topic Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!! in Credit Cards

CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

hersheykisses — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:07:52 GMT

Just wanted to let everyone know about a situation that happened at an Olive Garden. We ate dinner and paid with our Credit Union Bank Card Visa, noticing the waitress took unusually long but figured it was busy and brushed it off. During the next 2 weeks there were several charges made to our card about an hour or so south of where we live, Target, Nail Salon, Hair Salon, gas, resteraunts they were made in a two day span. We didnt know until the bank called and said that several charges were made over the last couple of days just wanted us to be aware. Needless to say, it wasnt us.

We of course reported it immediately to both police and to the Bank. In the end it was a large credit card "ring" of people that went all the way back to>>>you guessed it the Olive Garden waitress. Apparently they were able to "re create" the credit cards they stole.

We now pay with cash or go to resteraunts where you can see them ringing your card.

LESSON LEARNED

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

silverzgirl — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:19:03 GMT

I try never to use debit cards/check cards for this reason. More protection with actual CCs, and I can transfer the amount from bank account to CC when I get home.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

kevinjjc — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:26:52 GMT

+1. Perfect example of why not to use debit cards at restaurants. Sorry this happened to you.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

Leadberry — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:13:28 GMT

You run the risk of this happening anywhere. Thieves have been known to affix inconspicuous devices to ATM machines and automated fuel dispensers that capture your card info. This is one of the main reasons you SHOULD use a credit card. It isolates your bank account from fraudulent activity and most if not all issuers offer $0 fraud liability. If everyone initiated a lifestyle change every time something bad might happen, well, what kind of life would that be?

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

QAMngrGirl — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:26:18 GMT

@Leadberry wrote:
You run the risk of this happening anywhere.

+1 I had a Chik-Fil-A employee clear out my checking account 2 days before Christmas a few years back

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 13:29:24 GMT

@kerbear1969 wrote:
Just wanted to let everyone know about a situation that happened at an Olive Garden. We ate dinner and paid with our Credit Union Bank Card Visa, noticing the waitress took unusually long but figured it was busy and brushed it off. During the next 2 weeks there were several charges made to our card about an hour or so south of where we live, Target, Nail Salon, Hair Salon, gas, resteraunts they were made in a two day span. We didnt know until the bank called and said that several charges were made over the last couple of days just wanted us to be aware. Needless to say, it wasnt us.
We of course reported it immediately to both police and to the Bank. In the end it was a large credit card "ring" of people that went all the way back to>>>you guessed it the Olive Garden waitress. Apparently they were able to "re create" the credit cards they stole.
We now pay with cash or go to resteraunts where you can see them ringing your card.
LESSON LEARNED

Obviously not pleasant to have other people using your money, but the charges seem to indicate that this wasn't the most sophisticated criminal ring ever! Hair and nail salons? Waaaay down the list of "Things to do with stolen cards"

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

FinStar — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:05:41 GMT

@Leadberry wrote:
You run the risk of this happening anywhere. Thieves have been known to affix inconspicuous devices to ATM machines and automated fuel dispensers that capture your card info. This is one of the main reasons you SHOULD use a credit card. It isolates your bank account from fraudulent activity and most if not all issuers offer $0 fraud liability. If everyone initiated a lifestyle change every time something bad might happen, well, what kind of life would that be?

Happens more often than one would think. Your physical card need not even be in their possession as they could have skimmed the number through another method and use it 5,000 miles away. Always use a credit card though instead of debit - better liability protection.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

Open123 — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:37:50 GMT

Eventually, I'm even going to request my bank no issue me a "pure" ATM card with no debit feature. These days, I see little reason to use debit, ATMS, or even write checks.

It's gotten to the point where if a business doesn't accept a form of CC, I just won't even shop there anymore. I never thought I'd see the day where I'd make such a choice.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

DrMac210 — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:43:09 GMT

The majority of MC/Visa branded debit cards are also covered when fraudulent purchases are made.

I know because it has happened to me twice over the years.

First time, someone rang up 10K plus on an account at a Best Buy 12+ hours from me. Got a call the same day from a fraud security manager from the debit card company to verify it wasn't me and the funds never left the account.

