Watch Those Credit/Debit Cards

[Justaguy]

A lot of us are on the road this time of year so maybe a little reminder. We got hit for over $1000 before the fraud alert shut it down. The CC is declined and luckily we have others with us. Be careful and practice safe swiping/inserting (chipped). Don't give you card to the attendant and let them keep it until you come back in. Just prepay.

"Let's be careful out there."

[2gypsies1]

RoadXYZ wrote:
BTW we only used Debit cards at Walmarts ... so can get CASH ... other than that if not needing cash or can't find one of my banks, then we use VISA ...

We use the credit card at WalMart and can get cash back.

[RoadXYZ]

CharlesinGA wrote:

Calicajun wrote:
That is true. Had my card denied twice because I didn't tell the card company I was going out of town. Some what of a pain but way better than having a card problem from someone other than you spending your money.

In the past I have always called when I went on a long trip. Last year I forgot and up in Missouri, on the way to Fargo from Atlanta, the Discover card would not work at the pump. I used another card, then called Discover. They re-activated it after I let them know it was me, and where I was headed.

Charles

Yep happened to me even after I called and let them know prior to going to East Coast ... clerk apologized and simply asked if I wanted to call them, which did and all went ok after that ...

[RoadXYZ]

2oldman wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Set up 'alerts' on your Credit/Debit Cards!!!!

x2.

Nobody needs to wait for the 'statement' - which you can do daily yourself.

So true ... and texts are sent to my phone whenever the VISA is used ... even sometimes before have left the check stand. BTW we only used Debit cards at Walmarts ... so can get CASH ... other than that if not needing cash or can't find one of my banks, then we use VISA ...

[CharlesinGA]

Calicajun wrote:
That is true. Had my card denied twice because I didn't tell the card company I was going out of town. Some what of a pain but way better than having a card problem from someone other than you spending your money.

In the past I have always called when I went on a long trip. Last year I forgot and up in Missouri, on the way to Fargo from Atlanta, the Discover card would not work at the pump. I used another card, then called Discover. They re-activated it after I let them know it was me, and where I was headed.

Charles

[kohana]

As Thom said credit card only. Then you are working on their money not yours.

[Biker1mike]

Our bank froze our only card. While on the phone they arranged for us to make a one time withdrawal from a local ATM to get us thru the day and re-froze the card. A new card was sent FED-ex to the campground the next day.
All false bills/charges were dropped.

Good news is that the thief was caught and is now doing time !

[gonesouth]

If a bank ever refuses to reimburse you for a loss on a card of any kind, ask them if they are sure and tell them you would like an email from the bank manager confirming it. Then, post a picture of the email on Facebook and on this forum....the last thing they want is for the customers to leave in droves until all the card using ones are gone. I bet they crack in about one day.

All banks in Canada will cover your losses without question.

[Thom02099]

H E R E - Info From the FTC is a link to the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer website. Scroll down and there is information on what the liability limits are. Past 2 business days but less than 60 calendar days, and the liability is maxed at $500! And if one doesn't find out until more than 60 days out, the loss is not covered, and one is out the money.

Simple reason to only use credit cards for such transactions; liability limitation is always $50, per the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA). Not so with debit cards, which are essentially an ATM card.

[2oldman]

Seems like if it's that big a deal to the banks they should provide an internet form for that purpose. When you call someone is just keying in what you're saying.

[rockhillmanor]

Crowe wrote:
I learned a hard lesson that 'debit' cards do not have the same safety net a 'credit' card has to stop fraud.

Not true. It depends on the bank. Last year when we went to Stowe for the weekend I tried to buy something and my card was refused. I called the bank to see what was up at the same time they were trying to call me. There were charges out of the area so they immediately froze my card and I wasn't liable for one cent. Even if it's caught after the fact I am not liable. I know it's a pain in the gizzard, but you might want to switch banks.

