topic Re: Credit card fraud in Credit Cards

Credit card fraud

red259 — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 22:15:00 GMT

I just discovered some credit card fraud on one of my amex accounts. Someone setup a recurring netflix membership on my card about six months ago. I hadn't really noticed it before because I have a netflix membership and was paying it with a different amex credit card (on a different billing date) that sees very heavy use , so when I quickly scanned my amex card bill and saw a netflix charge it didn't jump out at me. However, when the freedom bonus category came up for streaming services I switched my netflix payment plan over. While reviewing my amex bill today I saw I just got hit with another netflix charge. I was certain I had changed the netflix account over to visa and I went and checked my chase account and sure enough I was paying the monthly fee there as well. Then I looked closer and saw the netflix charge was on a card that I would never have a reason to use for netflix. I contacted netflix and they confirmed that the visa card was linked to my account but that the amex card was being used by another account that appeared to be fradulent. Netflix banned that particular amex card from being used with netflix in the future and credited me back the most recent payment.

I then contacted amex and they reissued me a new card and opened a fraud investigation and are crediting me back the past six months of netflix fees. I have had netflix for over a year so its not like I would have reason to setup a new netflix account or anything. Upon searching the web apparently its very common for criminals to use stolen credit card info to open recurring subscription accounts like netflix, amazon, spotify etc, because the charges can blend in to a credit card statement, especially if the customer uses those services themselves. Just something people may want to be on the lookout for, but having the security of amex really paid off in this situation.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 23:16:41 GMT

Glad it was resolved quickly.

Re: Credit card fraud

red259 — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 23:17:23 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Glad it was resolved quickly.

Yes it was fairly painless.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 23:47:26 GMT

Seems a very low-reward risk for a thief with good credit card information. Even if they sold on the subscription it's not generating much cash for the risk. And some chanceof being tracked if they are not taking steps like using a VPN. Still, glad OP got it resolved.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00:52 GMT

I am guessing smaller charges are less likely to trigger fraud alert. Amex called me immediately when somebody tried to use my card at an Exxon for a 100 transaction.

I read somewhere most credit card numbers are stolen and are already somewhere on the internet. So its probably just a matter of time this will happen to everyone.

Re: Credit card fraud

JSS3 — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:04:11 GMT

I didn't know CCC would go back 6 months when crediting. I would've assumed they'd feel it was a lie(and harder to prove) since it went on so long.

I get the whole inconspicuous blending charge because it's reoccuring, but if I were a rep, I'd feel the card holder wanted the subscription for half a year for free suddenly alleging fraud. I'd also think the CCCs expect each account holder to be diligent by checking on their accounts.

I admittedly overthink thinks so would've talked myself out of calling for said reasons. Then I would've had to eat the charges.

Again, this is good to know.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 01:27:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

I read somewhere most credit card numbers are stolen and are already somewhere on the internet. So its probably just a matter of time this will happen to everyone.

I was hit in August, on a card that had never leaves my house. When they were through with everything I ended up with a $65 credit on the account. These guys sure didn't start small!

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 01:31:27 GMT

@JSS3 wrote:
I didn't know CCC would go back 6 months when crediting. I would've assumed they'd feel it was a lie(and harder to prove) since it went on so long.

I get the whole inconspicuous blending charge because it's reoccuring, but if I were a rep, I'd feel the card holder wanted the subscription for half a year for free suddenly alleging fraud. I'd also think the CCCs expect each account holder to be diligent by checking on their accounts.

I admittedly overthink thinks so would've talked myself out of calling for said reasons. Then I would've had to eat the charges.

Again, this is good to know.

One person hjaving another Netflix account, charged to a different card, makes little logical sense. Especially since you can go from two simultaneous logins to 4 for three dollars more, which you have to do for 4K anyway.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 01:33:39 GMT

I wonder if Lyft gave the user data behind all those rides to your CC company. That would be one boneheaded move to take it from their residence.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 03:20:49 GMT

I always have an alert on all my cards when any charge goes through. Even though it would look like a legitimate charge, if I got another one that I thought was too soon, I'd probably think I just paid that, and then look at the last charge. That would have raised a red flag.

It makes me think, and sometimes legitimate charges get my attention.

