I treated some F*cker to McDonalds and Rite-aid.

[Bikeage]

Back in 2003, a month or so after making my first ever online purchase, a $250 charge from my local newspaper appeared on my debit card statement. I had no dealings with them before, and after talking to a few different departments found out that my account was used to pay for a classified ad.

They gave told me the information the ad contained, and I checked it a paper that week, it was a generic, scamlike come on that is in most papers "Exciting job opportunities available! Make $2000+ per week! Call 555-1234..."

The folks in the classified department were very helpful when I explained that I had not authorized the purchase, and after the hassle of a few trips to the bank and filing a police report, I was issued a new debit card and refunded $250.

And of course I called the number in the ad. After telling the first person who answered why I was calling, they quickly transferred me to their "supervisor", who put me on indefinite hold, and a few other attempts to call back yielded just a click followed by a dial tone. Still wonder at what point my information was compromised, and if I was the victim of a crime or my bank somehow screwed up.

[Luke]

This is in no way a judgement question, simply trying to make sure I don't get scammed:

In any way does anyone feel a tad responsible for having their card number stolen? Any random use of your card on the Internet from non credited sites? Any sites you would recommend staying away from, or is it pure coincidence?

I'm super curious as I don't know anyone who has had their card info stolen, but sure as hell a dozen or so people on this site have had issues with stolen info.

In short, any precautionary tips?

[stickem]

robbed of 1500 off my debt card 2 years ago. someone in atlanta using it. cop said these hackers have lists and lists of peoples card info and sell them to whoever. it could be your waiter taking your card back to pay your meal, something that simple. anyway, took a week to get my money back and numerous shit bouncing/unsufficient fund fees to clear up.

[AppleQueso]

This is in no way a judgement question, simply trying to make sure I don't get scammed:

In any way does anyone feel a tad responsible for having their card number stolen? Any random use of your card on the Internet from non credited sites? Any sites you would recommend staying away from, or is it pure coincidence?

I'm super curious as I don't know anyone who has had their card info stolen, but sure as hell a dozen or so people on this site have had issues with stolen info.

In short, any precautionary tips?

I have a feeling that it's just one of those things that even if you're very careful with your card info, it can still happen to you. Just always keep an eye on your account and notify the bank if anything suspicious ever pops up.

[skere26]

In 2008 my credit card number was stolen unbeknownst to me. There was a charge for $30s of gas in Pennsylvania...followed by a purchase at a dress shop for $9000...in Armenia.

and my credit card company never called me. I realized this when looking at my bill a month later and promptly called them. at one point they operator said

"and you're positive you weren't in eastern Europe last month?"

[Luke]

I have a feeling that it's just one of those things that even if you're very careful with your card info, it can still happen to you.

It's just weird that I'm in e-commerce for a major manufacturer, and I haven't had one card number stolen but here almost a dozen people have had numbers stolen/used fraudulently (not from this site of course).

A random generator is one thing, knowing the three digit security code, expiration date and billing address is something else. I'm perplexed how this info is stolen.

When I first started e-commerce for the parent company, it took about two weeks to get things rolling. I still haven't convinced the CFO to allow a credit card app for conventions as it is "too risky". So how is this info being captured?

[Hobie-wan]

I hadn't used either of my cards in a suspicious place that I could think of near the time they got swiped from me. Gas and grocery stores don't ask for the 3 digit code and only some places even ask for your zip code.

[Luke]

Gas and grocery stores don't ask for the 3 digit code and only some places even ask for your zip code.

That's Turrible.

[M3GAlodon]

My wife had something a little different happen to her. She had a check book stolen from her and some guy went around town passing bad checks, $1700 worth, and it was a huge pain in the ass. Multiple gas stations, a couple local Walgreens and a shoe store all got hit. Thats what they get for not checking id(not to mention the checks were in her name only).

we weren't responsible for any charges, but had to file police reports, multiple trips to the bank to fill out affidavits, and send certified letters to all the businesses that got scammed. Wallgreens was the worst, as we had to send the same affidavits to them 4 fucking times before they stopped harrassing us. We got on a first name basis with our banks branch manager(thanks graham)

They finally caught the guy over a year later. He was pulled over for some unrelated offence, car got searched and they found some of my wifes blank checks, along with some other peoples checks. He was a local postal worker who was opening peoples checks and taking a book out, then resealing the boxes.

[Forlorn Drifter]

How to fix this problem? Don't use a credit card. Happy ending.