Dagnabbit!

[boston bean]

Someone frauded by bank card.

Luckily the bank caught it and the charges will be/are reversed. But I thought I would let you all know how they think it happened.

I still have my card so I didn't lose it or anything, plus the charges were across the country from me at a Target store.

They said that someone used an electronic device and scanned my card while it was in my pocket or pocketbook.

WOW!

They told me to get a metal wallet to keep my cards in.

Keep safe out there, and keep your cards in a heavy lead (lead, my crazy idea LOL, prollyn not needed) case (not magnetic). I'm not sure if a flimsy aluminum case will work. Told me I could get one onlilne. I know it sucks, to have the extra weight in the wallet or pocketbook or pocket, but better to be safe than sorry.

my little diddy for the day. Just one more exciting day in the life of riley.

[valerief]

1. I'm gonna wrap my wallet with credit cards in aluminum foil right now!

[boston bean]

3. I thought about that too! ha! LOL

but then I thought of this:



and wondered what people might think....

[valerief]

8. Aw, man, but those hats are sooooo retro cool.

And practical, if you keep your wallet on your head.



BTW, I just wrapped my wallet in foil!!!!

[sasha031]

2. Glad things worked out, who would think they would be able to scan a card while it's in your pocket.

thank you for the info,

[boston bean]

6. you're welcome sasha.

i didn't know either. Good to know though, that's for sure.

[bluestate10]

9. don't put your purse down. Keep it in motion.

If you carry a purse on a strap, it will move as your body moves. Those using wallets should move around when in line. Watching what is going on around you goes a long way toward protecting yourself against identity theft. Tearing up or shredding old bill and bank statements helps prevent identity theft. People don't realize that a person can take a bank statement out of the trash and gain valuable information if they are skilled enough, the same with credit card statements. When I was just out of college, I threw an old, expired bankcard in the thrash. That card was later used to withdraw money against my checking account. The bank caught the problem after one withdrawal.

[Honeycombe8]

4. That happened to me, too. I think it happened when I used the "debit" part & keyed in PIN at

merchants. It's fairly easy to hack merchant's databases (the PIN stays in their system, which I didn't know).

The bank said it could be that, or it could be what you say. In my case, it was my debit/charge card, so I had to be using my debit card for them to get the PIN. There's a device where they can stand some feet from you, point it at you, and pick up the numbers you key in for your PIN.

My bank reimbursed me quickly. I still had my one and only card, and I was in Texas, while the withdrawals were in Hollywood and Burbank CA. I checked my account online 1st thing Monday morning, so I found the heist right away (it had been done over the weekend), so there was no doubt that it could not have been me.

I use my debit card ONLY at my bank, OR an ATM inside my office building, with me hunched over it, so no camera can read what I'm punching in. Never an outside ATM. Never at a merchant.

[boston bean]

5. whoever sells those devices ought to be made to stop.

who should be able to profit off an item that is used almost exclusively for fraud.

or are they making these devices in some basement somewhere???

[valerief]

7. I got $1000 charge to my debit card, because I used my debit card in

Office Max and their lax security allowed my card and pin to be stolen. BOA caught the unusual charge, so I didn't get the bill and they replaced my card. Since then I've NEVER used my debit card with a merchant. I only use it at the bank. I'd rather use my credit card with a merchant. Actually, I just about always use cash now.

[Honeycombe8]

10. I use my charge card. Yes, I think it was the merchant thing that did it.

Once they told me that the PIN stays in the merchant's database, I was pretty sure that had to be it.

[northoftheborder]

11. I only use charge cards, NO debit cards, and withdraw cash with bank ATM.

I did have my credit card number used illegally by someone but the bank caught it and called me. Not all charge cards have that magnetic symbol, only one of mine does, so I do not carry it around, use it for online purchases.