Was sitting at home, and got a diary queen charge on my disco. I thought, I didn't go to DQ recently, so I locked my card and looked at the charge. I did remember the amount, and then remembered that I went a week before, the charge took 7 days to post. Chatted with a CSR and yes it happens.

Makes me question charges, and will certainly draw attention to ones I didn't expect or expect that soon. I know to expect my cell phone bill not that often, 2 in one month would catch my attention.

Re: Credit card fraud

Traveler101 — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 03:42:57 GMT

I had a simular situation. When climbing into bed I received an alert from cap1. My purchase at redbox video was declined because my card was locked. They alert in real time. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE LOCK FEATURE. It will prob wind up on most cards at some point. You know at an INSTANT, and shut the card down. Some banks are now doing that on debit cards. It saves you the trouble. Not sure why more dont have it. It would save them tons of claims.

Re: Credit card fraud

CreditInspired — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 12:19:00 GMT

Thanks for sharing OP. Definitely something good to be aware of.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 12:30:08 GMT

It's so weird that they would risk burning a good card for a Netflix subscription. I would think that would be more likely to be done by someone I knew rather than a thief on the internet. It's just not a big enough payoff.

It's crazy how well it was handled though. Bravo for AMEX!

Credit card fraud is one of the things that worries me the most. I actually have been making virtual credit card numbers using Capital One's Eno tool when I order things online if PayPal or Amazon aren't an option for payment. My credit card only ever gets physically swiped at the grocery store and I have notifications turned on for every card I have that supports them. If someone wants to commit fraud with my accounts, I'm going to shut it down as quickly as I possibly can.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 12:43:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
It's so weird that they would risk burning a good card for a Netflix subscription. I would think that would be more likely to be done by someone I knew rather than a thief on the internet. It's just not a big enough payoff.

It's crazy how well it was handled though. Bravo for AMEX!

Credit card fraud is one of the things that worries me the most. I actually have been making virtual credit card numbers using Capital One's Eno tool when I order things online if PayPal or Amazon aren't an option for payment. My credit card only ever gets physically swiped at the grocery store and I have notifications turned on for every card I have that supports them. If someone wants to commit fraud with my accounts, I'm going to shut it down as quickly as I possibly can.

Green above might be happening more because of red above.

Cards get shut down so quickly now, that the best that some can do might be small sneaky monthly charges. Text alerts and account locks from the app is putting a lid on how much they can get and how quickly.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 16:55:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
It's so weird that they would risk burning a good card for a Netflix subscription. I would think that would be more likely to be done by someone I knew rather than a thief on the internet. It's just not a big enough payoff.

It's crazy how well it was handled though. Bravo for AMEX!

Credit card fraud is one of the things that worries me the most. I actually have been making virtual credit card numbers using Capital One's Eno tool when I order things online if PayPal or Amazon aren't an option for payment. My credit card only ever gets physically swiped at the grocery store and I have notifications turned on for every card I have that supports them. If someone wants to commit fraud with my accounts, I'm going to shut it down as quickly as I possibly can.
Green above might be happening more because of red above.

Cards get shut down so quickly now, that the best that some can do might be small sneaky monthly charges. Text alerts and account locks from the app is putting a lid on how much they can get and how quickly.

I wonder how widely alerts are used in the wider world though, among those not so excited by credit products. But still seems way too little reward for the risk. (What's that, I hear all those MyFicoers going on about "Free money" even if it's only $10. Must be one of them!)

Re: Credit card fraud

red259 — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 16:59:59 GMT

@JSS3 wrote:
I didn't know CCC would go back 6 months when crediting. I would've assumed they'd feel it was a lie(and harder to prove) since it went on so long.

I get the whole inconspicuous blending charge because it's reoccuring, but if I were a rep, I'd feel the card holder wanted the subscription for half a year for free suddenly alleging fraud. I'd also think the CCCs expect each account holder to be diligent by checking on their accounts.

I admittedly overthink thinks so would've talked myself out of calling for said reasons. Then I would've had to eat the charges.

Again, this is good to know.

Except when the card holder already has a netflix membership that they pay for with a different credit card and have had it for over a year.

Re: Credit card fraud

red259 — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 17:03:09 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

I read somewhere most credit card numbers are stolen and are already somewhere on the internet. So its probably just a matter of time this will happen to everyone.
I was hit in August, on a card that had never leaves my house. When they were through with everything I ended up with a $65 credit on the account. These guys sure didn't start small!

