Holy &*#^ - credit card fraud on my account!
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:38 am
I accessed my credit card account last night in order to schedule a payment. While there, I reviewed recent charges for accuracy. Two things, minor amount 3.95 and 7.95 US, were on there from companies I'd never heard of. I did a bit of digging on the Internet, thinking maybe it was a company I use, but that uses a different name to bill.
First thing that came up for the one company was that a bunch of people had their credit cards used fraudulently!!!!!
So, I disputed the charges (it was 3 AM) and figured I'd do more work today. I called the first company. They indeed have had a rash of these. They work with affiliates - other sites who also sell their product for a cut of the action. The customer is shipped something for "free" (but they pay a shipping charge, so the company gets the credit card number) and then automatically, after 14 days, start billing the customer $80 a month for a month's supply of some product. In my case, one of these was Acai Slim flush and the other an unknown skin care product (I haven't received it yet).
Sometimes these affiliates use fraudulent information and submit it, hoping that the person doesn't notice the small charge. If you do not call the company within 14 days, the automatic billing starts. Then, the big payments kick in.
I wonder how many people don't notice this stuff?
At any rate, now I am getting a new card, I have to figure out if there are any autopay things going to this card. Yikes. And, have to hope that this is the worst of the fraudulent use....I'd hate to think someone is using this info to steal my identity or something.
Sometimes, my rose colored glasses get a real workout in this here world.
First thing that came up for the one company was that a bunch of people had their credit cards used fraudulently!!!!!
So, I disputed the charges (it was 3 AM) and figured I'd do more work today. I called the first company. They indeed have had a rash of these. They work with affiliates - other sites who also sell their product for a cut of the action. The customer is shipped something for "free" (but they pay a shipping charge, so the company gets the credit card number) and then automatically, after 14 days, start billing the customer $80 a month for a month's supply of some product. In my case, one of these was Acai Slim flush and the other an unknown skin care product (I haven't received it yet).
Sometimes these affiliates use fraudulent information and submit it, hoping that the person doesn't notice the small charge. If you do not call the company within 14 days, the automatic billing starts. Then, the big payments kick in.
I wonder how many people don't notice this stuff?
At any rate, now I am getting a new card, I have to figure out if there are any autopay things going to this card. Yikes. And, have to hope that this is the worst of the fraudulent use....I'd hate to think someone is using this info to steal my identity or something.
Sometimes, my rose colored glasses get a real workout in this here world.