Last night I got a call from my credit card company, saying that there were some fraudulent charges on my card. I was pretty impressed they figured it out after only three fake charges. And while I am very careful about where I use it, I have been throwing around that piece of plastic quite a bit lately in many different parts of the country. However, it seems that someone had memory on their machine and made a counterfeit card that s/he's been able to swipe and charge to my account.
I'm guessing they figured it out because I was making charges here in Chicago at the same time they were living it up at Von's and Albertson's in Redondo Beach and Torrence, California. They also made an $8 charge online, which is baffling not only because it was so small, but they certainly wouldn't be sending it to my house. I'm so relieved my company caught it in time, but hearing about this has made me feel violated and extremely paranoid. Not that I needed any more encouragement on that last part.
Watch your wallets, people.
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14 comments:
Ugh. Sorry, cadiz.
I actually think this is a happy story. I mean, it sucks that fraudulent charges were made, but look what happened? They were identified quickly, and the situation was resolved. It's not too long until we get rid of paper money anyways. It's nice to know that you aren't left high and dry in these situations. Also, of all the things in my life that could be stolen, money is relatively low on the list. Old blue, my yoing companion of the last decade or so? Extremely high on the list.
I agree with Jon--all in all, an experience which helps one have faith in the credit card processing folks. (did I really just type that??)
While my wife and I were on vacation, we had a purchase challenged, and it made sense: we were buying fixtures and stuff for a bathroom remodel, so the dollar amounts were a bit different than the stop at Wendy's for lunch. It was a pain to get them to let us spend OUR MONEY, but, upon further review, I had to agree they made the prudent call in asking for further verification of that charge.
I hope I have now met any karmic obligation I have to any financial institution! (feel need to go wash fingers which typed this comment...)
That's awful. I once accidentally left my ATM card in the machine (it actually doesn't sound quite so stupid when I tell the full story), and the guy who was in there was more than happy to help himself to $400 from my checking account. Even though the bank gave me $400 to replace the lost dough, the guy still had an extra $400 and that was enough to make me want to find him and smash his face in. Or just curl into a ball in the corner and cry about the huge disappointment that is humanity. What freaks me out about your story is that your little card was still safe and sound in your wallet--you got taken advantage of just by using your credit card. Which is what you're supposed to do with credit cards. ARGH.
Holy cow, girl, that is awful. I can't believe you were just using your card and then someone went off and used it at the same time. Good thing they caught it. Did you figure out where the number might have been stolen. I would have sued like there's no tomorrow for mental distress. Seriously, write down all of your symptoms. :)
That's annoying. Very. My sympathy. Like everyone else, though, I'm glad they caught it.
I just have to tell you that I totally know who Winnie Cooper is. And she was way better than Wanda.
that's never happened to me, but my sister just had someone do the same thing to her last week. they swiped her card info and pin, and then made a duplicate card and cleaned out her checking account- from Bangkok. Thailand. The bank replaced all her money, too, but not before the thieves slipped in four seperate 8-cent withdrawals. How is that even possible?
Yikes! That's scary!
Gawd sake, at least they figured it out in time! One of my friends recently had around £600 taken from their account after their card was 'cloned' at an ATM. That was about a month ago and she still hasn't received the money back.
Hope you get your money back soon too, it doesn't even matter that an amount as little as $8 was taken, it's the principle! It wasn't their money in the first place!
Seems like a well-guarded process led to a relatively happy ending. Still, it's no fun canceling a card number, especially with online stuff. Most credit card companies seem helpful and well-informed, so that's good.
I'm glad the story has a happy ending! The one fraudulent charge my company called me for was my sister using my card details back at home while I use it thousands of miles away here :>
I'm so glad they caught it! Nothing is safe.
Now that's a bugger. I still can't believe how easy it is to do that kinda thing and get away with it!! Atleast the CC company noticed it and put a stop to it.
It's like one of those things you see but think it'll never happen to me until it does.
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