I had a chase card where someone did over 4k in a single charge while I was out of the country. I was furious with chase because I was using that same card in a foreign country to pay for hotel stays both before and after this specific charge in the US which occured in a state I didn't even live in.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 17:32:29 GMT

@red259 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:

I read somewhere most credit card numbers are stolen and are already somewhere on the internet. So its probably just a matter of time this will happen to everyone.
I was hit in August, on a card that had never leaves my house. When they were through with everything I ended up with a $65 credit on the account. These guys sure didn't start small!

I had a chase card where someone did over 4k in a single charge while I was out of the country. I was furious with chase because I was using that same card in a foreign country to pay for hotel stays both before and after this specific charge in the US which occured in a state I didn't even live in.

You were furious with Chase over fraud that they didn't commit themselves?

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 19:37:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@red259 wrote:
I had a chase card where someone did over 4k in a single charge while I was out of the country. I was furious with chase because I was using that same card in a foreign country to pay for hotel stays both before and after this specific charge in the US which occured in a state I didn't even live in.
You were furious with Chase over fraud that they didn't commit themselves?

He was furious that Chase didn't prevent it, with the data they had.

I always worry about fraud too, though I haven't had any actual occurrences in some time now (crossing fingers I don't jinx myself). All my cards have notifications turned on for the minimum allowed amount ($0.01 to $1 depending on issuer). Chase notifies immediately when a swipe occurs, which is great. If I were to get a notification when I haven't made a purchase, I can act on it right away (unless I'm sleeping or my phone is off).

BoA, on the other hand, doesn't notify me until 2-3 days later, which is annoying. Additionally, the text only shows the amount and the date, no other details. I had one this morning and I had to log in to remember what the charge was for. A fraudster could run the card up and move on long before I get a single text from them. My solution there, my BoA card has a $500 limit, so they won't get very far on a shopping spree. It's the only card I'll use in gas pumps as well for that reason.

Re: Credit card fraud

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Dec 2019 19:55:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@red259 wrote:
I had a chase card where someone did over 4k in a single charge while I was out of the country. I was furious with chase because I was using that same card in a foreign country to pay for hotel stays both before and after this specific charge in the US which occured in a state I didn't even live in.
You were furious with Chase over fraud that they didn't commit themselves?
He was furious that Chase didn't prevent it, with the data they had.

I always worry about fraud too, though I haven't had any actual occurrences in some time now (crossing fingers I don't jinx myself). All my cards have notifications turned on for the minimum allowed amount ($0.01 to $1 depending on issuer). Chase notifies immediately when a swipe occurs, which is great. If I were to get a notification when I haven't made a purchase, I can act on it right away (unless I'm sleeping or my phone is off).

BoA, on the other hand, doesn't notify me until 2-3 days later, which is annoying. Additionally, the text only shows the amount and the date, no other details. I had one this morning and I had to log in to remember what the charge was for. A fraudster could run the card up and move on long before I get a single text from them. My solution there, my BoA card has a $500 limit, so they won't get very far on a shopping spree. It's the only card I'll use in gas pumps as well for that reason.

Chase is on the lookout whenever there is fraud. All of them are. It's their money at stake. I like the text alerts, because I too get texts for purchases I didn't make, and was able to stop it with only 1 charge going through.

Yes, BoA's texts come days later. It throws me off seeing a purchase come up at 6AM, but when I see BoA, I don't really pay attention. But BoA also sends you alerts when they see fraud. I've gotten them once. Text says FRAUD ALERT. Reply Y if the charge is your's or N if it is not. Send N, and then they shut your card down. It's pretty effective. Two charges got through.

No need to worry at all. I think its funny when I get them. Fast food charges, gasoline, Tractor Supply Co. C'mon, get something good. I shut the card down right away, and then see what happens. And you get a shiny new object in the mail 1-3 days later, except for updating recurring charges and Google Pay, etc.

When it becomes worrisome is when you don't report it when you know its happening and they don't. But you got all the time in the world to report it. You're not responsible if you report it within 60 days lol. But that's really for the days of paper statements. We get access to our accounts instantly now, not up to 59 days before the last statement cut and when the next one is mailed to you and don't open it until 3 weeks later to pay it, and find out something's fishy.