£600 stolen from me - and spent on iTunes?

patwa_2

Hello.

I'm on holiday abroad at the moment, but that doesn't stop me being vigilant with checking my finances. I had originally just intended to check to see whether or not a cheque had cleared on my Nationwide Flex account, but my eyes strayed over to the right side of the online banking screen and I saw - outstanding credit card balance £708. WHAT? It was £100 or so just a few days ago and I haven't used it since then.

Looked at the statement, 30 May, 6 transactions all for £100 each, iTUNES MUSIC, LONDON. What on earth? I don't even have an iTunes account, can't stand them, and don't even get me started on the whole DRM music rights issue.

Phoned up Nationwide, card stopped, investigation will be carried out, don't worry sir a new card will be sent.

I've seen it happen to others, but never thought it'd happen to me. I have only ever used my card online and also over the phone, but over the phone it's just been with a reputable local taxi company that I've used since September. I've never used it in shops, don't even know my PIN so...

Oh well, I'm gutted. Ok so it's not the only card I have to use but still. It's like a part of me was attacked, a good friend tarnished. I'm all paranoid now, going to check every card I have even my balance transfer cards even though only the bank have any payments going from them and that only once a month.

Sorry for this pointless post, just needed to put it in print. I'm off to sleep now, was going to go out sightseeing but maybe just curling up with my female friend for a few hours would be better.

H.

steve6375

This probably comes from phishing. You may have clicked on a link in an email (e.g. a seemingly reputable 'special offer' which looked attractive to you) and put in your credit card details. Try to remember when you last used your credit card online.
Never click on a link in an email (or at least don't give any personal info if you do). I speak from bitter experience!

patwa_2

that's the strange thing, I havne't used my card online since February and that payment was refunded (monitor purchase from EuroPC). I also had a Paypal subscription to an arbitrage service, that was cancelled and paypal in fact blocked the card.

All other transactions have been by phone, my local taxi company which I've been using since September (I prebook and prepay my journeys, about £200 a week) but that's stopped now I'm on holiday. Another phone payment to Advancetec, they've used the card before and would not gain anything by scamming me. O2, and a regular payment to my voip company and hosting firm. That's it.

I have not used that card for any e-mail deals, as I always go to the main site itself and don't use e-mail links. The only other possibility which is not that far fetched is that someone remembered my details after hearing me on the phone. I've booked taxis at Uni on campus and elsewhere, and naturally I have to pay before they send the cab. And whereas I'm not in the habit of yelling my card details to the whole city or going around with them sewn on the back of my t-shirt, someone could have overheard?

Strange. Nationwide reckoned they tested the card with one £100 iTunes purchase, then made 5 more £100 purchases. Oh well, I just hope whoever they are they get banned by their ISP for excess downloading. I mean we're talking more than 750 tracks or 4GB of music! Oh well, someone somewhere is walking round with an iPod filled with tracks at my expense.

H.