A warning to anyone who has a credit card . . . .

[arc14716]

Be sure to check your balances and transactions on your credit card at least once a week, or else you're going to have quite a shock when you get your bill.

Long story short, I've had some tranactions get posted to my credit card that I never authroized. I found this out when I checked my balance over the phone this past Sunday. I had over $500 worth of charges go through from websites that I never heard of (one is from a Dutch DJ website). I disputed the charges, but just today, found out THREE MORE CHARGES have gone through on my credit card. I got with my bank and disputed those as well, plus put a block on my credit card so that no more transactions can go through.

Now, all I have to do, is wait for a new credit card to come in from the bank. Also, I have to fill out some forms they're sending me disputing those charges, after which, the bank is going to investigate those charges and dispute them on my behalf with those companies, who now have to come up with proof saying I authorized those charges, which I never did.

I hope after all is said and done, I don't have to pay for any of this stuff.

So, word of advice, check your credit card balances at least once a week. You never know what might be on your bill the next time you get it in the mail.

Any thoughts?

[arc14716]

Be sure to check your balances and transactions on your credit card at least once a week, or else you're going to have quite a shock when you get your bill.

Long story short, I've had some tranactions get posted to my credit card that I never authroized. I found this out when I checked my balance over the phone this past Sunday. I had over $500 worth of charges go through from websites that I never heard of (one is from a Dutch DJ website). I disputed the charges, but just today, found out THREE MORE CHARGES have gone through on my credit card. I got with my bank and disputed those as well, plus put a block on my credit card so that no more transactions can go through.

Now, all I have to do, is wait for a new credit card to come in from the bank. Also, I have to fill out some forms they're sending me disputing those charges, after which, the bank is going to investigate those charges and dispute them on my behalf with those companies, who now have to come up with proof saying I authorized those charges, which I never did.

I hope after all is said and done, I don't have to pay for any of this stuff.

So, word of advice, check your credit card balances at least once a week. You never know what might be on your bill the next time you get it in the mail.

Any thoughts?

[Brimtown]

That really sucks. I had something like that happen to me a couple of years ago. Someone got ahold of my debit card #, and was racking up several hundred dollars of purchases. Luckily, I caught it within the first week, and was able to put a stop to it. It took several weeks, but I was able to get all my money back - plus all the overdraft charges I had been socked with. It was quite obvious the charges weren't mine, since some of them were coming from the former Soviet republics.

But yeah, definitely keep track of your bank info, check up on it regularly. Another good way to limit your risks is to try not to let your credit card out of your sight. For example, when dining out, once the waiter has your card, you have no idea what could be happening with it.

[Magiz]

I'm really sorry to hear about that Arc. This kind of thing has been going on for many years and has hurt a lot of people. With any luck, this will be the end of the issue for you. With any luck, people will become more aware of their balances and transactions.

[Anim8rJB]

yeah man, I'm pretty OCD with checking my balances.

[PacNW_CE]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Anim8rJB:
yeah man, I'm pretty OCD with checking my balances. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

...and the lock to the front door.....

[UkyoTachibana]

My thoughts: You've most likely been a victim of identity theft.

A good friend of mine has had a similar problem a month ago. I'm not exactly sure of the steps she took to handle the situation, but I'd mention this possibility to the bank you're going to, if I were you.

[Calistah]

Darn, PAC beat me to it. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[arc14716]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by UkyoTachibana:
My thoughts: You've most likely been a victim of identity theft.

A good friend of mine has had a similar problem a month ago. I'm not exactly sure of the steps she took to handle the situation, but I'd mention this possibility to the bank you're going to, if I were you. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the heads up.

This site (http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/) had some good tips. I'm going to order a copy of my credit report tomorrow.

[Magiz]

Indeed.

Identity theft is quite the problem. I remember seeing a big report about it on the news, a while back. They mentioned how to avoid having it happen to you and what to be aware of. It also contained things like the website, you've posted.

[Loganissocool]

I didnt read any reponses so I dont know if that was said. If you are in the states you dont have to pay for those charges. Most of the time you are only responsible for 10 dollars. If you are truly not at fault then you should be charged nothing. Although your credit will go down for a short period of time but not by much.

[MuttonChopYaz]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Magiz:
Identity theft is quite the problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's disgustingly easy to do, and offencers are rarely prosecuted. If they are prosecuted, the sentence is a joke.

The worst part about ID theft is that it will haunt the victim for the rest of their life.

Also, SHRED IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS KTHX! This includes credit card applications.

[arc14716]

Quick update--

I called one of the credit reporting bureaus and had a fraud alert placed on my credit report.

I also double checked with my bank and found another charge had been posted, which I have now put a dispute on. The credit account is already closed since yesterday, but any charges already authorized will still post.

And, yes, I live in the US, so I've been assured that I won't have to pay for any of these charges.

[zeeEVIL1]

I really limit what i do online with a credit card, or personal info for that matter. I do not believe in online banking and always recommend to my friends to avoid it. My wifes dad used to be ab executive at Bank of America, and he used to go on and on about how we needed to do all of our stuff online and we got into a disagrement over it. A week and a half later I was at his house with the newspapershowing how B.O.A. was just cracked for the info to over 750,000 customers. He no longer does online banking. That was a case of the young man giving the old man advice that works.