OT: Credit Fraud

[MORIMOTOM]

That is correct. And they don't usually ask for my ID?

i dont think there is anything legally requiring id confirmation with a cc purchase. at least no law that is enforceable.

to do so is good business, as it makes the customer feel protected as well as protecting the business from taking it in the rear when fraudulent purchases are made.

 

[Tyrkon Lawson]

i dont think there is anything legally requiring id confirmation with a cc purchase. at least no law that is enforceable.

to do so is good business, as it makes the customer feel protected as well as protecting the business from taking it in the rear when fraudulent purchases are made.

I can also imagine that chances of actually catching the idiots who do this sort of thing is pretty slim.

This happened in the city of Paramount. Perhaps someone who you have hooked up before?

 

[MORIMOTOM]

I can also imagine that chances of actually catching the idiots who do this sort of thing is pretty slim.

very hard to track, since once they have charged something, they are typically on the move. surveillance can be helpful, but the resources needed to sift through it are often unavailable.

first you would have to go to paramount and file the crime report. and given the dollar amount, it is probably only a misdemeanor.

i think the fbi has a cc fraud unit, but i would guess they target mostly identity theft type cases involving very large sums.

This happened in the city of Paramount. Perhaps someone who you have hooked up before?

always a possibility.

 

[Blackwind]

i think they have various methods.

one would be separate charges within a short time frame and too much geographical distance to have traveled.

spending inconsistent with your current spending pattern.

most cards inserted in to a gas pump now require the users zip code. perhaps the thief gave the card to the attendant rather than using the auto pay and the attendant flagged it.

All of the above.

I'm an Information Security Expert for Perot Systems and I could probably tell you things that would keep you all up at night on just how easy it is for someone to acquire your info.


To give you an idea.....I have not used a credit card or debit card in over 12 years until the beginning of this year. I knew far too much about the back end systems and their faults to gamble with my hard earned money.

I have used for years what is called a "loading card." A MasterCard or Visa that uses a standard banking ACH or ACHW transfer to "load" with funds. Last year my credit score started to drop and after long consideration I decided it was time to get another credit card. After long arduous research I decided to go with Citibank.


Identity theft was the number one largest growing crime in the nation four years running until technology protecting your data etc started getting with the program in late 2004.

Worth reading...

Identity Theft Studies.

 

[Barb-B-Q]

Had my wallet stolen while working in a Christian bookstore. Within 3-4 hours, there was almost $4K on 2 cards. My bank was very helpful and didn't even hold me responsible for the first $50.00 -- neither did AMEX. The bank said most thiefs do try the cards at a gas pump first, to see if it is still valid. I called AMEX and found out that the thief was making his way up the Interstate and ended up in Indianapolis trying to use my card. Fortunately, by this time the card was canceled. The thief, an African-American gentleman signed the credit slips... "Mr. Martin"... Since the card most definitely had a female name on it, I was so PI$$ED that they got away with so much. Oh, how did I find out it was an African-American male...? He tried to use my card at a liquor store in Indy to buy 2 bottles of Christal. The liquor store pulled their video when my husband called and the cops would NOT drive to Indy to get the tape. Another thief gets away with $4K of products -- all kinds of electronics from Menards, 3 rolls of lottery tickets from a truck stop. Oh, well, at least I didn't have to pay. Now, here's the kicker... My wallet was found at a nearby mall & most of my items were still there (my handgun permit, family photos, SS card), along with the Christian bookstore manager's card & a customer's credit card. Two years later, I get a hospital bill from somewhere in Manhattan. I've never even been to NY. I wonder if it will ever stop! Just be careful!

God Bless & Merry Christmas to everyone!
Barb-B-Q