most common way that thieves get your bank or debit card info is from your garbage. Meth addicts in particular are very good dumpster divers, and the dealers love to trade discounted meth for financial information, which they then sell and make a double profit. SHRED anything and everything with your bank or CC info on it.

If you fall victim to a hacker your account can be emptied in minutes, but most of the time it takes a day or two for a fake charge plate to be created and sold.

Bank of America told me that in Asia they have machines reproduce debit and credit card numbers until one hits. You could NEVER use yours and it can happen.

I had mine used 4 different times. BoA caught them every time. They work while America is asleep mostly, overnight you might find a small charge for Itunes or something like that. It's when they're checking on the number. After it goes thru for sometimes less than a dollar (they know most people do not notice this) the next one is a big one. BoA is very aware of this scam and has just about caught everytime it tries to go thru. Not once was I held responsible for them, even on my debit card.

 

[Procrastinate]

The card does not have to leave your hand to have your number stolen. We just had a major problem at a grocery chain where hackers managed to steal the numbers of 2.4 million cards. They sell the numbers to thieves that reprogram the magnetic strip on old, inactive cards.

 

[Janepod]

We no longer use a debit card for anything other than ATM withdrawals after having our checking account cleaned out twice. Once the charge was to a company that was just a front for doing this and once someone used it to make a huge purchase at Saks. Each time It took several days to get the money back each time. Now I use a credit card or cash.

This happened to me, too -- that they went to Saks! Classy thieves.

Have to give tons of credit to Citibank; they put the money back in my account the same day and froze my credit reports. And like others have mentioned, I never used by debit card for online shopping, gas stations, or anywhere that it was out of my sight. The thief did have a hard copy of the card so presumably they used one of those machines another poster mentioned. Easy to buy from eBay too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/70-Characte...790?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5656ed58c6

 

[NotUrsula]

Saks is popular because they have a large selection of designer merchandise that can readily be resold on the black market -- you didn't really think these folks were shopping for their own use, did you?

 

[Janepod]

Saks is popular because they have a large selection of designer merchandise that can readily be resold on the black market -- you didn't really think these folks were shopping for their own use, did you?

I bet you're right! Though the black market never occurred to me before. I just figured, where would I go if I had free money? Saks of course!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Happened to me and they charged over $500.

When I spoke to the woman at the bank, she said it was pointless to even speculate because there are so many ways someone can steal your credit/debit card numbers.

It was an easy fix, just had to go to the bank and fill out a couple of forms and I'm thinking it was back in my account within 24 hours.

 

[Dsnyfireman]

We use td bank and have had our DC used many times that wasn't us. Once they got my number the day after getting a new card, I hadn't even used it! After several talks with the bank and several times having my numbers stolen I mentioned that someone at the bank may be selling numbers and maybe the FBI needed to look into it, never had my number stolen again! They also refunded all the money, about $5000 total over the years.

 

[Planogirl]

I wonder if there is any protection if you use your debit card as a credit card? I like to shop on-line a bit and it is worrisome.

 

[Tozzie]

Curious, what banks do you all use when this happens?

I had a discover card that had fraud charges once and i had to call to report it... but it was a breeze...

My chase however will alert me via txt and call on all suspicious charges...

A friend of mine with BOA said that she had her card stolen once and it was a nightmare...

Someone got my debit/ATM information from the bank atm machine, they had probably put a skimming device over it and stole the info, I got a call from the bank on a sunday asking me if I took $5000 out of the bank, um no I am still in my PJ's. it took about a week but the bank replaced all the money. BTW the bank where the thieves got he info was my own bank as I don't use my card other than to get money out of the bank.