Cliff, they detected it 'cause they knew that frilly dress didn't match your recent shoes purchase
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Three weeks ago, I received a phone message that over the previous weekend, three $6-800 purchases were attempted (in CA)....and gave me the option of "OK'ing" them or cancelling my card. 2nd time that's happened over the past ten years....1st time they just automatically cancelled it on a gas purchase in IN. The CC companies monitor, 'cause they'll eat the losses
. Cost of doing business these days....I doubt my card was ever compromised physically (just guessing the # on "some" purchases....I dunno???). I've also had my credit frozen for at least ten years at all three agencies....doesn't cost a cent (at least here in NC), and unfreezing it for a purchase is easy too (anymore). EVERYONE should do this imo....