discussion Warning - don't get complacent!

[Dave Ward]

I count myself pretty savvy on computer security, but I had a call from my Credit Card people this morning. They told me that they'd suspended my card due to 'suspicious activity'. I thought that this was a scam, but I verified it was really them! They had blocked about 20 attempts to take payment from my card, mostly in USD, totaling about £5000. What had flagged this up, was they all came within 2 or three hours. I normally only use that card about 6-7 times a month! The card has now been cancelled, and they're issuing a new one.
The really odd thing is that this is my 'safe' credit card. I have another card, which I use on ebay etc, and for overseas purchases, I thought this would be the most likely to be hacked - but no. I have no idea on how the card was hacked. Luckily the Credit Card people are on the ball & no money has been lost. Details passed onto Action Fraud.
TAKE NOTHING AT FACE VALUE - KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON YOUR ACCOUNTS! - BE SUSPICIOUS!
Shaken Dave

 

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
Glad all's ok. These low life scammers are becoming more devious and their usual targets are the elderly who are maybe not as savvy as you.
Jim

 

[Guest]

Similar Dave. Some one in London tried 50 times. Failed

Ug huh what were the Bank doing. 50 times to twig it.

Nasty all cards are killed & you have to wait fro a new issue.

Although a pain getting, on line buying, a code no. by phone seems a very safe way.
Until some one finds a link to phone & card.

I keep the running account/cards very low & the rest of the (pittance) in another account hope safe.

Laurie

 

[Dave Ward]

Similar Dave. Some one in London tried 50 times. Failed

Ug huh what were the Bank doing. 50 times to twig it.

Nasty all cards are killed & you have to wait fro a new issue.

Although a pain getting, on line buying, a code no. by phone seems a very safe way.
Until some one finds a link to phone & card.

I keep the running account/cards very low & the rest of the (pittance) in another account hope safe.

Laurie

Laurie,
luckily I have another Credit Card ( from an entirely different company ), so I do have a fallback. All my domestic bills are paid by Direct Debit. Like you, I keep my current accounts at the minimum. It does highlight how dependent we have become on those pieces of plastic, and the internet, and the comfort of having a separate alternative if things go pear-shaped.
I'm afraid this is going to make me a bit paranoid for a good while...................
Dave

 

[Guest]

Like minded i have a card with another bank.

Strange thing after the fifty tries episode Pauline@card just carried on.
So Sauvignon Blanc did not suffer.

One of my pet hates these people nicking from others. Really gets my goat.
My mother & father ingrained in me honesty & I do not regret that at all.
Actually it is to be proud of.

This has been passed on to our 4 kids (actually fully grown sheep now :tears-of-joy

Laurie

 

[Guest]

I had a call from my Credit Card people this morning. They told me that they'd suspended my card due to 'suspicious activity'. I thought that this was a scam, but I verified it was really them!

That happened to me some years ago too. I got a phone call at about 9 o’clock in the evening by someone claiming to be from my credit card company. Like you, I was suspicious but when asked, she told me some details that a scammer shouldn’t be able to know, and told me of a recent transaction they had kept on hold because it was far higher than I normally use the card for (almost €2000). After I confirmed that wasn’t me, it was cancelled and I got a new card in the mail a few days later.

Good job of your credit card company too, by the sound of it.

But like you say, if you get a call like this, always verify that they are who they claim to be. Ask the caller for details related to the credit card that a scammer should not know, like other recent purchases you made with it. If they know your home address, phone number etc., that’s not proof!

 

[Airborne01]

Like minded i have a card with another bank.

Strange thing after the fifty tries episode Pauline@card just carried on.
So Sauvignon Blanc did not suffer.

One of my pet hates these people nicking from others. Really gets my goat.
My mother & father ingrained in me honesty & I do not regret that at all.
Actually it is to be proud of.

This has been passed on to our 4 kids (actually fully grown sheep now :tears-of-joy

Laurie

Sauvignon Blanc didn't suffer? 0h, praise the Lord - there is a God!

 

[AlanG]

I got scammed via Hannants many moons ago. They took a grand off the card before it was noticed. The CC company said that a couple of hundred people had been done via Hannants that night. Apparently it was the company that dealt with the monies side of Hannants that was hacked.

 

[Guest]

I got scammed via Hannants many moons ago. They took a grand off the card before it was noticed. The CC company said that a couple of hundred people had been done via Hannants that night. Apparently it was the company that dealt with the monies side of Hannants that was hacked.

Blimey that is a heart stopper Alan. Take it you got you money back. But no present.

Laurie

 

[Guest]

Few years ago niece was dating a bod. Bit naive.

That is until she found boy friend had nicked her card & was spending.

Not for long apparently he had a few cards. He suffered as cards were not
acceptable banged up in Her Majesty's Glorious prison.

Laurie

 

[Airborne01]

There are scrotes - and there are scrotes! Take care people!

 

[Guest]

My worry is that Pauline has her own card :tears-of-joy:

Bad move by me :smiling5: But she does keep asking me what her numbers are.

Laurie

 

[David Lovell]

I got scammed via Hannants many moons ago. They took a grand off the card before it was noticed. The CC company said that a couple of hundred people had been done via Hannants that night. Apparently it was the company that dealt with the monies side of Hannants that was hacked.

Alan i got caught in the same scam but my bank was on it like a light I was more annoyed that hannants couldn't even be bothered to apologise have never used them since. It's all the hassle that goes with a new card thank god a lot of the banks are on the ball. Dave

 

[Tim Marlow]

Alan i got caught in the same scam but my bank was on it like a light I was more annoyed that hannants couldn't even be bothered to apologise have never used them since. It's all the hassle that goes with a new card thank god a lot of the banks are on the ball. Dave

My bank , Lloyds, are so on the ball I even get checks when I myself spend money outside of my usual pattern….Barclaycard, my credit card, not so much, but when I was victim of a minor scam a few years ago they worked very closely with me to make sure I got the money back….

 

[boatman]

well i got robbed of some money by a certain company on my p/c an i dint know as i dint have my bank statement for that month an i went that same day an reknewed with them for more money only to find when i got home my bank statement in the post an normally i dont look at them just put them in a drawer but this time thankgooness i just checked through my statement an to my amazement i been stung a fair amount that i had not given permission to let them take it out of my bank well up to the bank an told them an they said dont worry you will get your money back in your account within 24 hrs an it was as well but the utter cheek of just taking someones money with out asking is outragdes what are things comin to in our green an pleasent land ?
chris

 

[outrunner]

My bank , Lloyds, are so on the ball I even get checks when I myself spend money outside of my usual pattern….Barclaycard, my credit card, not so much, but when I was victim of a minor scam a few years ago they worked very closely with me to make sure I got the money back….

I am also with Lloyds and they are very good with things like that, when I bought my last new bike I got a text from them before the engine was warmed up!

Andy.

 

[Guest]

Had one of those phone calls yesterday asking to speak to Mrs R .
We've had this before so I calmly said
Co,-op embalming services , can I help you?.
The scammer at the other end had no idea what I was saying, and asked what that was .
After being asked had he a dead relative that he needed collecting and the treatment given he replied , he was sorry as he had no need of the service and rang off !

I've used that before when scammers ring, they give the game away as they have no idea about embalming , of course one day someone my well want to speak to Mrs R .

Our bank have an excellent system of picking up strange transactions they flag up.
I normally use PayPal as that way the seller doesn't have your credit or debit card details. Still get the occasional email saying they are from PayPal and the account is suspended. To check I don't open the link, but go to PayPal and login and see that things are ok .
Being vigilant is unfortunately a way of life these days .
Glad you were ok Dave .