Final Straw With Disney Trip!

[tl_swift]

If it was stolen by a corrupt Disney employee, they're genius in their ability to memorize a 12 digit credit card number, PLUS the 3 digit security code on the back, in only a couple of seconds that it was in their possession.

::

Just some food for thought- one very popular way of a thief getting your card number is to do a rub of it while they have it in their possession. This only takes a few seconds, a piece of paper and a pencil. Quickly jot down the security code and your set. It doesn't take a genius.

 

[Disfan3]

OP I am sorry about your troubles...

that really stinks....

 

[jrogalny]

I just want to toss my hat into the ring on this one. Now, not in Disney, but driving to my folks' house in Leesburg, FL, we stopped at a Wal-Mart gas station somewhere around Clermont, FL. I used my debit card to put gas in the car. A few days later I went to use my card at a restaurant only to find that my account had been frozen. Once I got back to Illinois and filed a police report, it turns out that my card number had been copied and someone made a duplicate card charging well over $3,000 all in California. The police told me that anytime you swipe your card at a gas station or an ATM criminals can put some sort of copy device on that machine that is clearly out of the eye of the general public. I'm sorry to hear about the robbery and identity theft. I learned a valuable lesson on our future trips. I only use a credit card (so my checking account isn't emptied). I bring cash and lock it in the safety box and I also use traveler's checks because those are insured. You can never be too safe nowadays.

 

[sharonW]

Wow, I'm sorry about the theft issues at the happiest place
on earth. Many years ago we had money and a camera
stolen from us. We stored our luggage at the hotel because
we had to check out of our room but still had time to play
the parks. They told us they were not responsible for any
loses. So BEWARE...I would never put anything in storage
again, EVER!!! This was at the GF!!!

 

[DianeV]

I just think its very sad that some are so loyal to Disney that they cannot accept or admit that bad things can happen there

Those blinders sure block out alot of things you really should be aware of

 

[makewifehappy]

I must agree with Brit17. Charging to your room is the best way possible, since it is so easy to get a statement from guest services. You can check it every day, and not have many issues, other than your family spending too much money. (Ain't a bad thing, either) Bring enough cash or travelers checks and place into your safe every day.

As far as items in your room, it might be a good idea to place inside your locked car. I know that someone could still break in to your car, but with as many car alarms out there, hiding it in your car could be the way to go.

I carry a company-provided laptop wherever I go. Locking up in the trunk or out of sight somewhere in the front of the car is something I do every time. Remember, those who break into cars are looking for something, and if they don't see everything, they go to the next car.

It becomes common sense now-a-days, folks. A long time ago, sleeping with the front door unlocked was OK to do. Now, leaving your car unlocked is considered dangerous.

 

[Heth6207]

An update, I got a call from my BOA credit card tonight, and there were attempted charges (luckily they got turned down) on 2 of my cards at Best Buy for $2145.00. IN FLORIDA. This thing keeps looming again and again on us.

The same store where my moms was charged at.

 

[Brit17]

An update, I got a call from my BOA credit card tonight, and there were attempted charges (luckily they got turned down) on 2 of my cards at Best Buy for $2145.00. IN FLORIDA. This thing keeps looming again and again on us.

The same store where my moms was charged at.

Were the new attempted charges made to the same cc as before, or were they different cc's of yours?

 

[Heth6207]

Different ones I had with me inside disney. My CC confirmed it was an in-person collection of information, not obtained online.

 

[Heth6207]

My wallet had gotten left in the car the night before (on accident), when the car was broken into and the cop told me at the time when I located it in the car, to make sure I didnt have charges on it later, because they could have copied and left my cards (no cash was in it) in my wallet to make it look like it wasn't stolen.

My theory (just a random theory here, not saying this IS what happened, just a susp.)

My mom's ONE card that she used in SSR was the only one of hers that was "copied"/stolen, mine that were in the car were the ones used and hers that was stolen was never left in there. I believe the two incidents (car broken into and her card stolen after being used in SSR gift shop) are connected.

 

[islandmum]

I just think its very sad that some are so loyal to Disney that they cannot accept or admit that bad things can happen there

Those blinders sure block out alot of things you really should be aware of

too true!

and for all of those who say "Disney is not to blame" I wonder what their response would be if they suffered the same trick at a WalMart store or equivalent?? I'm willing to bet they'd be blaming the store for that one!

Disney is a great place - for fun, for families ..... and for thieves sometimes too.

 

[jrogalny]

Have you filed a police report? If not, do so with your local police department. They probably won't do too much of an investigation (when my identity was stolen, they said to get the FBI involved tens of thousands of dollars would have to be stolen) but at least you will have it documented. My debit card accounth as been stolen twice over the span of five years (both account numbers were changed after each theft too). It's a shame it happens but every time it does, I file a police report.

