Is it possible to recognize who stole your credit card and (unsuccessfully) tried to make charges? I see two possibilities:

1. Purchased my washer at Lowe's and paid by credit card over the phone. Verbally gave my number, expiration date, 3 digit number.

2. Oil change at the dealer. They have a temporary express service location, so instead of inserting my card to the customer side card unit, he asked and I handed to him my card. He then inserted my number (hand punched in the numbers) into another card unit on his side of the desk and gave me back my card. I got out my pen as there was always a receipt to sign there - but there never was a copy I had to sign. Wondered (but didn't ask) why.

Fraudulent charges (after calling my bank learned they were for $45 & $472.78 - the first amount showed pending, only she (bank rep I talked to) could see the second) were to samsclub.com (not a member). Got a text from my bank, but I saw it first online as I check my charges at least several times a week to make sure everything's kosher.

No. You will never ever know how it happened.

But, you can prevent it from happening again, using my method.

Your credit card will be reissued with a new number.

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Originally posted by parabellum:
But, you can prevent it from happening again, using my method.

Thanks - a great idea.

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Originally posted by f2:
Is it possible to recognize who stole your credit card and (unsuccessfully) tried to make charges?

No. There's no way to know. It's not uncommon for credit card numbers to be stolen and then sat on for days/weeks/months/years, before the number is used to make a fraudulent purchase. This is especially true for CC info stolen during a large data breach, where they might have grabbed thousands or millions of CC numbers at a time.

So just because a fraudulent charge was made today, doesn't mean that the person must have stolen your info today, or yesterday, or the day before that, or... etc.

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Is it possible to recognize who stole your credit card and (unsuccessfully) tried to make charges?

No, and nobody in law enforcement or the bank is going to investigate. Dispute the charge, get it taken off, get your new card, and forget about it.

This happened to me just this week for $1,079.99 from a place half way across the country. Usually when a charge like that happens, the bank locks the card and calls me, but this time I logged into my bank account to make a transfer from one account to another and found it myself. Called the bank and they closed the card. I went to the bank and got a new card printed and the next day the money was back in my account. I so wish there was a way to catch these bastards. They deserve a little lead poisoning.

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Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by f2:
Is it possible to recognize who stole your credit card and (unsuccessfully) tried to make charges?

No. There's no way to know. It's not uncommon for credit card numbers to be stolen and then sat on for days/weeks/months/years, before the number is used to make a fraudulent purchase. This is especially true for CC info stolen during a large data breach, where they might have grabbed thousands or millions of CC numbers at a time.

So just because a fraudulent charge was made today, doesn't mean that the person must have stolen your info today, or yesterday, or the day before that, or... etc.

That’s a little unnerving. A couple of years ago my card was stolen 2 times within a couple of months. Both times right after paying my phone bill online. I’ve paid that bill by check via snail mail ever since.

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Originally posted by wingspar:

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by f2:
Is it possible to recognize who stole your credit card and (unsuccessfully) tried to make charges?

No. There's no way to know. It's not uncommon for credit card numbers to be stolen and then sat on for days/weeks/months/years, before the number is used to make a fraudulent purchase. This is especially true for CC info stolen during a large data breach, where they might have grabbed thousands or millions of CC numbers at a time.

So just because a fraudulent charge was made today, doesn't mean that the person must have stolen your info today, or yesterday, or the day before that, or... etc.

That’s a little unnerving. A couple of years ago my card was stolen 2 times within a couple of months. Both times right after paying my phone bill online. I’ve paid that bill by check via snail mail ever since.

And that check has your account number and bank routing number on it. When the check is stolen the thieves have all they need to raid your bank account. CC is much safer.

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Originally posted by clayflingythingy:

And that check has your account number and bank routing number on it. When the check is stolen the thieves have all they need to raid your bank account.

Most banks and credit unions offer online bill pay with no fee. This is pretty safe. If the payment is made to a business that accepts electronic payments, the funds transfer is direct, and nobody sees your account number.

If the payment is made to a business that does not accept electronic payments (ACH), or to an individual, the bank mails a paper check that has your name on it and any memo information that you have entered, but does not show your account number.

