This is the first time this has happened to me and I am perplexed AND upset. I went to Ca to my Granddaughter's dance recital (She's 4..... it was sooo cute :p ) and I guess that "somehow" someone got my debit card number in their grimmy hands and have charged about $400.00 onto my account. I'll get it taken care of through the bank but I am wondering how the heck these slimmy thieves do this I still have my card in possession. I am EXTREMELY careful about covering my card number and pin when I do use my card. This obviously happened in CA because they used it days later in some city much further south at a Target :doh: in CA. Do any of you have any safety suggestions or ideas to prevent this from happening in the future OR anything I should know in particular for this incident? Thank you so much for your time and ideas!! Oh and if any Mother's are reading this: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
What a world we live in. Hope you get it straightened out Catherine. Happy Mother's day to you as well.
If you used an atm they may have installed a device on the card reader that records your card info.This has been reported happening here in Columbia S.C.You may be able to view it on WISTV.COM.The device is easily removed by the thugs but looks like it's part of the atm. Check it out-if you're that careful that could be how it happened.Good luck hope this helps.
I try not use my card as much as possible, *not the case here lately*. I figured if I can't pay for with cash, then I don't need it!
I don't like giving it to waiters at restaurants. Think about it. You give them your card, they walk to the back to ring you up and their gone for five minutes. They could easily get your card number and the security number off the back, go online and BAM, they've got whatever they want. Just a thought
Good advice, Jim. Also, never enter your pin number from your debit card into a fuel pump. All kinds of shady gas station clerks with the readers that steal your number along with your pin number.
this is what i fear most! cash is a good option but i rarely have it.... i guess i would just keep close watch on your statements... its tough cause it's not like they stole your "card" what i do is where you are suppose to sign your card i write in big black letters -SEE ID- bad part about that is no one asks to see it.... they just swipe my card and give it back to me...... urrrrrggggggghhhhh
I did that on one of my bank cards as well and the post office refused to take it because it wasn't signed and it says this card only valid if signed. That was the one and only place that ever refused to take my payment. Working at a bank for a little over three years I saw all kinds of things happen to customers. My first thought with this was the pad under the numbers of the ATM, but it is hard telling how they really got your numbers. As a side note: If at all possible always use your card as credit and not debit. If you sign for your transaction it is backed and verified by whichever company your card is through (visa, mastercard, etc) and if you use your pin number it isn't backed by anything.
yeah you are correct dave, it has happened a few time where they folks said no they wont take it... just had to use another form of payment. another tip i would point out is take your address off your checks and abbreviate your name, that way if your checks ever get stolen unless they know your full name or how you sign your checks the bank can always go back and look for discrepancies and makes changes....
