Help - Victim of Credit Card Fraud

Cara_S_2

Hi there, this is my first post although I frequently browse the forums.

I was sickened this morning to open my credit card statement to find a transaction of £200 which I did not recognise (in fact I was on holiday on Tenerife at the time of the transaction, with my card safely at home - where my sister in law was staying to look after the place for us).

I called up the bank card services number and was put through to security. He informed me that the transaction was coming up as betting, including lottery tickets, and that there has been a further transaction to Apple I-tunes. I confirmed I did not recognise these, and he said he would cancel my card, send out a declaration for me to sign, and issue a new card. He said I would not incur any charges. He made it sound as if it would be simple but I am wary - if it's so easy then do people not abuse the system?!

Anyway I am very worried now about my security and reading horrors of ID theft etc. I only have the one credit card which is always used for internet purchases (maybe about once a month and what I thought are reputable sites) - I thought it would be safer!! I can't remember the last time I would have used it in a shop. Which makes me thinks the details were stolen from some means other than skimming since I never use it in a shop or hand it over to anyone else. I shred statements and receipts, and I safeguard my card and PIN.

What more can I do?? How did they get my details?? Probably sounds pathetic but I feel violated. Am I at risk from further fraud now? I have already checked my current account online.

Many thanks for any advice/thoughts.

knowledgeman

Dont worry at all

Its a "bin hit" which is a wide scale compromise of card numbers

The person wont or will be unlikely to know anything beyond your card number

Just comply with the banks procedures to get the money back and act as you normally would with the card and security information ( assuming thats the proper way)

It can feel violating but you really shouldnt worry

Theres been a lot of fraud to these companies recently and they wont know anything at all about you so really dont worry

As for how they got the details their are so many ways but the patter with itunes being used as a test each time suggests its someone who has a sequence sitting trying to find workable numbers

Cara_S_2

Thanks Knowledgeman for your reassuring reply.

'pattern with itunes being used as a test each time' - I take it you are connected to the industry and it sounds like you are suggesting this a common scam going on at the moment? Perhaps thats why my Bank were so instantly believing?

I must admit that it is somehow more reassuring to think that the likelihood is that someone has just 'hit' on my number by accident, rather than this person holding all my details. It does make me wonder however how they could use just my number without having the corresponding name/address/security code etc that are commonly asked for when using the card online/phone.

Thanks again for your reply.

knowledgeman

Cara_S wrote: »

Thanks Knowledgeman for your reassuring reply.

'pattern with itunes being used as a test each time' - I take it you are connected to the industry and it sounds like you are suggesting this a common scam going on at the moment? Perhaps thats why my Bank were so instantly believing?

I must admit that it is somehow more reassuring to think that the likelihood is that someone has just 'hit' on my number by accident, rather than this person holding all my details. It does make me wonder however how they could use just my number without having the corresponding name/address/security code etc that are commonly asked for when using the card online/phone.

Thanks again for your reply.

Correct
Itunes has been a common factor in a lot of frauds recently

It doesnt normally hit the account and it would appear to be someone testing card details

They then normally try a large one and get it declined due to knowing so little although there has been the occasional ones that slip through

Cara_S_2

Interesting and shocking stuff. Seems like my Bank were not very pro-active in identifying an unusual transaction, although in the grand scheme of things I do realise it is a relatively small amount.

Hopefully it will soon be sorted out and, fingers crossed, I may not have to deal with the same again.

Edit: Forgot to add, I am pretty sure the guy at the Bank said the Itunes transaction was immediately prior to the £200 transaction, but wasn't showing up on my statement - this seems to tie in with what you just said about it not normally hitting the account.