Yes what you said is true. When I hit the road full time using the 'debit' card they called me immediately that my card was being used across 3 state lines!!! LOL it was just me on the road RV'ing, and I forgot to call and tell them.

BUT When the scammer uses it as an authorized 'automatic' debit its a whole nuther issue as far as the bank was concerned.

We give many of our utilities etc authorization to 'auto' debit our account. There are no safety flags as it sits right now to alert a bank of an unauthorized auto debit because they do NOT receive any form of authorization from the card holder regarding an automatic debit. They just honor all automatic debits coming in.:R:R

I made that bank rep sit there and watch my account for 5 minutes and asked her if she really really thought I would EVER APPROVE an automatic debit to occur every 5 minutes. It was then and ONLY then that they put a stop on it.

The ONLY reason I got my money back was I have a very large account with them. IMHO a person with just one checking account would never have gotten their money back.

Nor would they have refunded me my money had the scammer only auto debited it just once. The ONLY reason I got my money back was because of the obvious 'repetitive action of the automatic debit in the same amount.

I not only closed that particular account. But because my life savings was also in that bank I closed ALL my accounts. If I was going to continue full timing with a sane piece of mind that that idiot scammer that knew how to work an automatic debit didn't have access to anything else.

There is a giant security hole in how banks handle automatic debits. You won't know and they won't alert you when it happens because it looks like a normal bill paying automatic debit. I just happened to be looking at my accounts that day on line.

If you think about it anyone you give authorization to use your debit card for an automatic debit to pay anything? There is nothing preventing them from using it more than once a month.

GoDaddy website host took my debit card I used to pay for my website and on their own with OUT my permission set it up as an automatic debit card payment. Would not have seen that either had I not clicked the wrong button and it took me to my account page. :R

[paulcardoza]

Correct that you are not liable. However, with a debit card, since the funds are immediately deducted from your account, it may take a bit of time for the refund to take place.

Crowe wrote:
I learned a hard lesson that 'debit' cards do not have the same safety net a 'credit' card has to stop fraud.

Not true. It depends on the bank. Last year when we went to Stowe for the weekend I tried to buy something and my card was refused. I called the bank to see what was up at the same time they were trying to call me. There were charges out of the area so they immediately froze my card and I wasn't liable for one cent. Even if it's caught after the fact I am not liable. I know it's a pain in the gizzard, but you might want to switch banks.

[jnharley]

I have a VISA prepaid card recommended by our credit union to use when the card has to disappear from sight. I keep a minimal amount on the card so if it is compromised, theives will not be able to get much. I wish our credit cards were chip and pin like the rest of the world instead of chip and sign. In Canadian restaurants, the server brings a device to your table so you can take care of the transaction yourself including the tip. No disappearing card and a much better system.

[Crowe]

I learned a hard lesson that 'debit' cards do not have the same safety net a 'credit' card has to stop fraud.

Not true. It depends on the bank. Last year when we went to Stowe for the weekend I tried to buy something and my card was refused. I called the bank to see what was up at the same time they were trying to call me. There were charges out of the area so they immediately froze my card and I wasn't liable for one cent. Even if it's caught after the fact I am not liable. I know it's a pain in the gizzard, but you might want to switch banks.

[rockhillmanor]

Not just at the pumps or traveling.

I got hit every 10 minutes with an auto debit out of my account for 89.99!!!

I called my bank and the first thing they said is they could "NOT" help me because it was my debit card and I MUST have AUTHORIZED the AUTO debit. Per the bank, no one can auto debit an account without my authorization. Yet the bank does not have any access to whether auto debits are authorized or not. :R

Well I most certainly would NOT authorize anyone to debit my account 'every 10 minutes' for 89.99. :H

Took several phone calls to get my dang bank to stop the auto debits and refund my money. AND I had to cancel my whole account because the bank said that if they tried the auto debit again it would go right thru again.

I learned a hard lesson that 'debit' cards do not have the same safety net a 'credit' card has to stop fraud.