[Dana]

Hi all. I know you all the dangers of Credit card scams, but I would like to take a few moments of your time to inform you of something that happened to me. My bank flagged a charge to my account today from a marketing company I have never heard from. The charge was attempted this morning and my bank's fraud department called me immediately. They told me the person trying to charge my card provided the incorrect security code. They have blocked my card and froze my account until I can see them on Monday as per my request. The customer rep I spoke with asked me if I made any charges online. I said I did. He told me that unless the site has someting in writing about privacy do not use it to purchase. They think my information was either hacked or sold...whatever that means. I feel completely violated but am so happy that I have a great bank looking out for my interests. I just wanted to let you all know of my rotten experience so you guys are more careful. I would not want anyone to feel like I do right now. Thanks for your time and I hope this information was useful to someone. I feel completely stupid for not knowing the basics on these matters and have learned one hard lesson today.

[tinkerbell]

Oh Dana how lucky you are that it was caught. So dont feel bad.. it can happen to anyone ..even the most careful and not always online. It made me rethink the online orders I have made, and due to the pain I have done more online shopping this year then ever before. But I watch my cc by checking online daily and same with my checking account. Really dont beat yourself up about it though because it wasnt your fault

[Dana]

I need to pay more attention to these things that's for sure. I always assume that it's safe to do these kinds of things and take things for granted. I have to be more careful and will be from now on. I'm glad my bank caught it and wasn't like some of the unfortunate people you hear about going into debt for thousands because of these people who do this kind of thing. I'm certain there is a special place in heck for all of them.

[teresadisney]

We had someone make another card with our number on it, and then go to 5 different Wal Marts in the same day! They charged right at 500 per visit, and we did not know it until we got our bill! You are very lucky that you have an on the ball bank!

[mattomouseman]

Some advise:
If you have a wireless set up networking your home computers or at work DO NOT use the computer attached to the wireless card for internet purchases. Thiefs with the proper equipment can sit near your house and or office and intercept your information as you send it to the wirelss router! Always the computer hooked into the hardwire for internet purchases!

[Dana]

Originally posted by mattomouseman
Some advise:
If you have a wireless set up networking your home computers or at work DO NOT use the computer attached to the wireless card for internet purchases. Thiefs with the proper equipment can sit near your house and or office and intercept your information as you send it to the wirelss router! Always the computer hooked into the hardwire for internet purchases!

Thanks for the tip Matto.

Sorry to hear what happended to you tersea. That's horrible. Did you have to pay that all? OMG. what is this world coming to?

[Goofette]

Originally posted by mattomouseman
Some advise:
If you have a wireless set up networking your home computers or at work DO NOT use the computer attached to the wireless card for internet purchases. Thiefs with the proper equipment can sit near your house and or office and intercept your information as you send it to the wirelss router! Always the computer hooked into the hardwire for internet purchases!

Matto, I'm not sure I understand. Since I'm not sure what a wireless card is, does that mean I probably don't have one? Or does it mean like a wireless phone? And do you know if people with scanners can listen to cordless phone calls? I heard that they could and often wondered about that. There are some conversations I would rather my neighbors didn't here :p

My mother told me a couple of weeks ago that her credit card company contacted her because someone purchased a dell computer with her number. She doesn't have a computer and hasn't used the card, so I don't know how they got the information.

[LRTJS]

Dana, I am so glad that it was caught by your bank. My DS had trouble like that when someone went all over Atlanta charging at a "Room to Go" on his account. He had a horrible time trying to get it straight. :madmad

[Dana]

Originally posted by LRTJS
Dana, I am so glad that it was caught by your bank. My DS had trouble like that when someone went all over Atlanta charging at a "Room to Go" on his account. He had a horrible time trying to get it straight. :madmad

Leslie - I am sorry for your son. I think my bank caught it because you have to use a security code with mine to purchase anything online or over the phone. My card is actually a Visa Check Card and not your everyday Visa card. . I hope everything worked out for your son.

Goofette - Is your Mom responsible for the $$? What a horrible thing to happen to her. The things that people can access is scary. Yes, you can over-hear cordless calls from other people. My neighbor's telephone line always gets crossed with mine and I can hear all of her calls. I am usually so embarrased, I hang up. I feel like a peeping TOm. We only have that problem in bad weather though.

[Goofette]

No Dana, my mother isn't going to be responsible. Actually, if she doesn't send in the proper paperwork in time she will be, but I think she's already sent it in. Thank goodness the company caught it. I dont' know if they found the person who charged it, but for some reason I was under the understanding that the person was caught right at the time they did it.

[Dana]

Originally posted by Goofette
No Dana, my mother isn't going to be responsible. Actually, if she doesn't send in the proper paperwork in time she will be, but I think she's already sent it in. Thank goodness the company caught it. I dont' know if they found the person who charged it, but for some reason I was under the understanding that the person was caught right at the time they did it.

thank Goodness. That would have been a mess for her. I hope they caught them. Why do these people prey on others? Why can't they just get a job and work like we all have to? It's frustrating and defeating at times to know there are people who make their living stealing off of others and making their lives a living heck. I am so glad it's all straightened out for her.

[roncss]

One other strategy that I use, more for convenience, is a separate credit card for on-line or telephone transactions. This card has a lower credit limit and is fully separate from my primary account. The advantage is 1) lower limits reduces the risk; and 2) separate account means that, if compromised, my primary credit access remains available.
Ron

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally posted by mattomouseman
Some advise:
If you have a wireless set up networking your home computers or at work DO NOT use the computer attached to the wireless card for internet purchases. Thiefs with the proper equipment can sit near your house and or office and intercept your information as you send it to the wirelss router! Always the computer hooked into the hardwire for internet purchases!

Thanks for the advice Matto. I would never had known that possible. Lucky for me we don't have a wireless set up (one of the benefits of living in the middle of no where!). We do have a cable modem and I worry about that as well.

[LAURENGOLD]

OH Dana& everyone else this has affected, I am so sorry for you. I hope you get everything cleared up. Ron-that's a very good idea. I hope everything works out.

Lauren

[tinkerbell]

Originally posted by roncss
One other strategy that I use, more for convenience, is a separate credit card for on-line or telephone transactions. This card has a lower credit limit and is fully separate from my primary account. The advantage is 1) lower limits reduces the risk; and 2) separate account means that, if compromised, my primary credit access remains available.
Ron

I always use the same card for online purchases. and like I posted before I check my credit card and bank statements online daily because the sooner you catch it any problems the easier it is to have it taken care of.
I think now all banks have online access to your statements and all cc's too. Its also good to have a firewall to protect your computer from intursions (spelling) I have always used nortons, currently 2003 which even shows me who last tried to attack my pc and their location and ip.