I think someone is using my debit card!

[UglyCasanova]

I just got my statement back from the bank saying all of my debits this month. There are 3 or 4 stores listed that I know I didn't go to or buy anything. These are all located in the town I live in, and I know the stores, but I have never been inside them. My card has not been stolen, so is it possible to go to a restaraunt and hand them a CC # and pay like that, or have a duplicate made? This is very weird, and I'm going to the bank first thing Monday morning. I am very pissed off.

 

[Mill]

Yeah I would handle that first thing Monday. More than likely someone has gotten your number... it could be a mixup though.

 

[LongCoolMother]

make sure you do something about it, its very very suspicious. my dad has hada very similar incident happen to him. to keep it short, after a few months of hassle, the identity theft group got away with more then $50,000 of his money via credit cards. make sure you request an updated account summary for all your credit cards and notify them of the activity. these things are starting to get more common!!

 

[UglyCasanova]

How do they just steal my number? Do they make a fake card or something? It would look odd if they just said "Yeah, my debit number is..." This sucks. I have only had this for a couple months, and already someone is stealing my money. Also, I only have one card with not much on it. If they use it to go all out and buy stuff would that put me in debt?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: dparker
How do they just steal my number? Do they make a fake card or something? It would look odd if they just said "Yeah, my debit number is..." This sucks. I have only had this for a couple months, and already someone is stealing my money. Also, I only have one card with not much on it. If they use it to go all out and buy stuff would that put me in debt?

First of all you need to confirm with absolute certainty that you (or a co-signer on your account) did not make purchases at these merchants. If you have not, you should IMMEDIATELY dispute these charges in writing (call first, to have your checking/savings/debit card accounts cancelled and new one's re-issued ... yes it's a huge pain in the ass but if you don't do this you stand to lose even more money).

Again I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to pursue this immediately and in writing.

How could this have happened? Your debit card was probably swiped at a restaurant or retailer, you handed the employee your debit card to pay for something at a restaurant, they walk away for a few minutes to charge your purchase but they also use a device which makes a copy of your magnetic strip and/or write down your name, complete 16 digit a/c and expiration date. With this information (they don't even need your name) they can have a friend who has access to a credit card machine charge you $ just by using your 16 digit debit card's account number and expiration date. They just have to manually enter in this info, swiping is not required.

Bank of America seems to really tout their security even with debit cards, so if you have a BOFA account you should have little or no difficulty in disputing these charges.

 

[HappyPuppy]

With a credilt card you can put a stop payment on a charge or challenge a charge. If wrong has been done to you will be reimbursed.

With a debit card, unless you can track down the crook, you are screwed.

Don't use debit cards. If you must pay with plastic, always use a credit card.

 

[amnesiac]

Last week, some dude tried to pay with a FAKE credit card at the restaurant where I work.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
With a credilt card you can put a stop payment on a charge or challenge a charge. If wrong has been done to you will be reimbursed.

With a debit card, unless you can track down the crook, you are screwed.

Don't use debit cards. If you must pay with plastic, always use a credit card.

Amen! That's what I preach in real life and on the Net. Never ever use a debit card unless you're at a grocery store and need cash back. It's secure for the most part, you swipe your debit card and enter in your PIN. Still I'm sure the cashier could always print a duplicate receipt which may have your 16 digit account number on it.

Credit cards = good except for when I have access to them.

 

[tgillitzr]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
With a credilt card you can put a stop payment on a charge or challenge a charge. If wrong has been done to you will be reimbursed.

With a debit card, unless you can track down the crook, you are screwed.

Don't use debit cards. If you must pay with plastic, always use a credit card.

I had an issue with a company I ordered a powersupply from. They sent me a powersupply different from the one I thought I was ordering. I called them up and tried to negotiate a refund, but they wouldn't do anything. I called my bank, (i placed the order over the phone with my debit card(visa)), they issued a refund, for the total of 34 dollars.

I was surprised.

 

[Dragnov]

Originally posted by: tgillitzr

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
With a credilt card you can put a stop payment on a charge or challenge a charge. If wrong has been done to you will be reimbursed.

With a debit card, unless you can track down the crook, you are screwed.

Don't use debit cards. If you must pay with plastic, always use a credit card.

I had an issue with a company I ordered a powersupply from. They sent me a powersupply different from the one I thought I was ordering. I called them up and tried to negotiate a refund, but they wouldn't do anything. I called my bank, (i placed the order over the phone with my debit card(visa)), they issued a refund, for the total of 34 dollars.

I was surprised.

I love my BofA Visa Check/Debit card. I've lost it like twice and they cancelled my old on and sent me a new one immediately. On a related note, I had some blank check stolen and they wrote it for about $330. I was immediately refunded and all I had to do was fill out a form and send it in after to verify the info. And I did this all over the phone. I think it all depends on what bank you have.