Another CC fraud

[disneysteve]

Got a call from Chase fraud department 8am today questioning a suspicious transaction made yesterday on our Visa card. It was from some telemarketing company, which is exactly what happened a few years ago when we had our last episode of CC fraud.

I told them I didn't make the charge so they immediately canceled the card and are sending out a replacement. They are also notifying the 3 credit bureaus. I'm glad to know they watch things so carefully and catch things so quickly. The last time it happened, I didn't find out until the bill arrived.

Now I just have to notify the companies that are on auto-payment with that card once I get the new card number. That's the only part that is a pain.

[mikesaver]

Nice to know they're keeping an eye out and were able to spot the transaction early. And it's a reminder to us all that we should be checking our own statements every month.

[buildmybudget]

This post is interesting because of your other post--that you would be crazy not to buy online. Do you think these fraudulent charges can be attributed to online transactions and just a cost of buying online? It's great they are paying attention and caught the transaction, but I wonder sometimes if buying online is worth it if my identity could get stolen.

[lovcom]

I heard a piece on NPR a few years ago, and some security expert claimed that most credit card fraud happens offline and not online, and he felt one was safer buying online (internet). I tend to agree.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by buildmybudget

This post is interesting because of your other post--that you would be crazy not to buy online. Do you think these fraudulent charges can be attributed to online transactions and just a cost of buying online? It's great they are paying attention and caught the transaction, but I wonder sometimes if buying online is worth it if my identity could get stolen.

Originally Posted by lovcom

I heard a piece on NPR a few years ago, and some security expert claimed that most credit card fraud happens offline and not online, and he felt one was safer buying online (internet). I tend to agree.

I have no idea how the crook got my number but I agree with lovcom that it is far more likely to have happened with an in person transaction. Online, sites are secure and encrypted. In person when I hand my card to a cashier or waiter, that's when trouble tends to happen.

[buildmybudget]

Good to know. Thanks!

[Seeker]

This happened to me too, just this month I got a billing from Discover with a transaction neither me nor my DH recognized. Almost $600 bucks from one place.

I called them, was transferred to their fraud dept, and they cancelled the account and issued another account number and two CCs.

All of the times this has happened to us have been through online avenues. Airline tikets ordered online about two years ago, and this time an Internet Catalog order.

I don't think anything can really "prevent" this.... except keep watching and monitoring everything. Ask your SO if you see anything on the billing you don't recognize and then refute the charge through your CC company if it's not valid.

[nmboone]

So glad they saw it so early. Same thing happened with me with my Chase card. But my fraud happened in the UK. I live in Louisiana! They caught it before I even saw it on a bill thankfully. I wonder if there is ever an investigation with the people who steal these small amounts.