Credit card theft
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free skin care · Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:12 pm

QUOTE from lunarm:
"This info is thanks to Scali and helps protect against having your credit card info stolen. You have to have a PayPal account:

Quote:
For safer online shopping, PayPal has a plug-in. It's installed on your browser (you have to login to use it, each time) but it can generate a card number for you for single or multi-use with the MasterCard logo.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_vdc-hub"

I thought I would re-post this helpful info, since they are still at it.

Has anyone else used this plug-in and does it seem to be a safe way to thwart thieves?

My Visa company called to inform me that from somewhere in Moscow - yes Russia - my account had been charged a tidy sum.

In the news today a Russian hacker is going after bank accounts that allow online transfers, among other things.
Also, thieves can plant an undetectable device on ATMs and self-service gas station credit card scanners to steal CC info.

As if we needed something else to watch out for. You just can't let your guard down for a minute.

Any other helpful info for us?

free skin care · Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:05 am

fawnie i had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago...........my visa company also called me to tell me someone tried to use my card somewhere in sweden!!! and im in NZ. they made many attempts but dint have my 3 security numbers Shock

my credit card company cancelled the card and i been issued a new one.

i just have to wonder how they got hold of my number anyway..........i dont buy from many sites only....only EDS and ebay in that particular month

free skin care · Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:20 am

simran wrote:

i just have to wonder how they got hold of my number anyway..........i dont buy from many sites only....only EDS and ebay in that particular month

Even though you may be careful about destroying your own personal receipts, doesn't mean that all stores you purchase from put the same effort into destroying receipts. I would assume there are also credit card number "guessing" machines that theives are using (since you mentioned they didn't have the security numbers on the back of your card, and many online/in person merchants require this number).

free skin care · Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:36 am

I've used the Paypal plug in a few times and it works great.

free skin care · Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:52 am

A news item today in USA Today lists stores that have had their customers' CC and debit card info compromised:

TJMaxx (again)
Marshall's (or any of the TJX holdings)
Barnes & Noble
Office Max
Boston Market
Sports Authority
Forever 21
DSW
Dave & Buster's
BJ's Wholesale Club

A slimeball from Miami has been charged with hacking, along with others from Ukraine, China, Belaris and Estonia. But you know, it's an epidemic and there's lots more out there who haven't been caught.

free skin care · Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:31 pm

When my credit card number was stolen, I was told that one of the popular ways for it to happen is at restaurants. We all know to guard our credit cards with our lives but then we don't hesitate to hand it over at a restaurant where the waiter/waitress then takes it out of our sight for 5-10 minutes!! Honestly, I had never even given that a thought.

free skin care · Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:06 pm

alice~in~wonderland wrote:

simran wrote:

i just have to wonder how they got hold of my number anyway..........i dont buy from many sites only....only EDS and ebay in that particular month

Even though you may be careful about destroying your own personal receipts, doesn't mean that all stores you purchase from put the same effort into destroying receipts. I would assume there are also credit card number "guessing" machines that theives are using (since you mentioned they didn't have the security numbers on the back of your card, and many online/in person merchants require this number).

i understand that numbers can be stolen when shopping...........but for this particular occasion it wasnt locally..............because my credit card company told me someone was using my card in Sweden not New Zealand. So definatly the number was stolen online in that particular month.

free skin care · Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:47 pm

brenpatsa wrote:

When my credit card number was stolen, I was told that one of the popular ways for it to happen is at restaurants. We all know to guard our credit cards with our lives but then we don't hesitate to hand it over at a restaurant where the waiter/waitress then takes it out of our sight for 5-10 minutes!! Honestly, I had never even given that a thought.

Yeah isn't that sneaky? I've heard this too and still hand it over....what's the alternative? Cash? Check? It's sooooo easy just to whip out the plastic, that we are lulled to a false sense of security. Whenever possible I pay at the desk where I can keep my eye on who is doing what. But still, anyone can make copies...

So how do you handle the restaurant situation?

free skin care · Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:32 pm

fawnie wrote:

brenpatsa wrote:

When my credit card number was stolen, I was told that one of the popular ways for it to happen is at restaurants. We all know to guard our credit cards with our lives but then we don't hesitate to hand it over at a restaurant where the waiter/waitress then takes it out of our sight for 5-10 minutes!! Honestly, I had never even given that a thought.

Yeah isn't that sneaky? I've heard this too and still hand it over....what's the alternative? Cash? Check? It's sooooo easy just to whip out the plastic, that we are lulled to a false sense of security. Whenever possible I pay at the desk where I can keep my eye on who is doing what. But still, anyone can make copies...

