More Fraud

My bank debit card was compromised over the weekend somehow between 7/15 and 7/16.
Within 24 hours, 8 online transactions of $25 each were “approved” on my card. The Visa Fraud Prevention bureau called me yesterday afternoon and told me what was going on. A couple of hours earlier they put a “watch” on my account, and by mid-afternoon they had cancelled my bank card completely. The transactions were for three companies: Yahoo Wallet, Yahoo Voice, and Moneybookers (which is a company billing out of London). I’ve never heard of these before, so it was really easy to confirm that I didn’t make these charges.

The lady on the phone was sympathetic, took me at my word, told me what to do, and apologized for the inconvenience. This morning, I called my bank and in less than 5 minutes was reassured that none of those charges will hit my account, was issued a new bank card that will arrive in 3-5 business days, and I “pre-PINned” my new card over the phone.

This is such an unbelievably far cry from my last horrific identity theft experience of 1994-1995, I’m practically giddy. During those 10 months I argued, demanded, pleaded, and swore to heaven and back that the charges weren’t mine, they were fraud. I signed and had notorized countless affidavits. I wrote hundreds of letters. I made hundreds of calls. I was repeatedly accused of lying. The total bill: $70,000.00. I never had to pay for any of it in the end.

I guess the business world is a lot more savvy now. I’m happy that the problem all seems to be wrapped up before it really even got going.

Nevertheless, I’ll be watching my bank account like a hawk for the next week or so.

2 Responses to “More Fraud”

  • flonkbob
    July 17, 2006 at 1:56 pm

    Wow, good catch on their part. I’m impressed. They are getting better, but sadly that’s because the crime is so much more widespread.

    Reply

  • terragjax
    July 18, 2006 at 7:58 pm

    Glad they caught it for you so quick. Seems a scary new trend though. That’s the third card compromised in the last week, including mine.

    Same kind of charges for me and same basic results when I talked with the bank.

    Reply

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  • About Sara

    Thanks for visiting! I’m Sara, editor and writer, wife to Ian, and mother of two precious boys. I am living each day to the fullest and with as much grace, creativity, and patience as I can muster. This is where I write about living, loving, and engaging fully in family life and the world around me. I let my hair down here. I learn new skills here. I strive to be a better human being here. And I tell the truth.

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