My credit card wasn't stolen but someone used it!

[DVCBELLE]

To buy $1700 worth of stuff from Apple!!! At first I thought Apple made a mistake and charged me wrong for the Ipod I ordered earlier in the week and then I realized it was a different credit card and my other credit card had been charged.

It was my Disney Visa - I called them and they were awesome - they immediately cancelled all of my cards, took off the charge and are sending out new cards.

I was so glad I caught it so quickly - the charge went through on the 13th and I went on tonight to pay my bill and thought the balance was REALLY high. Had they made the charge tomorrow - it would have taken me a lot longer to catch it!!

 

[akcire]

A couple of years ago we had a similar situation, at the time my husband and I were both using the same credit card account at Bank of America.

So one night my husband comes home, and I am screaming at him like a maniac. Our credit card bill had a charge of nearly $50 at the 7-11 gas station. At that time neither one of our cars could take more than $30 in gas; and my husband had a bad habit in a past life of grocery shopping at the 7-11. Now for some people this may be a good choice, but $20 in food at the 7-11 is not in our budget, more over there is a full service grocery store directly accross the street. My husband calms me down, no easy feat; and tells me he did not make the charge.

I called Bank of America and they were excellent. They could tell that the charge was keyed in and not swiped. The girl went back 6 months and removed all of the keyed in charges at this gas station--since my husband did not use this station nor did I, it's really close to our house but its a hard turn to make. The girl suggested we not use a joint account since I pay the bills, but had no idea that these charges were not legit. We now use two different credit card accounts--so we each can confirm the charges before we pay the bill.

Long story, I call the sherriff's office, give him the 411. Since our house is literally 3 minutes to the 7-11 he rolls over there and tells us he will be back in a few minutes. Well 3 hours later our doorbell rings, it is the deputy. Here is what they figured out. Some of the clerks that worked at the 7-11 had written down about a 100+ credit card numbers of people with in state license plates, they had put the information on a individual 3X5 notecard and put all the notecards on a big silver ring. Each time they had a customer come in and pay with cash, they would flip to the next card, fraudulently run the credit card transaction and pocket the cash. They would then date the notecard of the successful transaction. What happened was one particular employee was bad at dating the notecards..and ours got used "too many" times, thus alerting us, not to mention the amount must have been for an SUV or large truck fill up (gas was cheaper then). The deputy brought us a photo copy of our notecard so we were able to ensure we did not have to pay any of the fake charge dates, the Bank of America rep. had already caught all the dates (but it was nice of the deputy to follow up).

Now for the sucky part....the employees got probation. Myself and about 20 others showed up to meet with the prosecutor about the lost time, some people had familial hardships due to the shortage of funds, one lady had her debit card used and racked up tons of NSF fees until her bank got a copy of the police report and waived them...so these "clerks" caused some real problems for people--not to mention my poor husband's ears. Yet all they got was a plea deal and probation, nice. At the same time I get treated like a violent felon for trying to use a $3.00 internet coupon, sometimes this country makes me want to be a criminal--as if I am the sucker for going to work and paying my bills. Okay crazy rant over.....

 

[jlima]

Yep. The scammer just needs your number. Glad it's all going to work out.

Be aware - if you have a Disney Rewards card, they will send you a new one of those, since they are sending you a new Disney Visa.

 

[Sleepy]

Something similar happened to us. We had just gotten back from a Disney vacation and my son's Visa Buxx card was overdrawn with a charge (Disney) of close to $8. We did not think much of it, since that is about the charge of a combo meal. We never investigated. We just reloaded the card.

A few months later, we get a charge (Disney) on the same card for I think it was around $25. We knew this one was impossible since the card had been locked in a file cabinet for months. Upon investigation, it was found that it was specifically the Disney movie club. Someone had bought a membership and was fulfilling their obligation at my expense.

Our bank was fantastic. Even though it had been several months since the first charge, they refunded that money, plus the overdraft fee it had created. They also stopped payment on the 2nd charge since that one was ordered that day. They cancelled the card and issued new ones. I just wish I could be in the room with the person the next time they go to order more movies with my son's card.

 

[barbeml]

Although neither my DH nor I have ever physically lost one of our cards, we have had 7 card number thefts in 6 years.

The worst incident was when the thief used DH's number to open up a FedEx account to run a scam with checks stolen from Wells Fargo bank. He was FedExing checks all over the country, which we discovered when one package was "returned" to us. Had to go to the police on that one. Thief must have used a scanner that allowed him to read address, work phone, etc.

