Credit Card Early Warning Fraud Calls uptick???

ultrarunner · Jun 22, 2015

I posted before about an increase in Credit Card early warning calls...

Since then I have been twice a victim...

My cards are always on my person... never out of my sight and zero chance of anyone getting any info at home and I shred important papers instead of tossing in the trash.

Today I got a call that I just made a very large purchase at an Apple store in Asia...

Never been to Asia and the last apple product I bought was an Apple// computer 35 years ago...

Anyway... guess it's just another sign of the times.

A few years back... Mom was visiting family in Europe... she only has one credit card and Fraud Alert froze her account because she had made a charge in Germany... and she told them she was going to Germany... anyway... she had to borrow money from family because her card was no longer good.

I guess the credit card companies have to be on their toes to keep one step ahead of the crooks....

dave1949 · Jun 22, 2015

The whole online banking, credit, business and government security thing is out of control. We need some fundamental changes in the system somehow.

ultrarunner · Jun 23, 2015

I've resisted going to online banking except for a small account at a single institution... just sleep better...

Not credit card related but worth mentioning...

My retired WWII Navy Commander friend lost most of his life savings through a telephone scam at the retirement home where he lives...

Someone called asking for a donation for wounded service men and women... he said OK and then they asked for his Bank Checking number and with this was able to clear out his checking account which is where he kept all his cash... he was 86 at the time and not that sharp anymore...

There was a thing they could do as the money went offshore...

Jstpssng · Jun 23, 2015

Your card can be scanned while it's in your wallet;

Hacker's Demo Shows How Easily Credit Cards Can Be Read Through Clothes And Wallets - Forbes

I don't know if this applies in your case.

rgr33 · Jun 23, 2015

Took a 2 week vacation last year in Domican Republic. I took only my Amex card for in case my wallet was lost or stolen, called the card company in advance to let them know we would be out of country. Paid for our tickets and resort with the Amex card. Got to DR and card was shut down on day one. Many, many calls provided absolute guarantees that Amex card now good, but never did get it accepted while we were there.
Luckily, the other couple we were with had a different card. I ended up owing them a small fortune, as everything we bought went on their card.
Thanks American Express! I use that card quite a lot for my business, and never had any problems before or after.

HCJtractor · Jun 23, 2015

I've changed my card usage from American Express to capital one. Been very happy with their service. Their Venture card gives two for one bonus miles, and are super easy to use for travel redemption, with no block outs. The cards with chip technology are the latest improvement. Just used it in Europe without any problems.

aczlan · Jun 23, 2015

I have a boss who is on their 4th card since November. The number apparently keeps getting used.

Aaron Z

ultrarunner · Jun 23, 2015

The card in questions is AmEx...

Just had another attempted apple purchase... this time in Australia.

My Grandmother never had a credit card... she did have individual store charge accounts.

Still remember every shopping day starting at the Bank and ending at the Bank...

Soundguy · Jun 23, 2015

Yup. The wife and I use predominantly, only one 'brand' of credit card. That company must monitor pretty close as they will call you if anything out of the ordinary pops up. the catch is, you have to call their fraud department from your HOME phone to fix the issue. I used to travel to the east cost to take the wife to see her mother, never failed, as soon as a few purchases came in out of our area, and poof, credit card cut off, must call from home phone...... hard to do on the road.

ultrarunner said:
I posted before about an increase in Credit Card early warning calls...

Since then I have been twice a victim...

My cards are always on my person... never out of my sight and zero chance of anyone getting any info at home and I shred important papers instead of tossing in the trash.

Today I got a call that I just made a very large purchase at an Apple store in Asia...

Never been to Asia and the last apple product I bought was an Apple// computer 35 years ago...

Anyway... guess it's just another sign of the times.

A few years back... Mom was visiting family in Europe... she only has one credit card and Fraud Alert froze her account because she had made a charge in Germany... and she told them she was going to Germany... anyway... she had to borrow money from family because her card was no longer good.

I guess the credit card companies have to be on their toes to keep one step ahead of the crooks....