So how do you handle the restaurant situation?

I don't.

I still do exactly the same as you do because I don't see an alternative, at least at some restaurants. The police officer (who specialized in fraud) that told me about this said that some employee/thieves have their own tiny, scanner "gadget" that they quickly and subtly use to record your card's info.

free skin care · Thu Aug 07, 2008 2:15 pm

Yes, Mary, I heard about that little scanner too. I'd thrash them to pieces if I caught them at it.

It's so Luddite to write a check, and I know it slows things down, but I think I will be doing it more now after this last scare. Although to WAMU's credit, they notified me immediately this week that something was fishy. They also put a hold on my CC once when I tried to use it in Vegas - I had to call them and let them know it really WAS me out there spending like a drunken sailor!! Reassuring, but I don't depend on it. I still go over my receipts with my statement every month.

Keep me posted please if you know of any other scams I should be aware of!

free skin care · Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:59 am

simran wrote:

alice~in~wonderland wrote:

simran wrote:

i just have to wonder how they got hold of my number anyway..........i dont buy from many sites only....only EDS and ebay in that particular month

Even though you may be careful about destroying your own personal receipts, doesn't mean that all stores you purchase from put the same effort into destroying receipts. I would assume there are also credit card number "guessing" machines that theives are using (since you mentioned they didn't have the security numbers on the back of your card, and many online/in person merchants require this number).

i understand that numbers can be stolen when shopping...........but for this particular occasion it wasnt locally..............because my credit card company told me someone was using my card in Sweden not New Zealand. So definatly the number was stolen online in that particular month.

My credit card was being used to book italian rail tickets and I'm in Australia!
I worked out it was the Roses Only site. Abit of a worry as you only used ebay and EDS. Any luck finding out who? where?

free skin care · Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:01 pm

Isn't it something!
Most cards have a Fraud Protection Department, and if you let them know of any unauthorized charges, they should be able to help. WAMU has been on the ball with mine. They are the ones who notified me this time about the Moscow charges (I'm in USA). But still it pays to go over your charges with a fine-toothed comb each month.
I sure do.

free skin care · Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:02 pm

I love the Paypal Plug in, and have started using it at any new websites, and especially international pharmacies.

I am also going to look at getting a Citi credit card because they will also generate random one-time credit card numbers for you.

free skin care · Wed Aug 13, 2008 7:43 pm

There are a couple of things you can do. Use credit cards and not your debit card, that way the credit card company will take the loss if you find the charge in time.

Next when you recieve your receipt make sure your card number is not on the copy you give back to the merchant, and if it is, scribble out the middle 4-5 numbers.

Make sure you review your credit card statement monthly for charges you did not make. I always find something, freak out, and then figure out it was me charging something afterall. lol The reason you need to review your statements is that some credit card companies will not re-imburse you on charges 250.00 or less unless you report it within 60 days. Amex is one of those companies.

I'm not comfortable using my checkbook anymore, since I see on a regular basis, criminal are using the checking accts electronically to pay for stuff.

Oh, I work in the fraud dept for a wireless phone company, so I see some pretty sad stuff.

free skin care · Thu Aug 14, 2008 12:44 pm

I’m not convinced that online shopping is any riskier than other forms of card use. Every time you use your card anywhere you are giving your card info out. Which is one reason I always grovel to waiters, bar tenders, shop assistants and all service staff. I like to imagine they’ll only “borrow” the card info of customers who are rude ...or don’t tip

But it’s not always the staff’s fault and it doesn’t happen just in those suspect/dodgy places or websites. I heard through what I consider a reliable source of a 5 star hotel where staff had been “persuaded” by the kind of people you don’t want to argue with into providing credit card details of customers.. ie they were paid to provide a certain number of card details on a monthly basis.

You could say the staff involved had a choice, but if I was a hotel employee on base grade pay and had to choose between bending the law a little and receiving a few extra bucks or having my mother beaten up, well ...

Unfortunately, credit card fraud is a big earner for organised crime.

free skin care · Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:38 pm

bethany - thanks, I will look into the Citi card. I have a Mac, so the PayPal plug-in won't work, they say. Drat

zyggy - haha I got a laugh out of your signature..".....they get nervous and give the wrong answers". And thanks for the great tips from the "horse's mouth".....sorry, couldn't resist, with your animal theme...I appreciate your insights.

appletini - boy! that's an eye-opener for me about the organized crime leaning on staff at the 5-star hotel. Altho I don't know why I'm so shocked. We really have to be savvy anymore, and the more info we have the better armed we are.

thanks so much for posting!

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