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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 17:42:23
I'm so freaked out and I have no one to talk to. Just a minute ago I got a call from my credit union's fraud prevention people, and found out that someone half way across the country made a counterfeit Visa with my magnetic strip on it. They spent several hundred dollars just today, at Radio Shack and Texaco and some other crap. The fraud prevention person told me the times of the transactions, and they occurred while I was taking a NAP!!!
I hate this violated feeling. The fraud prevention rep said that I won't have to pay for those charges because I can file a dispute, and a block has been put on my card so that nothing else can be charged to it.
I work so hard for my money and some lazy bum is trying to steal it from me. I won't 100% believe that I don't have to pay for the fradulent charges until my credit union officially tells me so after I file my dispute.
I hate having no support to help me when something bad happens to me.
Posted by ghost on July 13, 2004, at 17:49:49
In reply to Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 17:42:23
it's frustrating to deal with money issues all alone, but your credit card company is on your side-- it was awesome of them to contact you and to put a block on your card. i hope they catch the bastard.
Posted by partlycloudy on July 13, 2004, at 17:53:41
In reply to Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 17:42:23
I agree with ghost; at least they caught it quickly. I know what you mean about doing this alone, though. I don't know how many times I've been distraught or upset and thought - who can I call? And the answer has been - not a soul who would care to know.
Did the credit card company give you any advice about protecting yourself from something like this?
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 18:08:18
In reply to Re: Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by partlycloudy on July 13, 2004, at 17:53:41
They don't know yet how it happened, so they didn't give me any advice. They are going to issue me a brand new card, though.
I feel like crying, this feels crummy, almost like when I got mugged.
> I agree with ghost; at least they caught it quickly. I know what you mean about doing this alone, though. I don't know how many times I've been distraught or upset and thought - who can I call? And the answer has been - not a soul who would care to know.
>
> Did the credit card company give you any advice about protecting yourself from something like this?
>
Posted by partlycloudy on July 13, 2004, at 18:33:45
In reply to Re: Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 18:08:18
Well, it IS a mugging!! They got something of yours against your will! I would be feeling - invaded is the only word I can think of. The only thing you don't have is a bump on your noggin.
Thank heaven your credit card company is vigilant about purchases outside of your regular pattern. I guess that's what our annual fees (or - ahem - interest) pays for.
Posted by Jai Narayan on July 13, 2004, at 19:21:40
In reply to Re: Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to! » PhoenixGirl, posted by partlycloudy on July 13, 2004, at 18:33:45
Wow, that is so heavy! I can't believe that happened. How did they get your credit card magnetic strip?
I find this crime so invasive and it freaks me out.I shred everything but there's no way I can make sure that my credit card is only mine....
Did you scream when they called. I would probably want to express in some sound volume.
What do we have to do? Not have a credit card? Or can they get one anyway if you have good credit?
I (for the first time) got my credit history. It's good to do to see if there is any activity going on that is not authorized by me.
It's like having a part of yourself ripped off.
I remember my father saying, "All you have is your reputation".
Credit, these days, is our monetary character.Well I hope it doesn't happen again.
Do these people have your social security #?
How could they have gotten your magnetic strip????
This creaps me out.Okay I hope I haven't scared you. It's just one of those things that scares me.
You have every speck of my empathy.
Idenity theft is the biggest fraud going right now.
It happens frequently.
really sorry it happened to you.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 21:52:06
In reply to Oh my how weird......, posted by Jai Narayan on July 13, 2004, at 19:21:40
Hi guys. I still don't know how it all happened, how a conterfeit card was made. I just know that one was made with a magnetic strip that posts to my account.
I'll know more tomorrow when I reach my credit union. The rep I spoke with today is part of their fraud prevention team, who can reach you after business hours. But I have to contact the credit union during business hours to sort this out.
I'll give you guys an update tomorrow after things develop.
Thanks for your support, guys.
Posted by karen_kay on July 13, 2004, at 22:02:07
In reply to Oh my how weird......, posted by Jai Narayan on July 13, 2004, at 19:21:40
what's the lowest credit rating? i can't even get a marsh discount card :(
you said: Credit, these days, is our monetary character.
oh no!!! my day just got worse!!! another reason i should marry rich!i remember once i told bubba that i lie alot! and he told me 'if you have nothing, you have your word.' i told him i didn't care about keeping my word, i didn't want to get into trouble!
Posted by lonelygirl on July 14, 2004, at 2:19:47
In reply to Re: Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 18:08:18
Hey PhoenixGirl,
I hesitate to post this, because I don't want to freak you out any more than necessary, but I am worried because this sounds just a little bit like something I have read about. For all the details, go to:
http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/creditcard.asp
Now, for an executive summary... There is a scam where someone calls you up and says he's from the fraud department investigating some unusual charges on your card. The person sounds very official, give you his badge number, a case reference number, etc., and talks you into giving information he can use to defraud you.
