h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A word of Warning, Folks.

In early April, I made an online purchase within UK, on my debit card.

I also had to provide 'proof of age' on a different site. At this time, I have reasons for beleiving that I was also 'hacked'.

Recently, a direct debit was refused, and charges incurred. I was sure that my account was OK, so I examined my bank statements carefully over the last few months.

I discovered that my bank account had been 'skimmed' for over £100.00 over the past three months.

On enquiring at my bank, it was a case of 'Oh, no. Not another one!!'

Needless to say, my bank will be refunding me what has been stolen, plus repaying fees.

The company doing the dirty is based, I am sorry to say in the USA, so little chance of catching the perpretators, as money flashes around dozens of accounts before going to ground.

So, beware, my friends. If money starts going from your account that you cannot explain, get down to your bank. The sooner it is nipped in the bud, the better.


'g'

sorry to hear that G

glad you caught it in time and your getting your money back

Yeah, cheers, Taff!!

Also good that the bank were aware of the scam.

Actually, woman that sorted me said that one chap she dealt with recently was being skimmed for 14 months before he caught on!!



'g'

Fortunately, there's not enough in my account to skim it

The buxxers will take what there is, or wait till any cash goes in, Mala!!



'g'

I've had this sent by a hootoo friend and I think it's very apt for this thread G


Be sure to read Scene 3 - Very interesting.

SCENE 1

This is a new one.

People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't they?

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.
After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself,
'Funny, I thought I locked the locker.

Hmm, 'He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order.

Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.

A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of £14,000!

He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that
he did not make the transactions.


Customer care personnel verified that there was no Mistake in the system
and asked if his card had been stolen.

'No,' he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep
- you guessed it - a switch had been made.

An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.

The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.

Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier,
he would have to pay the amount owed to them.

How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy?

£9,000! Why were there no calls made to verif y the amount swiped?

Small amounts rarely trigger a 'warning bell' with some credit card companies.

It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!




SCENE 2

A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card..

The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along.

Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket.
Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person.

He called the waitress and she looked perplexed.

She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man.

All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier,
and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card.

No exchange of words --- nothing!


She took it and came back to the man with an apology.

Verdict:

Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours..

Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the
card is taken away for even a short period of time.

Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, 'assuming' that it has to be theirs..



FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH
TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION!


SCENE 3

Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in.

I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly to my checking account.

The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure.

While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialling.

I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture.

He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on.

It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.

He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open.

About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved.

Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card..

Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened.

Needless to say, I immediately cancelled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlour.


All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Whenever you are using your credit card take caution and don't be careless.



Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card.


Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days.


Never let your card out of your sight.......
check and check again!

Thing with me, Prof is that the card never left this flat!

Simply filled card number in space provided, and that was that.

According to HBOS, it is a worldwide problem. The bad guys are making millions when you simply provide age verification on age sensitive sites, including sites where you intend making future purchases!!

I've learned my lesson. No more internet purchases. If someone wants to know if I am an Adult.....'Sod Off'!!!



'g'

go into a bank now and again, write a cheque and get cash, you get to know your bank staff, who are helpfull people, and you leave with a warm feeling and a wallet full of cash, just watch when you use it that you dont get short changed, they can photograph a £5 as much as they like

there is a new thing out to do with online payments, but only certain banks and company's are using it as yet -in it's infancy

but I understand G and your anger

Taff!

Mrs and I poor credit history as on benefits 10Yrs plus..

i.e., No chequebook. We have to 'trust' people with debit card/number.

Now suffered setback. Who can we trust?? No bugger!!



'g'

Yes, Prof!

Luckily for me, my bank, HBOS has had probs with money going to USA that cardholders know sod-all about. I will get my cash back, but others in the same boat with different banks may not be so lucky!!



'g'

as the "old" saying, the crooks keep one step ahead of any technology

"go into a bank now and again, write a cheque and get cash.."

Unfortunately Taff the friendly staff often tell you to use their hole in the wall outside leading to a jolly old card cloning

Your bank sounds similar to mine, Loonycat...

Less than £500.00 - use the machines.......


Either paying in or taking out..




'g'

never used an hole in wall and a woman behind me in the bank one day, said about the one on the left of the counter(in the bank)I turned and said "are you my accountant ? if not! stay out of my business"

Sites wanting age verification?

There's your problem then.

Stop looking at porn.

You have a mucky mind, Mala!!

Some intenet sales sites need same info as well!




'g'

G, this is what I was saying I had, the other day about extra security on on-line buying

http://www.visaeurope.com/merchant/handlingvisapayments/cardnotpresent/verifiedbyvisa.jsp

Will print and study later!


'g'

your welcome G