My card number got stolen/copied at the Apple fair in Hendersonville NC several years ago. I found it when Mrs.Mike was doing the books and there was a charge for a fridge from Lowe’s in Transylvania Couunty (Brevard). I called my bank a state credit union and the PD there and reported the discrepancy. A det. called me and I explained the whole deal. The fact that I was a cop was helpful. They got a video of the guy picking up the fridge and charged him with the fraud. Turns out he was the guy who sold us popcorn and drinks while at the fair.

I positively identified him and he went to jail for six months. Lowe’s actually went and recovered the fridge and the bank returned the funds to my account.

The only reason it worked out was that the town is very small, everyone knows each other and the detective had a hardon for the bad guy as he was a one man crime wave in his jurisdiction.

But yeah, most of the time the banks just write it off and don’t follow up.

quote:

Originally posted by wingspar:
This happened to me just this week for $1,079.99 from a place half way across the country. Usually when a charge like that happens, the bank locks the card and calls me, but this time I logged into my bank account to make a transfer from one account to another and found it myself. Called the bank and they closed the card. I went to the bank and got a new card printed and the next day the money was back in my account. I so wish there was a way to catch these bastards. They deserve a little lead poisoning.

Anyone posting about having funds 'returned to their account' is playing with fire! DO NOT use Debit Cards....Period!

If someone gets your Debit Card # they can empty your Bank Account! What if this happens when you're travelling? Then you've No Debit Card, AND No Bank Account!

Further, if you use a Debit Card for certain purchases, such as hotel & restaurants, where tips and/or incidental charges may be added, the Temporary Authorization (which 'locks up' your funds on a Debit Card) can be much higher than the actual charge, and in the case of a hotel bill, may not clear until several days after you check out!

While the the bank says 'you're not responsible' for fraudgulent charges, why do you think bank charges/fees are so high? Care to guess?

Use a Credit Card for purchases....If you're CC# gets stolen, at least they're NOT playing with YOUR money!

If you need ATM access to your Bank Account(s), get an ATM Card!

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Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by f2:
Is it possible to recognize who stole your credit card and (unsuccessfully) tried to make charges?

No. There's no way to know. It's not uncommon for credit card numbers to be stolen and then sat on for days/weeks/months/years, before the number is used to make a fraudulent purchase. This is especially true for CC info stolen during a large data breach, where they might have grabbed thousands or millions of CC numbers at a time.

So just because a fraudulent charge was made today, doesn't mean that the person must have stolen your info today, or yesterday, or the day before that, or... etc.

Yep and your good info and data is bought and sold on the streets for heroin and every other criminal enterprise. It could have been compromised weeks and months ago.

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Originally posted by parabellum:
But, you can prevent it from happening again, using my method.

I am now using this method. I hope it works, I get hit once a year and almost always charges from the UK or NYC, usually a takeaway restaurant.

I've wanted to try and find the person before but really it's just not worth your time unless you know how it happened and them it's still likely not to go anywhere.

Para's method is good depending on how often you use your card.

For those still using a debit card please stop. You can get no-fee credit cards very easily. Your liability is much better and it will never directly affect your own money in your bank account. Sure the bank will give you the money back but it could take a while and affect your available funds. It can also give thieves access to your bank account.

I use something called a "virtual account number" for any CC purchases not in person. It's basically a one time use number that can also be set to a max value for the purchase. It's good for 30 days so you can do returns, but you can close it earlier manually if you want to do so. I've been doing that for almost 20 years now. Para's solution is pretty good too, although I don't know if my current card issuer has such a feature. Something to check into....

They hit my Corp Amex, someone tried to buy $100 worth of gas at a station in TX, Amex caught it and denied it, card still in my possession, its mainly used for recurring expenses, and a few FTF purchases who knows when it was hit...

Amex fixed me up with a new card and they maintained most of the recurring charges, a few I had to redo...

I have the apps for the cards I use regularly they notify me of purchases, interesting enough AMEX contacted me via email/text about the fraud before that cards purchase notice came through, probably because they flagged it..

Damn, read this yesterday, today my debit card got hit. Got it taken care of with a new card issued this afternoon.

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Originally posted by JoseyWales2:
Para's solution is pretty good too, although I don't know if my current card issuer has such a feature.

To lock and unlock the card, the app has a little slider button, which I think of as the "fuck you" button.

I've had a Discover card for twenty years and I've never had any problems with it, no unauthorized charges and when I call Discover customer service, they are polite and helpful. Visa and Mastercard, on the other hand, well, they're the reason I now have a "fuck you" button.