Hi :)
Once a month I check my credit card statements whether I have been using the card or not. I checked one last night and it said 'nothing to pay' - so I nearly just switched off but decided to check 'recent transactions'. I was horrified to see that there were four transactions this month that added up to over £900 - that I would be liable to pay for next month.
I have not ordered anything. My card has not been out of my possession.
I phoned the help line who put me through to the fraud department and my card is now cancelled and I will not be liable for payment. Whew!
I think I will be checking accounts more than once a month in future though. Even although I won't have to pay anything I am really angry and quite shaken up about it.
Take care - Scottie :)
I check my credit cards on line DAILY.
And my bank account.
Thanks, Scottie!
Hugs, Elaine
Good catch, Scottie.
I check mine regularly as well, and had a similar experience to yours a few years back. And now of course, credit card companies watch for unusual purchases too. Twice in the last two years they canceled my card and sent me a new one themselves for that reason.
Inconvenient but good insurance.
My husband recently got a call from his credit card company.......they wanted to know if an $800.00 charge at a coffee shop was valid, and if not they would cancel his card and reissue. Glad they were on the ball, it would have been billing time before he became aware of it, and how many other charges do you think would have appeared?
Somehow criminals awere able to get the numbers and whatever info is necessary even though the card has never left his possession and he brings home all receipts to shred. With the new "convenient" access cards that you just tap, one has to wonder how many other ways there are to read them, and just how accessible they are to those who shouldn't have access.
A friend recently used his business card at the same gas station he always uses.. guess you know the scenario... account hacked.
I use what I call a "drut" account .. for purchases with my debit card.
Over the holidays I paid cash at gas stations.
We only use credit cards for large ticket items when we want the added warranty/consumer protection.
Look at who/what the charges are for too.
I had a charge on mine from a dr in another city in Iowa I never heard of. I called and evidentially someone had "fumble fingers" and put the charge on mine instead of the other's card (1 # off).
I load a credit card when I travel and use that at gas stations, etc. or pay cash. A loaded credit card was recommended to me by the bank other than traveler's checks.
A couple of years ago I got a letter from one credit card company asking if I had done any business in Europe. I can't remember if they called me first as I don't do business online---yet.
Anyway, there were 3 transactions in England that were never over 2 dollars each. All the company and I could figure out is that someone stole my number and was testing the water to see if they got caught. They did thanks to my on the ball company. The cancelled my old card and issued a new one to me.
I only have a limited amount of cards to keep my risk down, and I have limits on some of them of 1500$ so that I don't get too much billed if they do get stolen. Guess I will cut down the limit on the other cards also. I also have one of those protection companies that does a daily check on all your accounts
One of our neighbors had someone steal their credit and it ended up with a 5000$ lawyers bill to get it resolved. Tough when we don't have much money and have to fight to keep it safe. Irish
Thanks Scottie
I once used my credit card to buy some duty free in Cyprus. When I got my statement, I was billed ?700 for someone else's holiday. Needless to say, I complained. The bank were very good and said they could see immediately who had used it. They sent me a new card, and dealt with the fraud but it does make me quite anxious about using my cards abroad.
Kathyx