Thanks :beer:

Louise1521

I had a call from Capital One yesterday asking if I'd used my card recently, I said I hadn't, then he asked if I'd used it that day. I said definately not. Turns out somebody had tried to use my card, but luckily the transaction was declined (sounds like Cap one were on the ball). I haven't used the card for nearly a year, and it is frightening to think that somebody is out there trying to scam you.

cexb

Hi,

I am glad to have found this thread. I opened up my credit card statement today (Amazon credit card, so officially Halifax card services). Apparently someone (with little taste!) used my credit card on the vivienne westwood web site to buy £295 worth of 'mens and womens clothing' (thats what I was told they had bought when I rang the credit card company to ask what the transaction was for cause I sure as hell hadn't bought anything for that amount!)

I'm currently awaiting paperwork to complete and return, but they couldn't confirm whether I would, or wouldn't, be expected to pay for this £295. I cancelled the card immediately, but can't believe someone got my details. I shred everything and although use my credit card to buy petrol (so that I can keep track of how much petrol I buy each month), I have only used reputable online stores (amazon and although ebay, its been through secure paypal).

I'm terrified they are going to try and make me pay. I'm only hoping that because it was spent online (and therefore whoever used it didn't know my pin number) they won't try and tell me I gave it to someone to use!

Arrgghh!!!! Should I get a new pin number to? (I was told the card number would be different but I'd have the same pin). What are peoples experience with Amazon's credit card services?

Vivienne Westwood for heavens sake .. My biggest purchases this month have been a new tyre for my car and a vacuum cleaner. :mad:

/additional info: I forgot to add - apparently the same person tried to spend another £565 on the same site - but for some reason the next day this was credited back. Thankfully!! Me thinks I should ask for a much lower limit as I'll never come close to the £2850 that it currently stands at.

RTNI

cexb wrote: »

I'm terrified they are going to try and make me pay. I'm only hoping that because it was spent online (and therefore whoever used it didn't know my pin number) they won't try and tell me I gave it to someone to use!

Arrgghh!!!! Should I get a new pin number to? (I was told the card number would be different but I'd have the same pin). What are peoples experience with Amazon's credit card services?

If you cancelled the card, you will get a new PIN (which you can change back to your original one of you want.)

If the transaction was web based, then you should get your money back, which is looking good as you have forms in the post to you.

All in all, try not to worry about it!

RT.

cexb

Thanks RT!

I felt sick when I first saw it. Having seen a tv programme about customers being treated like fraudsters when their card numbers were used in shops I knew I'd be in a better position due to it being used online, but even so - panic!!

I just can't think how anyone got the number. I shred everything and keep bills for at least a year before I shred them so they don't get chucked out only to be found in a rubbish bin.

Will try and be even more cautious in future! Thanks again!

James

Here are extracts from the Banking Code.

10.2 If you do not recognise a card transaction which appears on your statement, we will give you more details if you ask us. In some cases, we will need you to give us confirmation or evidence that you have not authorised a transaction.

12.12 Unless we can show that you have acted fraudulently or without reasonable care, your liability for the misuse of your card will be limited as follows:

If someone else uses your card, before you tell us it has been lost or stolen or that someone else knows your PIN, the most you will have to pay is £50.

OR

If you card details were used (card not physically presented to a retailer) then:

12.12 (continued)

If someone else uses your card details withou your permission, and your card has not been lost or stolen, you will not have to pay anything.

cexb is right about the TV Programme further backed up by postings on this site which really counters what is claimed in the Banking Code re PIN misuse.

Here are some tips readers may consider.

To deter someone using your personal information to apply for credit cards, loans, store cards etc. visit www.freeidprotection.co.uk It.s the only proactive deterrent on the market that applies to all lenders and banks.

To protect yourself from liability for PIN misuse consider using only 1 PIN - for your Debit Card and continue signing with your Credit Cards by applying for Chip & Signature Cards. (NO Pin = no chance of being accused of being negligent with your PIN).

There's a link on www.freeidprotection to Annual Credit Report where you can get one of your Credit Reports Free without the need to enter ANY card details. You never need to remember to cancel, you wont be billed.

Keep checking your statements.

cexb

Thanks James. I'm looking into that chip and signature now. Not entirely clear on how it works but if its more secure then I'm gonna be using it!!