So, I was hit with an unauthorized charge for the first time...

[Anonymous]

... Certainly could've done without that in my life.

Was winding down on my phone before going to sleep, and received an email from Chase. I have my phone set up so that it silences between 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM, so I have to say I was really glad I wasn't able to fall asleep tonight. Someone made a charge for $143.94 at Match.com (how can you make a charge that expensive on Match? Is the membership expensive like that...?), Chase asked me online if I authorized it. Clicked no, and they said they blocked my account, and would call me tomorrow.

Logged onto my account to make sure that there were no other unauthorized charges (even though I have email alerts for charges over $1, alerts can delay or fail so you never know!) just to make sure. When I logged off, I got this as an ad:

I'm covered? Yeah, no kidding, haha!

Should I be concerned, still? How does Chase tend to handle things like this, are they good about it?

I take identity protection really seriously. My only other card (Slate) has the same charge alerts, and has been SD since I got it (it's an emergency card). I use a privacy browser that encrypts data and blocks tracking when making online purchases. My spend tends to run around the same stores I've used for years (and I haven't been making many purchases at all, since I'm paying down balance), and since getting the EMV card, I've only made two purchases—one at Target to buy some medication, and one at Staples to fax an important document—and both with the EMV terminal. Could the information have been stolen there?

I don't know, I'm still really jittery from this situation—my hands are shaking and I even feel like crying a little bit. $150 isn't a lot for other people, but it's definitely a lot for someone like me. I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight, haha...

[yfan]

Well, these things happen. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just because someone was able to make an unauthorized charge on your card doesn't mean they stole your identity. I would get some sleep and wait for Chase's call tomorrow to sort it all out.

For good measure, you may want to change your passwords to at least your financial accounts.

[redbeard]

No need to panic on this.  The charge will be reversed.  You are covered for this.

I would have them issue you a new card with a new number though.  Even though you have a card with the chip, the number is likely the same as it was before the chip, so somebody could have picked it up anywhere.

On Match.com, or at least most e-commerce sites, you have to have a match with at least the zip code as well.  Now, the pending charge will go through without it sometimes, but it won't settle.  I've seen this happen when a credit card number gets entered incorrectly, though that is harder to do than most realize, but it can happen.

Dan

[UncleB]

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@yfan wrote:

Well, these things happen. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just because someone was able to make an unauthorized charge on your card doesn't mean they stole your identity. I would get some sleep and wait for Chase's call tomorrow to sort it all out.

For good measure, you may want to change your passwords to at least your financial accounts.

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+1

Also, change the password to your email account. 

If somebody can get into your email, they can probably reset the password on most (if not all) of your other accounts, causing a huge headache.  I know how the OP feels; back in March I had one of my online accounts 'taken over' and purchases made with the card on file with delivery to a 'new' address (they also changed my email address in the account to their own, locking me out).  It was nerve-wracking. 

The password on my email account happened to be the same as the account that was hacked (yeah, I know that was a bad idea); the problem could have been much, much worse.

[SunriseEarth]

One great advantage of using credit over debit is that you aren't out this money and you don't have to do much fighting to get it resolved.   Worst case scenario, you'd need a new card issued and you might be without this card for a short while and would have to update any information tied to this card (i.e, recurring purchases).

[Kirmie2010]

Should send you a new card number.  The available balance may reflect the unauthorized charge for a few days until they sort it out and then itll be credited back.  (sometimes its that day, sometimes it takes a bit for it to show)

You might also get some delayed charges showing up over the next few days, you can call Chase if it happens and report it.  (They usually catch it but just to be sure)

Youd be surprised how many places require no pin, no zip code no anything.  Unfortunately for us normal people, the ones stealing the cards/numbers know where those places are =/

Chase is very good handling unauthorized charges!  (The best out of about 10 cards I had to cancel with various companies)

CreditOne being the worst

Youll be fine and they could of stole it anytime since before or after you got the card and any time between.  When using chip terminal maybe someone took a photo of your hand or video.  Weird things happen!

(For some ive seen, the card never left their sock drawer in a year and a half all of the sudden have unauthorized charges appear)

When ours was stolen I knew it wasnt via online, you may want to change all passwords.

[Anonymous]

I'm very sorry this happened to you. I just had someone do this with my Barclaycard for $1,200. Luckily I review my accounts frequently and Barclay cannceled the card, and got the charges reversed for me. I felt as upset as you do, but apparently this kind of thing happens a lot. I think possibly when my husband and I were at a baseball game, I swiped my card at a sit-down restaurant within the ballpark there and it may have gotten compromised.

Your credit card company will send you a new card and take care of the charges for you. Be sure to speak with the fraud department, not just customer service, and ask them to remove the charge.

Review your accounts daily and you will be fine. My breach was only showing in pending charges so I was glad I had bothered to look in the pending charges, which is a totally separate section and people don't often check that as much.

Just remember that your card company will cover you adn unfortunately this kind of thing happens a lot. Don't worry and I understand how you feel!

[Anonymous]

It was a Chase card...unbelievable.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:
It was a Chase card...unbelievable.

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Why is it unbelievable?

[JB2]

Actually about a year ago or so I got a text message on my phone saying my debit card had been comprimised.  With Chase!  I figured it was a spam text so I ignored it.  About 5 minutes later I had a call from a number that I didn't recognize, it was not the number on the back of my card so I didn't answer it.  I called chase myself and told them what was going on.  They looked up my account and said Yes someone else tried to use my number and it was under investigation.  They said no charges would be made and to not worry about it.  They told me to continue to use my card as normal but that they would be sending me a new card with a new number.  I changed my passwords, and when I logged into my account there was no sign of any kind of fraud.  I never heard anything about it again.  I asked them who tried to use it and where and they told me they couldn't give me any information and that it was all being investigated.  I give chase credit for being on the ball with that.  I just went on vacation a month ago and I was using my debit card and was getting texts from chase asking if I made these purchases, then my wife was getting them too.