Most recently, our number was used for a shopping spree in Maryland (haven't been there in a decade). They must have created a clone card, because they were mostly small charges made in person at sticks and bricks stores as opposed to online. They got busy to the tune of $1300 before we got the call from fraud department.

We suspect most of the numbers were stolen at gas stations, a couple at restaurants. I only pay cash for gas now.

 

[StephMK]

Some of the clerks that worked at the 7-11 had written down about a 100+ credit card numbers of people with in state license plates, they had put the information on a individual 3X5 notecard and put all the notecards on a big silver ring. Each time they had a customer come in and pay with cash, they would flip to the next card, fraudulently run the credit card transaction and pocket the cash. They would then date the notecard of the successful transaction. What happened was one particular employee was bad at dating the notecards..and ours got used "too many" times, thus alerting us, not to mention the amount must have been for an SUV or large truck fill up (gas was cheaper then). The deputy brought us a photo copy of our notecard so we were able to ensure we did not have to pay any of the fake charge dates, the Bank of America rep. had already caught all the dates (but it was nice of the deputy to follow up).

Now for the sucky part....the employees got probation. Myself and about 20 others showed up to meet with the prosecutor about the lost time, some people had familial hardships due to the shortage of funds, one lady had her debit card used and racked up tons of NSF fees until her bank got a copy of the police report and waived them...so these "clerks" caused some real problems for people--not to mention my poor husband's ears. Yet all they got was a plea deal and probation, nice. At the same time I get treated like a violent felon for trying to use a $3.00 internet coupon, sometimes this country makes me want to be a criminal--as if I am the sucker for going to work and paying my bills. Okay crazy rant over.....

WOW. I cannot believe as organized as it sounds like they were & the ongoing transactions that they just got probation! Hopefully they at least got fired? Fraud on their record? Scary how sneaky some people can be.

 

[snowgooseltd]

Just imagine how successful these people would be if they put the time and effort they were using fraudulently into a productive job....but where's the fun in that?? Probation??? apparently that's what's wrong with this country....

 

[Melrosgirl]

Someone once used my credit card # to pay OFF their own credit card. Was like $6000 ! Wasn't too hard to track them down I presume (when I reported it). Morons.

 

[elgerber]

This happened to me a couple of months ago with my Disney Visa also. Only Chase caught it, and called me. They said someone was physically running my card through machines in NY. I am in MN and we had all of our cards here. I was glad Chase caught it so quickly, but I am still having a couple of issues with autopay items to my credit card, that I forgot to switch over to the new card, whoops.

 

[angwill]

I have read that you should never use a credit card in a restaurant or anywhere that they physically take your card away from your sight. Also there are machines that theives can put over the gas station card readers to capture your info. I was also told by my bank to use my credit card as little as possible at gas stations and restaurants in Orlando because they are notorious for credit card theft.

 

[prncess674]

I have read that you should never use a credit card in a restaurant or anywhere that they physically take your card away from your sight.

I think that is just being overly cautious. Are you supposed to carry around a wad of $100 bills? Charges are easily reversed if your card is used fraudulantly. I put everything possible on my Starwood Hotels American Express and part of my morning routine when checking emails I click over to AMEX and view my current transactions. Also remember if your wallet is lost or stolen the cash is gone with no recourse. I will take my chances with credit cards verses the possibility of losing cash.

 

[Heidijs]

I don't trust this Disney Visa...seems like once people use it too book their trips...weird charges start popping up. I used mine to book the trip but once I got it in the mail...I never activated it. I'm afraid to. I considered calling it in lost just so I'd get issued a new # so if anyone has my old #, they can't charge it up...I need to activate a couple cards before we go on our trip just in case we lose our main one...which happened on my last trip and it turned into a nightmare since I was going to charge our room on my card and had to use our cash.

 

[DVCBELLE]

The thing is - I probably would not have caught small charges here and there but a big one like that is hard to miss!!

We think that maybeit was stolen from a publication my DH subscribed to the day before. It was the first time we had used the card in 2 weeks!

But then again - we went on a cruise and to Disney in November so it is possible that someone got the card then and just used it now.

 

[Metsfan520]

I think that is just being overly cautious. Are you supposed to carry around a wad of $100 bills? Charges are easily reversed if your card is used fraudulantly. I put everything possible on my Starwood Hotels American Express and part of my morning routine when checking emails I click over to AMEX and view my current transactions. Also remember if your wallet is lost or stolen the cash is gone with no recourse. I will take my chances with credit cards verses the possibility of losing cash.

