Life lesson - In case you're not aware

FormerBoater wrote:

Tinstar wrote:

bshpilot wrote:
the only reason the bank (or cc company) is calling is out of concern for themselves.
the card holder is not liable for charges they didn't create.

To me it's not just who is liable. I am always concerned if someone steals my credit card info and makes purchases under my name? Anything that concerns my credit card company concerns me too. I figure it's a partnership and they are not only looking out for themselves but for me too.

I know what a hassle it is to try and reestablish my identity and restore my credit because if it's stolen, my credit will suffer, at least in the short run. Sometimes it takes a couple of years to accomplish it too. I'd rather not have that hassle.

Your credit would not be affected. Your issuer will credit the bogus charges immediately or you can lodge a complaint directly with Visa or MasterCard.

This thread is not about identity theft...it is about your card issuer denying authorizations when you, the cardholder are attempting to make a purchase because you are on the road.

Prior to my retirement, business travel took me to Europe and Asia. Never had to notify my issuer(s)...all was well.

After the breaches at the big retailers, had my diesel fuel purchase denied in South Carolina...not acceptable IMHO.

Not actually correct FormerBoater. I think your are confusing the Credit card companies and the big three credit reporting services; TransUnion, Equafax and Experian. They are not the same. Depending on who and what gets reported to them, they can and will (at least in the short run) report everything about your attempts at credit, loans and payments. If someone tried to open credit in my name, it's reported. If it's denied, it's reported. If someone checks my credit report, it's reported. If someone gets a Best Buy card, it's reported. If a payment is not made when it's supposed to be, it's reported.

In the long run, you will likely be able to straighten it out but like I said, it can take months or maybe years. You can't just call and say "it wasn't me" and all is forgiven. Like the advertisement on TV; "That's not the way it works."

As far as what this thread is about, I think if the CC companies deny my charges due to them thinking my card info was stolen, then that's close enough to identity theft or at least suspected identity theft.