Just found out I'm a victim of credit card fraud but my card wasn't lost or stolen

[earlywinegareth]

The card has been canceled and I've filed an affidavit at my credit union to be reimbursed for the disputed fraudulent charges (4 of them totaling $820).

The thing I don't understand is this: my card was not lost or stolen, yet somehow someone made purchases at two Wal-Marts and a Dillard's in Texas. How is this possible when the actual card is in my possession?

I got on the Wal-Mart and Dillard's websites and submitted this question to their customer service departments. I'm anxious to hear what they say.

[ultimatesooner]

they get your # and make a duplicate card with your info - this has happened to a few people i work with lately

[Eep]

http://videos.howstuffworks.com/www-...sed-video.htm#

[kevinpate]

I know a fella who traveled out of state with a relative. He used a card for a room or two, gas, snacks, meals.
Somewhere along the way, someone skimmed the card. The con artist then sat on the skimmed info for a couple of months.

This was more than enough time for the fella to carefully examine his bill when it came in and for him to be satisfied no odd charges existed.
Ditto for the bill after that one - usual and customary use only reported on the bill.
Then, one weekend, his info was used for several hundred worth of smallish this and that purchases, all racked up in a state he did not even pass through on his vacation.
He was here in Oklahoma at the time, as was his card.

He got his funds back, and a new card, but yeah, this got up under his skin for a spell.
I've been hit before, but never big, and never anything very sophisticated.

Sophisticated or sloppy, this crap is never fun when it happens.

[Thunder]

It is a profitable business, as long you do not get caught. I've got some skimmers around the city. Know what you are doing...will never get caught. Order things online...ship to random address...and stake out at those addresses for immediate pickup. (Btw, I was not serious...) :-)

Honestly, those that had been skimmed...their fault! It is your card, you are responsible for it. That does not mean you can just give it to someone.... You hold that card at all time and you swipe the card yourself. It is obvious when you swipe your card to know if there is a skimmer attached or not. We shouldn't have sympathy for these people.

[Eep]

Honestly, those that had been skimmed...their fault! It is your card, you are responsible for it. That does not mean you can just give it to someone.... You hold that card at all time and you swipe the card yourself. It is obvious when you swipe your card to know if there is a skimmer attached or not. We shouldn't have sympathy for these people.

Don't dine out at nice restaurants much, do you?

Blaming the victim isn't cool. That's like saying that anyone whose info gets stolen out of an online database due to crappy web programming is at fault because they didn't check the site for SQL injection vulnerabilities first.

[Easy180]

Don't dine out at nice restaurants much, do you?

Blaming the victim isn't cool. That's like saying that anyone whose info gets stolen out of an online database due to crappy web programming is at fault because they didn't check the site for SQL injection vulnerabilities first.

That was a pretty ignorant statement...Plenty of scenarios where it is impossible to swipe the card yourself

[Thunder]

Don't dine out at nice restaurants much, do you?

Blaming the victim isn't cool. That's like saying that anyone whose info gets stolen out of an online database due to crappy web programming is at fault because they didn't check the site for SQL injection vulnerabilities first.

Pay cash. Simple.

[MadMonk]

If you get mugged with all your cash, is it your fault too?

[BBatesokc]

Pay cash. Simple.

Actually, that is the worst advice except for very small purchases.

[BBatesokc]

As long as you keep up with your credit card charges (we go online nightly) and you don't carry a balance, then CC's are your best bet. I used to use my Visa Debit all the time, but when I found fraudulent charges a couple of years ago it was a bigger hassle to get it credited back than if it had happened with a credit card. It was all covered and resolved within a week, but for that time the cash was gone an unavailable to me. Credit card companies will cover for fraud, often extend existing warranties, have perks/points/cash back, offer discounts on hotels and car rentals, provide insurance (life and car rental in my case) and more. Really the only down side I see is if you abuse the CC and carry a balance for more than a month or two. Though we've made large purchases with CC checks that offered no interest for 6 months to a year just to keep the cash working for us. Plus if you get ripped off you're screwed if you paid cash but with a CC you often have recourse.

The biggest mistake financially you can make trying to protect yourself is those companies like LifeLock, major scams.

[earlywinegareth]

Skimming and cloning cards...I had no idea this type of fraud technology was out there, otherwise I would never have let the card out of my hands. Restaurants are the only places the card got of my sight. I haven't been outside OKC metro in several months, so it happened somewhere around here, just don't know where. In the past month I've visited restaurants in OKC, Norman, and Midwest City. I'm now weighing whether to carry cash again...I haven't in a long time. Maybe only when we go out to eat...make the obligatory ATM visit on the way. Sucks. Hurry up thumbprint verification technology!

One good thing...the funds were credited back to my account this morning. The fraud occurred Wednesday, I filed the affidavit Thursday, and today (Friday) the money was returned. Thank you Tinker Federal Credit Union!

[jmarkross]

I have been ganked a few times...with cards...most important thing, I think is--especially if you use them online--BE SURE about your bank's policy for handling this. Mine has me sign an affadavit and then credits me the amount back immediately and then awaits any disputes--which never comes from crooks. I have not had any problems with VISA of MasterCard. I also use a separate online debit card for internet buys--with limits on it...and shift money back and forth when needed for that account. Keeping any deep pockets away from scammers. No place is safe anymore...worst thing of all is a CHECK--your name. address, phone number, bank account number and facsimile signature--the PERFECT ID Theft Kit!!

