Watch out for fraud

[YanchaBozu]

Looks like the company notified the admin of ecf. Nice to see that this site is protecting the company, instead of informing users.

Nothing at all wrong with saying "I ordered from here, and now I have some fraudulent charges." Perfectly legal, and responsible. I guess we can't expect a money making enterprise like this to actually have users in mind. Boy, did I make a mistake and think this forum was a community, and not a business.

The best part, are all the people on google complaining about this vendor, years into the past. Seems like an ongoing problem.

 

[Jorge22]

I find it a bit hard to believe it was a shop unless it's some kind of junk shop no one should be buying from.

Just keep your computer as safe as possible (and you don't even have to pay or be a pirate as free versions are basically all you really need, the main difference being you get stuff sent to quarantine instead of being eliminated). For instance, Avast, Malwarebytes, tdsskiller and Windows own firewall (why not?) is a good combination. There are other possible combinations, of course. Also, I know I'm going against what some informaticians tell me as they say it just feeds more junk to your PC, but always keep your computer updated. That way, you should be ok. It's just a pain that you can't get your money back...

EDIT: One more thing... I detest credit cards and I'm not going to use them. I also don't like having to have money in my Paypal account (s). I'm used to paying with a debit card wherever I go (unless I have cash) and to paying that way online too - never had a problem in my life. Just choose where you buy from wisely as when you pay with a debit card you're actually using money you've got as opposed to paying with a credit card - to me, that's much better. But you've got the internet, you've got specialized forums, you really don't need to buy from anyone who may be a scammer.

 

[DaveSignal]

Looks like the company notified the admin of ecf. Nice to see that this site is protecting the company, instead of informing users.

There is no proof. The admin took it down because it was defamation, without any real evidence that the transaction at that site is how the information got leaked.

And this is not specific to online vendors either. You could use your debit card at everyday stores around town like Wal-Mart or Target or Sears and you are risking your bank account every time. Safe practices are really needed to be successful today... one of which would be not shopping with a card linked directly to your bank account.

 

[jseah]

This is why I never use my debit card, only my credit card. Several years ago, I used my credit card to make a purchase at Target on Black Friday (the Target data breach). Watched my activity for months and nothing and then towards the end of March or beginning of April, 5 or 6 transactions hit my account all within a 2 or 3 hour time window. The credit card company suspected fraud and suspended my account because I had used my card in NY that same day and the first fraudulent charge appeared around 15 minutes later and it was over 300 miles from where I had used my card. They CC company issued me a new card. The person I spoke with at the CC company says that sometimes it can be several months before your stolen number is sold and spoofed onto a fake card. So it isn't unusual for fraudulent charges to appear right away after it is stolen, especially if the people stealing the numbers are selling them instead of using it themselves.

If it was a debit card, the money could have been out of my account for up to several weeks until the bank resolved the theft. With a credit card, it's not my money that gets stolen, but the bank's.

 

[Jorge22]

Jeez, I've been using my debit card with vaping shops for 4+ years (the same as everywhere, not online) and nothing ever happened as I always try to know who I'm buying from beforehand, but now you people are making me scared! Maybe I should stay away from the new members forum?

 

[NealBJr]

I, like some others have mentioned, use gift cards/prepaid cards. I do not link my true CC or debit card on any online site. Sure, you pay extra each time, but for me, it's insurance from fraud. The companies I use I trust, but it only takes one disgruntled employee or one scammer to ruin my life.

 

[DaveSignal]

A credit card does not cost any money if you pay the bill every month (no interest will accrue). There are cards available for everyone, even for people who do not have good credit. They earn rewards points on regular purchases... for example: free flights, free cash, free merchandise, just from buying the same things that you put on your debit card, purchased for the same prices. They have $0 liability purchase protection against any fraudulent activity. You don't have to pay for anything unauthorized. That money never leaves your bank. There is no safer way.

 

[YanchaBozu]

Umm, nope. It's not defamation, it is a case of a vendor being favored above users. Of course that is just my opinion, and it may not be true. But don't claim it was a specific legal reason, when it is not.

From Cornell Law: To win a defamation case, a plaintiff must show four things: 1) a false statement purporting to be fact; 2) publication or communication of that statement to a third person; 3) fault; and 4) damages, or some harm caused to the person or entity who is the subject of the statement. You have to prove all 4, not some.

"This shop defrauded me using my credit card" = defamation

"I used my card here, and the next day there were unauthorized charges" = not defamation

If there is a problem, censoring the name just sweeps it under the rug, while informing people would force them to actually check out if there is an internal problem, and solve it. Seems like the main concern for them is just to shut people up about it.

 

[mcol]

Uh. Well I don't know if it was because of me ordering from them
or not that my card number was hacked, however it's set a bad
taste in my mouth and I since have taken them off the list of
vendors I order from. And yes a google search and they've had
problems before this. I use a credit card because the bank backs
me up if there are problems, I'm out nothing, and it doesn't cost
me anything to use it (unless I pay interest on balance of course).
It was a small order too, I think it was an adapter everyone else
was oos on. Do what you have to do. If anyone wants the name
of the company just have them PM you or PM me, no biggie.

