Careful with your debit card

[Rapewta]

I got hit twice in two weeks with two different debit cards.
The first was a "feeler" for only $1.00 with a company we never had done a transaction with.
My wife caught it the next day and called the bank. I cancelled my card permanetly. I was only using it for gassing up the vehicles.

So my wife and I start using her card for pump purchases.
Well, I used the card the other day at a Cheveron and it was used at another Cheveron 500 miles away for $124.00.
Again, my wife saw it checking out online banking and asked me about it.
We knew it wasn't us and was at the other end of the state.
Called the bank and they cancelled our second card.
We got a new PIN and the card will be here in a few days.

The thief tried to do another transaction this morning for $1.00 and it was blocked by then.

I was told by the banking rep that I should only use the card at the pump and not go inside the station to use it. That is what I have been doing. So for now on I will just use it standing next to the auto.
This is a rant but I can't help wondering "What the hell has happened to your fellow man?"

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rapewta

I got hit twice in two weeks with two different debit cards.
The first was a "feeler" for only $1.00 with a company we never had done a transaction with.
My wife caught it the next day and called the bank. I cancelled my card permanetly. I was only using it for gassing up the vehicles.

So my wife and I start using her card for pump purchases.
Well, I used the card the other day at a Cheveron and it was used at another Cheveron 500 miles away for $124.00.
Again, my wife saw it checking out online banking and asked me about it.
We knew it wasn't us and was at the other end of the state.
Called the bank and they cancelled our second card.
We got a new PIN and the card will be here in a few days.

The thief tried to do another transaction this morning for $1.00 and it was blocked by then.

I was told by the banking rep that I should only use the card at the pump and not go inside the station to use it. That is what I have been doing. So for now on I will just use it standing next to the auto.
This is a rant but I can't help wondering "What the hell has happened to your fellow man?"

Never hand your debit card to anyone especially if it will be out of your sight.

Pumps are not 100% safe either.

The more sophisticated criminals will install an additional strip reader inside the real one.

If the card reader looks odd don't use it.

Many gas stations these days have security tape on their pumps.

My regular stations do this.

If the tape is broken it's possible the reader has been tampered with.

[nota]

saddly most of our local stations will not allow pay at the pump
but require you to go inside and leave the cards

wife got hit by a local big name station
funny bit was as she was on the phone with the CC corp
they ran another charge thru

so we pay cash only!!!!!!!!

[pegasus9]

I've been a victim.

Got jacked last year. Checked one of my accounts online to find three purchases that I did not authorize. A membership to a BBW dating site, a pair of new shoes and a cell phone. Someone had a good time on my dime.

My credit union investigated the matter and credited my account after a few days. Hope they caught the dirtbag.

I try not to use those debit machines at gas stations and withdraw some cash to use for the week but somehow the cash seems to just evaporate from my wallet..

[gshase]

Just got a call from my credit card company of a $1 charge on Google and several other declined attempts to use our card. I was not sure if the call was a scam so I asked the girl a lot of questions, she said the will stop all transactions and will send a new card.

[rnln]

Why has to be debit card? Why not using credit card?

[Rapewta]

gshase...
That (google) is the first $1.00 charge we got with the first debit card. Interesting.
What the hell do you purchase from google?

It doesn't have to be a "debit" charge card that goes straight to your checking account. It probably can be any type of card. Our's happened to be debit with
daily limited maximum usage.

I can see the future and that entails a sofisticated gun safe, anchored to the foundation and lagged into the studs, with room for large amounts of cash in addition to guns. The safety and trust in electronic commerce is decaying pretty quick. WTF?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Rapewta

I was told by the banking rep that I should only use the card at the pump and not go inside the station to use it.

Doesn't matter if you go inside or do it at the pump. Your best bet is to go to the same gas station every time and pay attention to what their pump looks like. If anything changes, skip it.

Read these and be amazed and never want to use your card again, anywhere.

This is 19 short articles all linked on one page. Click each title to read the individual articles and look at the amazing photos. I've head about this stuff before and always figured "I'd spot a fake in an instant!" After reading these articles and looking at the pics, I know that's not true. I'd never have any clue short of trying to dismantle the thing...
All About Skimmers — Krebs on Security

[masraum]

Originally Posted by rnln

Why has to be debit card? Why not using credit card?

Absolutely doesn't matter. Any card can be compromised.

[GH85Carrera]

I have had my debit card hit twice and my credit card once in the last 3 years. It has never cost me a penny. Just some phone calls. I always pay at the pump. I have no desire to go wait in line inside when I can do the transaction right at the pump.

When I travel I always have two credit cards and my debit card with me. If one card is compromised and gets canceled I have a backup.

[porsche4life]

My parents Discover card got hit twice last year.... Both times at Loves Travel stops out of state. Just watch your bills, anything is suspicious, call it in. All the major companies have fraud procedures, and it won't cost you a dime if you catch it early....

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by masraum

Absolutely doesn't matter. Any card can be compromised.

It matters a LOT - credit cards have numerous legal protections built in, that debit cards lack.

I always use a credit card for that reason.

[porsche4life]

^ Which is exactly why I only got a debit card this month, and that will only be used at ATMs to get cash should I need it while traveling....

[krystar]

ATM's aren't safe either.

Nigh-undetectable ATM skimmer - Boing Boing

[masraum]

Originally Posted by masraum

All About Skimmers — Krebs on Security

Originally Posted by krystar

ATM's aren't safe either.

Nigh-undetectable ATM skimmer - Boing Boing

Originally Posted by porsche4life

^ Which is exactly why I only got a debit card this month, and that will only be used at ATMs to get cash should I need it while traveling....

Read the links above, ATM cards, credit cards, cards at gas stations. They are very sophisticated. Some text the pertinent info to the thief as soon as they get it. Some use a scanner to pick up the info from your magnetic strip AND a camera to get your pin.

[porsche4life]

Yup, been reading up on them... I'm going to look like a paranoid freak the first time I use an ATM....

[ramonesfreak]

been using mine for 15 years for everything. makes me nervous but no problems yet. a guy i know got robbed about $500 last summer though after making an online transaction on a shady website. bank returned the money and made it right as they usually do

[rnln]

it's diff. Good cc company will fight to get your money back. A checking account bank most likely won't.

Originally Posted by masraum

Absolutely doesn't matter. Any card can be compromised.

[gassy]

I've been hit twice in the last two years for about 3k on my debit card. I bank with Chase and was reimbursed fully in a day both times. Gas and electronics were purchased both times.

[Dantilla]

With a debit card, the money is gone from the account before the problem is discovered.

With a credit card, the money stays in my account until I write a check. Any fraudulent charges can be disputed while I keep the money.

I refuse to use any debit card because of this.