Excellent points. I agree with you.

 

[Metsfan520]

I don't trust this Disney Visa...seems like once people use it too book their trips...weird charges start popping up. I used mine to book the trip but once I got it in the mail...I never activated it. I'm afraid to. I considered calling it in lost just so I'd get issued a new # so if anyone has my old #, they can't charge it up...I need to activate a couple cards before we go on our trip just in case we lose our main one...which happened on my last trip and it turned into a nightmare since I was going to charge our room on my card and had to use our cash.

I've had my Disney Visa for years, and have never had any fraud issues with it. However, my Bank of America card had to be replaced 2 times because of fraud. (and I closed the account for good the third time fraud happened). My Discover had to be replaced because of fraud. It's the 'luck' of the draw.

 

[KristyBDJ]

This happened to my grandparents not long ago. They noticed someone had purchased an ATV with their credit card. Not a likely purchase for two 80 yr olds with hip and knee replacements! I honestly don't know what came of the person who did it though. On a similar note. It's easier than you think for someone to do this. I had worked in retail for years and at one particular store that shall remain nameless(lg chain though)the receipts that were kept as store records had the full credit card number and the person's signature on them. They would end up in a box with that months records and kept for 6 months. At the end of 6 months they were thrown in the dumpster! The company didn't provide the store with shredders or anything! I had many customers black out their card numbers w/ a sharpie and I did the same to all receipts I was in charge of tossing. I have noticed at a lot of restaurants, the copy they keep is the same way. I keep that one and sign the customer copy one. I haven't a problem yet.

 

[elgerber]

The thing is - I probably would not have caught small charges here and there but a big one like that is hard to miss!!

We think that maybeit was stolen from a publication my DH subscribed to the day before. It was the first time we had used the card in 2 weeks!

But then again - we went on a cruise and to Disney in November so it is possible that someone got the card then and just used it now.

Oddly we were in Disney about a month before our card was used also. But I really don't use the card that much there, since we charge to the room.

 

[angwill]

I think that is just being overly cautious. Are you supposed to carry around a wad of $100 bills? Charges are easily reversed if your card is used fraudulantly. I put everything possible on my Starwood Hotels American Express and part of my morning routine when checking emails I click over to AMEX and view my current transactions. Also remember if your wallet is lost or stolen the cash is gone with no recourse. I will take my chances with credit cards verses the possibility of losing cash.

Dang, you must eat good to have to carry around a wad of $100 bills. I carry under $100, replenish it when needed, and have never lost it.

As some people don't like to carry cash there are also those who don't want to bother checking their credit card statement online daily and might find that overly cautious. I feel it is a good idea to check it periodically though as well as to be cautious about not being taken out of your sight.

 

[angwill]

To buy $1700 worth of stuff from Apple!!! At first I thought Apple made a mistake and charged me wrong for the Ipod I ordered earlier in the week and then I realized it was a different credit card and my other credit card had been charged.

It was my Disney Visa - I called them and they were awesome - they immediately cancelled all of my cards, took off the charge and are sending out new cards.

I was so glad I caught it so quickly - the charge went through on the 13th and I went on tonight to pay my bill and thought the balance was REALLY high. Had they made the charge tomorrow - it would have taken me a lot longer to catch it!!

Thinking about it there have been a lot of reports on the boards over the years about fraudulant charges to their Disney Visa card without it being stolen. I don't know if that is coincidence that we are on a Disney board so lots have that card or if there might be an internal problem with Chase and Disney Visa cards.

 

[prncess674]

Dang, you must eat good to have to carry around a wad of $100 bills. I carry under $100, replenish it when needed, and have never lost it.

As some people don't like to carry cash there are also those who don't want to bother checking their credit card statement online daily and might find that overly cautious. I feel it is a good idea to check it periodically though as well as to be cautious about not being taken out of your sight.

It is also a matter of lifestyle and location. I live in a urban setting and $100 doesn't go far. Just what I spent yesterday:

$3 morning latte for metro ride
$9 take out lunch
$24 pick up dry cleaning
$18 taxi to restaurant
$60 (my part) dinner and drinks with friends, wine is $12/glass*3, cheese plate and entree, tax, tip
$18 taxi home from restaurant

I would be schlepping to the ATM every day at that rate, instead I used my points earning credit card and will have the protection of AMEX.

I don't always check my balance every day but it is something I do often and it just lets me know where my money is going.