ANGRY/MAD and just want to vent to my friends.....

[Norry]

I got a phone call today from my Credit Card company and it seems someone in Ohio is using my CC number to buy gas and sodas and furniture and who knows what else! Funny thing is we're not in Ohio, we're in Oregon....uggggghhh. We only have two cards and hubby and I both have them here in Oregon with us.

We were in Ohio about this time last year so I figure at some point and time when we used it there must have been one of those funky machines that stole the info or a dishonest vendor who took our information and had a card made. They may have messed up though cause the rep said they used it to make an online purchase and the fraud department will track down the delivery address. STUPID thieves.

I'm so thankful that the CC company is one that really watches out for irregular purchases. The charges were all made Sunday and Monday so they were on the ball. We've had our card suspended in the past when we used it. As an example some gas stations limit a fuel fill up to $75.00 per purchase. When we fill up the truck & reserve tank it'll take 75 gallons so we'll have to run it several times. A quick phone call is all it ever takes to resolve it. At least we won't be held responsible for the fraudulent charges...

Needless to say the cards been cancelled and I've spent all day looking at every other CC account, bank account, cell phone account, etc, etc, changing user-ids, passwords, security questions, etc., etc. We are so careful with our cards too and I shred everything including the envelopes that have our address on them...Sometimes no matter what you do the bad guys are gonna get you!

OK back to your regularly scheduled vapeing. I just needed to VENT a little....

 

[vaporgalinfla]

Norry - I'm sorry this happened to you. Last year, I had two credit cards compromised. Fortunately, both banks alerted me right away as they thought there was suspicious activity.

I hope you feel better now that you vented.

 

[TexasT]

Yeah, that is scary Norry and I'm sorry to hear it happened to you guys.

I'm certainly no expert on this subject, but I was always concerned about doing things like paying bills electronically through our bank when we were traveling with our trailer. Most of the trailer parks have a Wi-Fi system for the internet and that is very easy to hack from what I understand. So we got paper bills and didn't do anything like that on the internet.

But the hackers can get your information in so many ways. Its really a concern.

TT

 

[Norry]

Yep, I do VG, thanks...It'll all get taken care of. Nothing gets my dander up like a thief. It's no wonder the costs of things are high when companies and insurance companies have to take losses due to dishonesty...

 

[Norry]

I know TT. I don't ever use the free wifi offered at RV parks. I use my own secured Verizon mifi to do any type of banking or bill pay. Since it was only the one card compromised I figure that the info was "borrowed" when we used it in Ohio last year. Since it was used at several gas stations and quick marts they had to have had an actual card made up. If it was just the online purchases I'd be more inclined to think about hacking or someone getting ahold of some of our mail. Since we travel so much, the internet is actually safer since I don't have any type of bills or statements mailed at all. My hubby had some Credit Card checks stolen out of his mail box years ago (before I met him) and they were used at several stores. Took forever to clear that up....

 

[TexasT]

Yeah, I guess a secured mifi would be a real good way to do that. I'll have to look into that further.

TT

 

[Pamdane]

If you know what city it is in, call the local police. I had this happen to me- I live in Ohio. It is now a felony to fraudulently use a another pesons credit card in Ohio. Good Luck... BTW, my person was found and prosecuted. She too ordered on line. The company sent her stuff to my credit card address on file, not her.

 

[technovapir]

I'm so sorry for you Norry! How stressful...and you SHOULD be relaxing & enjoying the Oregon coast. THAT is what the thieves really have taken...(((Hugs)))

 

[Norry]

It works really well TT. We've had it for 2 years and there are times when I don't have any cell reception and still get an internet signal. Let me know if you want details about price, gig per month, etc. and I'll PM it to you.....

 

[Norry]

Thanks Pam...The CC company has turned it over to their Fraud Dept. The guy I talked to said we were really lucky that they ordered something online because it makes it sooo much easier to track them down. A smart thief would have just gone hog wild at Walmart and wouldn't have made an online purchase. Whats funny is that the purchase was made at a store that sells baby furniture, clothes, etc...I went to the site today and they even have a baby registry. It'll be really funny if they actually bought something for someone using the registry...LOL

I can't access the account right now since they've closed it out. There sending new cards to my in-laws in Cali and I'll get them in 2 weeks when we get there. After that I can create a new account and sign in. Then I'll be able to see all the charges and keep updated on the Fraud Squad doing their work....

