Interesting account activity

[Blacklight]

For a while, I had this grocery store constantly calling me to discuss an account. When I got back to them, they said that my "wife" had written a bunch of checks there that had bounced and they were looking to collect. Well, as it turned out, I wasn't married to anyone nammed Juanita and as a matter of fact, I wasn't married at all !!! The woman used my last name, address and phone number on the checks. Luckily it wasn't linked to any of MY accounts. I assume she just pulled a random name and address out of the phone book to register the checking account. How she got this past the bank that gave her the checks, I'll never know.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by porphy

So, how do the banks know that I don't just send my card with someone else for some quick shopping or cash machine withdrawals out of country? Seems like they just pay you the lost money without any fuss. Had a friend that was skimmed, and the bank just did a refund on his account. I guess it's mostly peanuts to them compared to people loosing faith in credit cards.

sorry goldenrivet, I just had to go from Jonkoping to Gothenburg that day...

With my card issuer they now have a system where you ring a number and advise them the dates and location you will be if it's out of your normal work/travel area. This worked fine for me when I visited Texas last year.

Earlier this year my wife travelled to Ireland and forgot to ring the number in advance...she had one hell of a job using her card.

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

With my card issuer they now have a system where you ring a number and advise them the dates and location you will be if it's out of your normal work/travel area.

this is a great idea and i wish more would do it (perhaps i just dont know about such a number)

i also thought it would be a good idea to authorize only specific lists of businesses able to charge your card.

for example:

you have a list of 10 places like so:

1. Outback Steak Houses
2. WalMarts
3. Taco Bells
4. Ace Hardware Stores
5. Lowe's Stores
6. Home Depot Stores
7. Olive Garden Restaurants
8. Dentist (a specific one)
9. Doctor (a specific one)
10. Gas Stations (specific brands)

this way when someone shows up using your card at some Swedish Bus Line you have never heard of - and is most certainly not on your list... the card automatically declines. if you had to add a business to the list it would authorize it if you dialed a phone number or went to a web site and added the busienss.

also thought that perhaps any ATM transactions outside of specified postal codes would automatically decline unless you call the number on the card and verify identity and add that postal code.

[August]

Originally Posted by SteamWake

Someone was making counterfit cards, complete with magnetic strips, and just 'testing' them at random before they went for the big money.

Maybe not. Big money draws attention. There are a fair number of people who wouldn't notice such small transactions allowing the card to be used again and again.

[TarJak]

My mob rings me if they see anything that looks out of the ordinary. Had something bought in Shanghai whilst I was sitting at home in Oz. Got a call a couple of days later and they asked if it was legit then removed it as it clearly wasn't.

Problem is they pick up on some of my internet purchases that are transacted overseas as well. At least they are watching.

[Spike88]

I haven't had anyone use my card yet. Although my parents once had someone pay for a hotel bill in Tijuana, Mexico with their credit card. And someone just used my grandparent's about a month ago, which has caused them all sorts of problems, especially since they have automatic bill pay.

My whole issue with it, is I got charged 24 dollars, by blockbuster for a movie I had already returned a week beforehand. I talk to them, and they say they're going to refund my 24 dollars, and that it should be through in the next 2-3 days, and they already refunded 1.25 to my account for the restocking fee. My issue is my bank wont refund the 34 dollars they charged me for overdrafting. Because they used my 1 free waiver in June, to waive a fee they should of never charged in the first place.
As soon as I get the 24 dollars from block buster, I'm closing the account.

[Stealth Hunter]

Luckily, I've never had any problems with credit cards. Best wishes to you, though. I'm sure you'll get this mess sorted out with no trouble. Most of it comes down to the card company anyway.

[GoldenRivet]

so far its been handled top notch by our bank.

im glad we pay $5 per month for the fraud protection plan!