Second time, someone used the debit card number to purchase a round trip flight from Italy to Great Britain. Unfortunately it wasn't me........ The funds did get taken from the account that time as it wasn't discovered until several days went past, but was replaced 100% by the bank within a week.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

randeman — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 14:58:37 GMT

I had this happen to me on one of my debit cards a couple of years ago. Had dinner at Ruth's Chris one night and paid with a debit card from a community bank that I keep a fairly small balance on. First thing the next morning, I got a call saying that someone had tried to use my card to pay a $700+ Verizon bill. Fortunately there wasn't anywhere near that amount available in that particular account and the transaction was declined. I was lucky. Now I only use my Citibank debit card which has fraud protection on it.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

silverzgirl — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 15:30:12 GMT

It is not as much the fraud protection; it is the carte blanche access to your cash. If someone pays bills out of that account and your waiter decides he needs a Rolex and a trip to Paris, the bill payer may be in trouble before the problem can be fixed.

I prefer using the CC, and then paying out of my bank account online when I get home. Same thing, but they cannot get my paycheck.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

FinStar — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 15:35:58 GMT

@silverzgirl wrote:
It is not as much the fraud protection; it is the carte blanche access to your cash. If someone pays bills out of that account and your waiter decides he needs a Rolex and a trip to Paris, the bill payer may be in trouble before the problem can be fixed.

I prefer using the CC, and then paying out of my bank account online when I get home. Same thing, but they cannot get my paycheck.

Plus, some banks/CUs do not replenish your funds immediately - some can take up to a week. I'd rather avoid the headaches/inconvenience by using a CC anytime.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

Countingpennies — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 15:45:10 GMT

I realize this is somewhat paranoiac, but I don't let my cards leave my sight. If paying by card in a restaurant, I take it and the bill to the cashier myself. I know card numbers can still be stolen, but I believe in minimizing the possibility.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

Home2014 — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 18:32:36 GMT

This is an old trick that's been around since I was a waitress in college. I recall a wayward friend coming in to dine at the restaurant where I worked and asking me to record the card information for my customers in return for kickbacks - Umm, no! I was a student and a mother, so I had no plans of going to prison.

It's pretty easy to have a fake/mock-up embossed with stolen card information and when the fake swipe panel doesn't work when trying to make a purchase, the cashier will key in the card info and expiration date. The purchase will then go through.

Cards that are not embossed are better because an inconspicuous trick is to simply take a pencil and paper and quickly scribble over the card to get the details recorded. This can usually be accomplished in a few seconds and not raise a eyebrow on how much time has elapsed while standing at the micro or looking like you are copying details if someone is watching. I don't think how much time has elapsed when a server has your card is indicative of much of anything, especially if the restaurant is busy or a your party has handed the server multiple cards on which to split the bill. Stealing info can be done in a matter of seconds. Also, I can't think of any restaurant having a cashier besides IHOP or a diner.

Off-topic Sidebar: I witnessed an inordinate amount fraud and theft while waitressing. Non-English speaking busboys/girls would get ripped off the most in terms of managers and servers stealing their pay.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

HiLine — Wed, 07 Aug 2013 20:01:19 GMT

The thread would be more appropriately entitled "Debit card holders beware"

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

randeman — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:05:48 GMT

@silverzgirl wrote:
It is not as much the fraud protection; it is the carte blanche access to your cash. If someone pays bills out of that account and your waiter decides he needs a Rolex and a trip to Paris, the bill payer may be in trouble before the problem can be fixed.

I prefer using the CC, and then paying out of my bank account online when I get home. Same thing, but they cannot get my paycheck.

Fair enough, but wouldn't you rather have a debit card that has fraud protection rather than one that didn't? If you had to choose?

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

sakhalin070 — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 20:48:25 GMT

+1 on always using a CC over a debit card. A debit card is like a thief's free ticket into my checking account. I only use my debit cards for ATM transactions and one of my credit unions requires me to use my debit card at least once a month to keep [excellent] checking interest rate. So I use that debit card for coffee or a vending machine. I keep my checking account balances low so even if a thief got my debit card, they won't be able to get very far. And I'm paranoid, so I check my bank and credit account activity at least once a day.

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

Steelersboy — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:32:46 GMT

@sakhalin070 wrote:
+1 on always using a CC over a debit card. A debit card is like a thief's free ticket into my checking account. I only use my debit cards for ATM transactions and one of my credit unions requires me to use my debit card at least once a month to keep [excellent] checking interest rate. So I use that debit card for coffee or a vending machine. I keep my checking account balances low so even if a thief got my debit card, they won't be able to get very far. And I'm paranoid, so I check my bank and credit account activity at least once a day.

just when i thought iwas the only one lol

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

daybreakgonesXe — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 21:56:00 GMT

I check my accounts religiously too...sometimes as much as 3 times a day D:

Re: CC HOLDERS BEWARE MUST READ!!!

djc1puno — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 22:04:59 GMT

This happens too often...sorty to hear about your situation...hope it works out to your favor