 

[Norry]

I'm so sorry for you Norry! How stressful...and you SHOULD be relaxing & enjoying the Oregon coast. THAT is what the thieves really have taken...(((Hugs)))

Thanks Techno. I'm fine now. In fact we went and sat on the beach and watched the sunset. It was gorgeous. Nothing I can do about it really and I won't let them make me a basket case because then they win. I just really needed to vent loudly and I knew my friends here would let me do that.....

I will admit though that I opened up a bottle of 24mg pina colada that I got as a free sample. Since I normally vape 12mg you know where my stress level was earlier today......

 

[technovapir]

I'm glad you're able to let it go a bit & enjoy those sunsets. They're marvelous!
I do the same thing with the sample bottles. I never order the hi-nic stuff, but it's nice to have on hand for those occasions.

 

[Elphaba13]

Vent away chick. That is SERIOUSLY uncool.

 

[MamaD]

I can understand that fear. My sister who never does anything online with her cc, just had a charge in France for $1.87 then next day they tried from Africa $800. As I only use my bank card, standard debit/credit card linked to my checking account that could put a hurt lock on me quick.

I went to the bank yesterday, had a second checking account opened. I will use that one for any online, traveling, automatic withdraw (netflix) etc. purchases. Since we have direct deposit into our main account, there were no additional charges for second acct. So now when I need to make an online purchase, or if I'm traveling, that card will be used. All it takes is a phone call to my auto-mated bank # to transfer the money. I also didn't get overdraft protection for a reason. I will transfer the money as I know I need it.

It will take a little more effort on my part, but I feel this was the best way to protect me. Today it is just to easy for someone to help themselves to our information. And some people are getting desperate. I am very glad to hear that your c.c. company was on top of this. And that you were able to enjoy a wonderful sun set. Enjoy!

 

[mauisun]

here in Arizona gas stations are a real risk when using cards. thieves are putting skimmers both inside and outside the pump scanning area. best bet is to go inside the gas station and pay with your card there. Open an account just for small day to day stuff and don't keep alot of money in it to protect yourself.

 

[Norry]

That's good to Know. Thanks bunches for the info since we'll be in AZ next month....Fortunately we only use 1 Credit Card while we're traveling. I learned a long time ago not to use my bank card for any transactions other than those at my bank.

True story that my mother-in-law told me last night. They have some friends who are in their 90s. On a return trip from Oregon back to Cali they stayed at a hotel on their way home. When they got in the next day there was a message on their answering machine. Their CC company told them their was some odd charges on their card. Your history shows you only use this card for gas and hotels but there were two online purchases made the previous day.....One to Victorias Secret and one to Christies toybox. My MILs friend said well I'm too old for Victorias Secret but I did stop and pick up my grandkids some goodies but I don't remember the name of the store. The rep then explained to her that Christies was an "Adult" toy store. According to my MIL her friend had a Kaniption (sp) fit.

They ended up tracking it back to a young girl who was the clerk at the hotel. She had copied down the CC information. I don't understand some peoples stupidity in ordering things online to be delivered to your own house using a stolen credit card number.

 

[SecondChance]

Sorry to hear that Norry!! I have been there a couple of times myself...and it Stinks, the last one was a real trip they stole my replacement card while in route to me, and knew how to play the game, racked up 2500.00 in less than a day, and then made a fake payment over the phone using someone's stolen checking account to try to keep it going.. there are alot sleazy ones out there.

Glad the CC company is taking care of things...

SC

 

[Norry]

It's funny in a sad way. Hubby got on line last night to see if there were pictures of the fake reader that they put in to CC readers at gas stations etc., He was amazed at the thousands of hits he got where you can buy anything and everything to make fake credit cards, bank cards, checks, etc....They've even got "How To" books for dummies....Just plain sad that some people have nothing better to do with their lives than to cheat and steal. Mother-In-Law got my replacement cards in the mail the next day so that's one less worry.

Just some advice if anyone's interested--I went my CC companys website as well as my bank and there are places where you can set up email notifications on purchases. I set all the accounts to notify me if there is a purchase made by check or CC that exceeds $10.00. I pay all our bills the beginning of the month and I typically only use one CC and never write checks or use my debit unless absolutely necessary so I"ll only be bombarded with emails once a month. Better than the alternative....

I tested it out and used my card online for a $10.00 purchase and within 3 minutes I was notified via email..Works for me!

 

[pinklilpixie4]

This happened to my pops just this week!! He still has the card with him that the person is using in like Florida or something to get gas and things like that somehow. And the people at the bank were arguing and saying that his card must have been stolen even though he kept telling them he was holding it right in his hand. They are working on catching the guy now. It's happened to my parents once before and they caught the lady and she spent quite a bit of time in jail. We can only hope these other people are caught as well!! I hope it all works out for you Norry!!