[BBatesokc]

Customers' credit information stolen at local restaurant

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-...,2223088.story

[earlywinegareth]

I talked to another TFCU member who was scammed the same way last month. She reported it to police who told her hundreds of people were skimmed at Buffalo Wild Wings and that TFCU has been hit so hard recently that there is an investigation with the FBI.

Neither of us had eaten at BWWs so the problem around here is more than just one person.

[Easy180]

Use online bill pay instead of checks since the bill pay check does not include your account info

[dismayed]

They don't even need access to your card at all. The bad guys can randomly create a number that just happens to be yours. That has been happening a lot lately too.

Yeah the bad guys are ultimately to blame, but it is clear in my mind that the industry has some culpability in this because the system is just so flimsy. The front door may be locked but everyone knows the keys are under the matt.... The problem is that the industry refuses to spend the money to improve the system... and so they simply will not address this problem until there is a major incident (or law) that eventually forces them to. Until then expect more band-aid fixes like $50 liability limits....

[jmarkross]

They don't even need access to your card at all. The bad guys can randomly create a number that just happens to be yours. That has been happening a lot lately too.

Yeah the bad guys are ultimately to blame, but it is clear in my mind that the industry has some culpability in this because the system is just so flimsy. The front door may be locked but everyone knows the keys are under the matt.... The problem is that the industry refuses to spend the money to improve the system... and so they simply will not address this problem until there is a major incident (or law) that eventually forces them to. Until then expect more band-aid fixes like $50 liability limits....

My bank will treat a fraudulent VISA debit as a "returned check" and then the so-called debit holder must prove their validity. Seems to eliminate any problem for me other than the hassle. My only charges originated in Eastern Europe...and many do...and my bank charges me nothing. NEVER use any bank that makes you suffer in any way--it is VISA and MasterCard's RESPONSIBILITY to prove debits--NOT YOURS! A debit is essentially a "check"...nothing more. My VISA debit says "ATM/Check Card"--very, very different than a credit card--which can go under different rules.

[jmarkross]

If you get mugged with all your cash, is it your fault too?

It is one of the few times that it IS your fault...if you had been packin' a PIECE and were fairly good at using it--you would still have your geetz in your pocket...

[jmarkross]

As long as you keep up with your credit card charges (we go online nightly) and you don't carry a balance, then CC's are your best bet. I used to use my Visa Debit all the time, but when I found fraudulent charges a couple of years ago it was a bigger hassle to get it credited back than if it had happened with a credit card. It was all covered and resolved within a week, but for that time the cash was gone an unavailable to me. Credit card companies will cover for fraud, often extend existing warranties, have perks/points/cash back, offer discounts on hotels and car rentals, provide insurance (life and car rental in my case) and more. Really the only down side I see is if you abuse the CC and carry a balance for more than a month or two. Though we've made large purchases with CC checks that offered no interest for 6 months to a year just to keep the cash working for us. Plus if you get ripped off you're screwed if you paid cash but with a CC you often have recourse.

The biggest mistake financially you can make trying to protect yourself is those companies like LifeLock, major scams.

LifeLock is a travesty! Rather than risk any losses--sign up with those sorry bastards and TAKE the LOSS from them! Ha! I think they help scamsters (if not do them themselves!) to drum up their nefarious business...

[jmarkross]

They don't even need access to your card at all. The bad guys can randomly create a number that just happens to be yours. That has been happening a lot lately too.

Yeah the bad guys are ultimately to blame, but it is clear in my mind that the industry has some culpability in this because the system is just so flimsy. The front door may be locked but everyone knows the keys are under the matt.... The problem is that the industry refuses to spend the money to improve the system... and so they simply will not address this problem until there is a major incident (or law) that eventually forces them to. Until then expect more band-aid fixes like $50 liability limits....

It has WHOLE LOT to do with lawyers--like so many other problems. They create the confusing laws and barriers and hoops to jump through...making money coming and going. Need draconian laws for lawyers to PAY when they lose frivolous cases. AND a strict lifetime disbarment...with *zero* mercy for unscrupulous behavior. They can learn a new trade like everyone else when the screw up.

[BBatesokc]

It is one of the few times that it IS your fault...if you had been packin' a PIECE and were fairly good at using it--you would still have your geetz in your pocket...

That's a very irresponsible statement, and I say that as an individual who has a canceal and carry and is CLEET certified (along with my wife). You've obviously been watching too many tv shows. If someone is armed and is robbing you it's already too late to use your weapon. The best defense is to stay aware and avoid situations that make you an easy victim.

[earlywinegareth]

Just saw similar thread in the Food & Restaurants section of this forum re BWW at I-40 & Rockwell. This skimming/cloning threat is real and ongoing right now in the OKC metro and it's not isolated. Please tell your friends and family to be uber careful.

My new rule is: the card doesn't leave my sight.

[OKCisOK4me]

My new rule is: the card doesn't leave my sight.

From the way I understand it, you could view it the whole time...the digits are scanned, or whatever, during transmission through the phone line, right? If my understanding is correct, then it's really quite ridiculous. Either way it's bad. I have heard the stories of how they swipe your card into their own little swiper which retains your digits and exp. date, while they're taking care of your tab. Crazy, crazy, crazy. I work in retail and I just don't understand why people do this.

[BBatesokc]

There really is no reason to stress out about it, or hover over your credit card. Just hold on to your receipts (we have a little box by the door where we put all our receipts or use our cell phone camera to take a pic of the receipt) in case you are charged too much for a legitimate purchase and check your account online on a very regular basis.

We also use the app called Mint and it's great. We get an email whenever there is a large deposit/withdrawal or unusual spending. We can also use it go check our banking accounts anytime.