 

[Heth6207]

Not for my cards. My mom's, yes. But I just found out about mine tonight. Calling first thing in the AM.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I feel so sorry for you. My aunt had her identity stolen. And believe it or not, one of the main stores that were charged was Best Buy!!! They must be easy to scam! In my aunt's case someone went in the pretending to be her and convinced them to raise her limit even though there were explicit instructions on the account to never raise it over $1500 (a computer had been purchased). Well, someone got it raised to $5000!!!! They charged all new appliances and such. They even admitted to her that it took the person a while to get it raised, but the manager finally approved it. She also had problems at Lowe's and a few other places (the person also got 4 cell phones in her name). It does happen, and she has never bought anything online either. I hope you get things taken care of, and hopefully they have some video of it!

 

[alizesmom]

This is such a sad thread, not because this happened at Disney but because it happened at all. I guess if a thief is determined then it will be difficult to stop him. I don't have an answer. I'll still take my card with me. I'll try to be careful but I will not let the bad elements of this world win. Karen

 

[DebIreland]

Oh no! I'm so sorry this happened to you I would be devastated if it happened to me. What a horrible thing to happen and in Disney World of all places. Of course you're angry and upset. I absolutely cannot understand why people are being rude and sarcastic to you about this. I'm sure if it happened to them they'd appreciate a little bit of understanding and support. I don't get this 'defend Disney at all costs' attitude.

 

[bavaria]

Many of us pointed out originally that theft and crime can happen anywhere. The OP left about $5,000 of valuables in her car; the car was apparently broken into and the items taken.

Yes, that is unfortunate. I don't recall anyone actually defending WDW, but simply pointing out that theft and crime can and do happen anywhere, whether it be at a Motel 6 or a Four Seasons Hotel. There is no way that an employer can screen for everything, nor is there any way for a car to be protected from break ins 100% of the time. Deterrents such as cameras or anti theft devices do help, but do not prevent all crime.

While we do empathize with the OP, we can also point out ways to prevent these things from occuring in future.

That includes: not leaving valuables in the vehicle; not leaving valuables unlocked in the room (use the in room safe and/or a cable lock); not allowing a credit card to be taken out of your sight.

I don't look at posters' post count before responding; something triggered each of us to post for the first time, and in this case it was the unfortunate incident which occured.

Again, these two threads make it very clear that everyone must remember that WDW is not a magic bubble, and that they must be on their guard just as they would be at home.

I am sorry that the OP went through this experience, but I stand by my original assertation that this could (and can) happen anywhere.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is such a sad thread, not because this happened at Disney but because it happened at all. I guess if a thief is determined then it will be difficult to stop him.

One thief, absolutely. I do think it's very odd - or extremely coincidental - that two different credit card numbers belonging to different members of a single party that were apparently obtained at different times by different means (one in a Disney gift shop while the poster remained at the register; the other during a break-in/theft from an automobile not connected at all with the store incident) happened to subsequently be used at exactly the same brick & mortar location at different times - and seemingly by different people.

My theory (just a random theory here, not saying this IS what happened, just a susp.)

My mom's ONE card that she used in SSR was the only one of hers that was "copied"/stolen, mine that were in the car were the ones used and hers that was stolen was never left in there. I believe the two incidents (car broken into and her card stolen after being used in SSR gift shop) are connected.

Realistically, how could the two incidents be connected? Wouldn't that pretty much have to mean that someone was watching/targeting your family? How would a Disney gift shop CM know (a) which car belonged to which Guest; (b) which car(s) contained items of value; (c) which of those vehicles did not have alarms; and (d) that a specific Guest who met all the above criteria would be in the gift shop during her/his shift the following day AND attempting to pay for items with a credit card issued in somebody else's name.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Actually Disney does background checks during the hiring process. I don't know how long they have been doing this. But it has been years, not just started recently. They fingerprint their CMs too.
Disney doesn't give drug tests that I am aware. And could be some specific roles require it. But I am unaware of that.
Identity theft is very common these days.
And Car thefts are VERY high in the Orlando area. (As are armed robbery in stores and banks.) About a year ago numerous cars were broken into in one night near Universal. Not long ago cops were in a day time shoot out due to theives breaking into cars at a hotel near WDW. It can happen anywhere.
DH was a victim of identity theft not long ago. And I know someone who suspects someone in her (now ex) bank defrauded her DH. (Someone in Canada had a card identical to her DH's, and even knew his PIN!)
As someone mentioned there are some sort of copying devices theives use in gas station and ATM machines that copy everything they need.
And how often in restaurant does your card disappear, and for how long?
It is amazing we are not victimized more often. And sadly it will only get worse and not better.

I hope everything settles down for the OP.

 

[Luv2Roam]

Oh, and quite often CMs do park near guests vehicles. MK has the cast parking mostly behind and away.
That being said, it still could be anyone who breaks into a car. Experienced theives can be in and out of a car in a few minutes.
DH witnessed this at a mall one time. He could not have found anyone fast enough, nor could anyone have arrived to stop them.