So, please think about that phone call and remember whether the person on the phone asked you for any information about your card (e.g., to verify that you still have your card), such as the 3-digit code on the back of the card, any part of the card number, etc.
If they didn't ask for any information about this card, just tell me I'm an idiot (well, you probably shouldn't say it in those words, 'cause it could be considered uncivil by some!) and I'll look for a hole to crawl into, but on the off chance that there was something shady about this call, you need to call your credit card company ASAP.
Posted by Jai Narayan on July 14, 2004, at 8:06:40
In reply to Re: Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to! » PhoenixGirl, posted by lonelygirl on July 14, 2004, at 2:19:47
I wondered how to trust anyone anymore with money issues.
I tried to order something over the phone and the company offered me a credit card which would give me an extra 10% off the purchase....all I needed to do was give her my SS#....I freaked and said cancel everything. I hung up and was worried I over reacted. But I trust no one....nada..empty set... zero....null....void...not a bit of trust.
So this smelled like a scam to me too.
Thanks for posting this.
Posted by karen_kay on July 14, 2004, at 9:50:26
In reply to Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 17:42:23
i'm sorry, i was self-absorbed there for a moment while feeling sorry for myself :( it happens.
i'm really sorry that happened to you dear. i really wish i had some useful advice for you, but i'm known for being taken advantage of. file the dispute though. i'm sure that you won't have to pay for the charges... oh! if you happen to have any type of receipt for anything during that span of time (proving you weren't at that texaco and radio shack!) it would prove your point, right? so, say you purchased gas 2 blocks away from your house with your mastercard even 2 hours prior, it would prove that you couldn't have bought gas or anything at radio shack across the country (unless you loaned the card out, but then why would they call you from fraud prevention? unless they are just dumb)...
i'm sure you won't have to pay it... they are looking out for you dear. that's why they called you! ((((((((phoenix)))))))))
Posted by TexasChic on July 14, 2004, at 12:23:24
In reply to Re: Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by karen_kay on July 14, 2004, at 9:50:26
The same thing happened to me a few years ago. The credit card company called saying the was a large amount of activity on my card. I had just bought a treadmill, so I thought that was it. But after she listed the treadmill, then there was $500 at Walmart, and various fillups at gas stations. That's when I looked in my purse and discovered the card was gone. I'm pretty sure I left it where I bought the treadmill. Anyway, all the charges were taken off, no questions asked. I was grateful they called. I just thought I'd let you know it does really happen (the card company will call if there is an unusual amount of activity on your card). Hang in there, it will get taken care of.
Posted by AuntieMel on July 14, 2004, at 16:06:15
In reply to Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 17:42:23
It happened to me, too. I didn't find out till the bill came in. Called the card company and told them I didn't make those purchases.
They took it all off the bill and issued a new card. No problems.
We saw a thing about card ripoffs at restaraunts, though it can happen anywhere. The person taking the card runs it through a card reader that records the magnetic strip. From that fake cards can be made.
It's common enough that card companies half expect it and don't give you any trouble.
Posted by PhoenixGirl on July 14, 2004, at 20:38:05
In reply to Re: Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk » PhoenixGirl, posted by AuntieMel on July 14, 2004, at 16:06:15
I called my credit union directly, and the fraud really did happen. The charges are starting to post to my account, which I looked at online. I just have to dispute the charges, and I won't have to pay for them.
So I feel relieved, but just freaked that it happened at all. Thanks for your support everybody!
Posted by Jai Narayan on July 14, 2004, at 21:14:49
In reply to Update, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 14, 2004, at 20:38:05
I am so glad your credit card company is there for you.
Posted by Emme on July 15, 2004, at 9:57:41
In reply to Freakin out, credit card fraud, no one to talk to!, posted by PhoenixGirl on July 13, 2004, at 17:42:23
I'm sorry this happened to you. It's especially frightening when you don't know exactly how they pulled it off. It sounds like the credit card company did well by you in catching it.
My experience with credit card fraud was when someone somehow got hold of the number and purchased....get this....expensive sunglasses and a subscription to an internet adult entertainment business! And then they stopped at that! Go figure. Scary yes, but I have to admit I was also amused.
I found it when I saw an unfamiliar charge on my statement and called the number on the item listing. I asked what kind of business they were, was amazed, and the porno people promptly credited my account. Then I called the credit card company to get a new card.
This is the end of the thread.
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