Debit card fraud

[Cavy]

I had about $300 stolen from me a couple of months ago. My bank caught it within minutes. It seems that whoever stole my information tried to hit over 25 online stores in about ten minutes, which thankfully flagged the account--they only got three stores. They probably could have gotten away with more if not for the volume, but I'm glad they did what they did--not that I haven't dreamed about shopping sprees like that!

Best guess: a gas station. Now I only purchase gas with cash.

 

[Robbi]

Several years ago, our son went to WDW and couldn't use his debit card. Turned out he had used it at a gas station in a town near ours. Someone there had taken his number when he went in to purchase a couple of items. I called the company owner, the debit card company etc. and was able to fix it. The bank said to always get a receipt at the pump.
Another time, i was looking over our bank account online. I do this everyday. I noticed a $600 charge that i didn't recognize. Someone had hacked my Paypal account and the charge was made at a skateboard company in California. We live in south Louisiana. The money was refunded after I filed a Paypal dispute. I still check my account almost daily and recommend everyone do this too.

 

[snarlingcoyote]

You can check your bank's policies and find out whether or not to use your debit card - your bank makes that agreement, so it varies from issuer to issuer.

For example, my bank in MA was horrible. They would put holds on my card and not call me when I travelled to let me know because the bank was closed. When I would call THEM to get the mess fixed, they would be closed. Seriously. You had to call M-F from 9 to 5. (Of course, they would say any policy I didn't like was due to "SOX Compliance." Uhm, I work in SOX Compliance. No. You're either mis-informed or you're lying. Say the truth - it just makes things easier for your BSA Compliance, although it's not legally required. . .)

My bank in Louisiana is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. Have problem, they fix it, send you a new card straight away or let you go into any branch and get a new one.

Of course, same is true of CC issuers. BOA is miserable to work with. Chase is a dream.