 

[AndriaD]

I'm used to paying with a debit card wherever I go (unless I have cash) and to paying that way online too - never had a problem in my life. Just choose where you buy from wisely as when you pay with a debit card you're actually using money you've got as opposed to paying with a credit card - to me, that's much better. But you've got the internet, you've got specialized forums, you really don't need to buy from anyone who may be a scammer.

Ditto all that. I can't imagine using a bank that didn't refund electronically-pilfered funds, once the paperwork is signed and notarized -- mine did that last summer, when a mysterious $49.95 charge appeared to have been made using my debit card -- yes, I had to get a new card, but the money was back in my acct the day after I signed said notarized paperwork.

Credit cards cost money to use; debit cards don't -- and I can't imagine using a bank that charged for their use.

Andria

 

[Nsafisafi]

Looks like the company notified the admin of ecf. Nice to see that this site is protecting the company, instead of informing users.

Nothing at all wrong with saying "I ordered from here, and now I have some fraudulent charges." Perfectly legal, and responsible. I guess we can't expect a money making enterprise like this to actually have users in mind. Boy, did I make a mistake and think this forum was a community, and not a business.

The best part, are all the people on google complaining about this vendor, years into the past. Seems like an ongoing problem.

 

[Nsafisafi]

I've use this card to purchase juices from different vendors in the past without incident and as stated its the second time it's happening from (company not allowed to mention).I thought of awareness when I first made the post.ECF seems to think of it being otherwise

 

[YanchaBozu]

I'm not going to harp on the issue, but I will reiterate beautiful advice here.

I have never been the victim of CC fraud, but I also never use my actual CC online. At 7/11, here in Canada anyways, the prepaid vanilla mastercard and visa only have like a $3-$5 service charge, which isn't very much in my opinion to never have to worry about these sort of issues.

EDIT:, oh and none of the gift cards I have bought have ever had a per transaction fee.

 

[retired1]

Again. Unless you have irrefutable proof that a specific company is at fault, we don't allow inferred references. Your card could have been compromised months ago at a completely different location and the information just now "purchased" to be used elsewhere.

 

[Jorge22]

I've owned an ecigs online shop that's now dead and gone, thing of the past. I only used Paypal and I can guarantee the only data one gets from Paypal are the name and address plus the email address. Noting else. I imagine the same thing happens with banks.

Having said that, I must admit I'm curious and I'd really like it if someone who actually knows infomed me (us) about how scammers really act. Ok, if you aren't protected or act stupidly they can steal your data online. But very often people speak of it being done in the "real world" too. So, imagine you pay a restaurant bill with your Visa debit card, for instance... You insert the card, add the code, all is processed, you get your Visa back. So, how did the scammer get all your data in the meantime? Thank you indeed.

 

[YanchaBozu]

A lot of times, especially in restaurants, they will swipe your card twice. Once in the mahcine, and once in a machine called a skimmer. Then they can get your PIN from a camera, or a partner who tries to watch you do it. Once they have that, they can code a new card from blanks and go shopping. That is from an organized point of view, that doesn't take into acct at a store or restaurant all they need is your name and number, and ccv from the back and they can order online.

To clarify, the waitress usually wouldn't do all of that. The people who buy the info from employees would generally be the ones with the blanks coding cards.

Those are a few ways. One way to avoid double swiping, is to watch the store employee carefully. Also, most restaurants here now bring the card reader to the table as theyre wireless. Don't let a waiter/waitress leave your sight with your CC.

 

[KattMamma]

You are correct that merchants never see credit card info from paypal. But credit card processors are another matter.

I can choose whether I want to store cc numbers on my server or not. I can choose whether I want employees to see cc numbers or not. I have quite a bit of leeway, and take that trust seriously (which is why I DON'T store cc info).

But the vendor can do everything right, the buyer can do everything right, and still breaches happen. Man-in-the-middle attacks, and inside jobs (employees at the cc processing company, or website hosting company) are the most common. Malware on the buyer's computer is another common problem, or so I hear, but this is one method I've never actually seen.

Regarding real world theft of cc info - I've never seen one, but I've heard there are devices that fit in a pocket that makes it super easy for a waitress or store clerk to steal your cc details.

 

[YanchaBozu]

Yep, that is the skimmer.

 

[Jorge22]

Thanks for the info, now I know. I don't think it's happening everywhere though but it's a potential danger. Computers must be protected, that's only common sense. Now, from all I know, I trust business owners, I never simply buy from anywhere, anyway. But the fact that someone in the middle may be a bandit, yes, that's where the real danger lies. I hope nothing weird ever happens to me or anyone really. Well, I certainly hope that...

 

[noway]

i have been using {Company name} to purchase my cartomisers.I made a purchase on 5/20/15 and by 5/21/15 my bank account was empty.Someone used my credit card information on PayPal and spent over $800 in biker's jacket.So please be aware of what you are spending and monitor your account when making online purchases.

If you used paypal they never see your credit card information. Is the jacket listed as a purchase on paypal?