Costa Coffee Club card

joeypesci

So, I know these are a rip off and the paper system was much better. However, lets ignore that.

I don't use mine much but have been whenever I go into the store in my area. I claim the points for a free drink once reached. I never really login to the website as I know they just use it for tracking. However, I logged on a few months ago and noticed odd usage of my card. In stores I've never been in. The only way to contact Costa, stupidly, is via Twitter. So I've done that. Forgot about it for a week or two and then checked and they'd replied. I checked again and the card is still being used. I notice the card that is registered on my online account match the first 6 digits of my card in my hand, and that's it. The other numbers don't match.

I originally suggested to Costa someone in the original store I was visited must of skimmed the cards to use elsewhere. They are only simple mag strips and it's easily done. However, now I'm wondering if there is just a flaw in Costa's system in that they've registered a card to me, that isn't mine. However, it seems a massive coincidence that the card being used, is sometimes being used in the store I originally got one from.

Anyone else got these cards and noticed odd card activity on their account?

Fosterdog

I don’t use mine very often but just logged in and there is no unusual activity at all. I should thank you really because the last time mine was used was almost a year ago and it’s due to become inactive in three weeks meaning I’d lose the points already saved. I have enough on there for a free drink and maybe a toastie so now have an excuse to go to the local retail park.

Is it possible with yours you’ve linked it to the app on an old phone and since sold/given away the phone without wiping it giving the new owner access to your card details? Or maybe logged in on a friend’s phone one time to get the points and they just never logged out?

Also is it only being used to spend points or is it being used to accumulate more?

Greta_Sharbo

Had cards for many years and never noticed anything like this.
Be interested to know the outcome if they do anything though - keep us posted.

joeypesci

Fosterdog wrote: »

I don’t use mine very often but just logged in and there is no unusual activity at all. I should thank you really because the last time mine was used was almost a year ago and it’s due to become inactive in three weeks meaning I’d lose the points already saved. I have enough on there for a free drink and maybe a toastie so now have an excuse to go to the local retail park.

Is it possible with yours you’ve linked it to the app on an old phone and since sold/given away the phone without wiping it giving the new owner access to your card details? Or maybe logged in on a friend’s phone one time to get the points and they just never logged out?

Also is it only being used to spend points or is it being used to accumulate more?

Never linked it to an app. I'm an IT engineer but oddly don't like using some apps, this is one of them. Never sold a phone on and if I do I'd encrypt them then wipe them so no one could restore data.

They are collecting points and using them. Still find it a big coincidence that the first 6 numbers are same as mine but rest are different and that it's being used in the store I used to go in. Wouldn't be difficult for someone working on the tills to skim the cards as they are basic mag strips. Will see what Costa say.

Fosterdog

It seems a bit OTT to think it’s staff doing it, they get huge discounts in other branches and if their shift is over a certain length they get free food and drink in their own branch.

It’s more likely that there was a mixup when you first signed up and somehow your card has been registered to someone else and someone else is using the one registered to you. That would be the only sensible answer if the card numbers are different.

joeypesci

I gave up in the end. They weren't much help on Twitter but they eventually replied to the e-mail sent from their website form. They said sorry for the issue and they've now cancelled the card on my account. If I'd like to go to my account and remove it, I'll be able to add a new card.

Obviously the person that ended wasn't aware the ability to remove the card from the account on the site is no longer working.

Given up and just not using it anymore of visiting Costa. They've not even offered to give any of the points back that were taken.