Unauthorized $50 charge from WMV.Chemistry.com

[Wag]

I was taking a look at my bank statement online today and noticed there was a hold charge for $49.99 from WMV.CHEMISTRY.COM. Apparently they are some sort of dating service? So I immediately called my bank and canceled my card and had them send me a new one.

The bank suggested I give them a call and see if I could get them to work with them to cancel the charge- of course when I called they asked me for my card # to which I replied, "You think I'm so stupid to give you my card # so you can charge me again?" I asked them to just call my bank and have them work with them, but of course they wouldn't.

I often wonder how these companies manage to get a hold of card #s? AFAIK I only charge online from legit companies, so someone must have a breach of security somewhere (either that or an employee at a local retail store steals #s).

 

[Blackjack200]

I thought Chemistry.com was a legit site? Someone probably stole your CC info and used it. Doubt it was intentional fraud by the site.

 

[highland145]

Or someone thought you needed a date.

 

[Capt Caveman]

May not be chemistry.com but a credit card thief looking for love?

 

[Wag]

Or someone thought you needed a date.

If only. When I called them I asked them if I could cancel by name but they said they didn't have it because I didn't register with the site- that's why they need my #. What doesn't make sense is that you'd think they'd have to have my name/address on file to validate the card #- otherwise their security is really lax, meaning they don't give a shit about who's using card #s on their site (hence my hesitation about giving them my card # again).

I guess I'll just wait for the charge to go through then I'll have to go to the bank and let them deal with it.

 

[spidey07]

Just dispute the charge. You're not liable for any charge you didn't authorize.

 

[Blackjack200]

Just dispute the charge. You're not liable for any charge you didn't authorize.

Probably used his debit card. I tried to dispute a charge I hadn't authorized on my debit card and was told I was SOL. I'd like to say that I stopped using my debit card after that, but I still do. I do try to be more careful though.

 

[Duder1no]

dude did you at least get a hot date out of this?

 

[Blackjack200]

dude did you at least get a hot date out of this?

He probably found out about it when a shirtless congressman showed up at his door.

 

[OCGuy]

Probably used his debit card. I tried to dispute a charge I hadn't authorized on my debit card and was told I was SOL. I'd like to say that I stopped using my debit card after that, but I still do. I do try to be more careful though.

That sucks. I am protected even using a debit card with BofA.

They put the $$ back in your account in 24-72hrs from when you file the claim.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That sucks. I am protected even using a debit card with BofA.

They put the $$ back in your account in 24-72hrs from when you file the claim.

That is how it's "supposed" to work. I left BOA a few years ago because that's basically all a bogus 'feel good' policy. (unless they've fixed/changed it in the last 7-8 years)

 

[OCGuy]

That is how it's "supposed" to work. I left BOA a few years ago because that's basically all a bogus 'feel good' policy. (unless they've fixed/changed it in the last 7-8 years)

I've used it and it worked fine.

In fact it is because of this policy that they will freeze your card and email you/call you if they think your recent activity is strange. They want to stop fraud as early as possible so they are not liable for it.

They used to freeze my card every time I would fund my sports book because it is an off-shore operation (obviously).

 

[Blackjack200]

That sucks. I am protected even using a debit card with BofA.

They put the $$ back in your account in 24-72hrs from when you file the claim.

Well, I think I have that level of protection. The issue with me was that it was not pure fraud, but a dispute with the merchant. My bank told me they could not stop the payment from happening (it was an automatic monthly payment) unless I cancelled the accound. I did, and they paid it anyway, and charged me $40 for insufficient funds. After some more fighting I at least go them to agree to return my insuficcient funds fees, but they never followed through. Just an incredibly shitty experience.

 

[Wag]

Yeah, it's a Debit Card backed by Visa (Visa symbol). So according to the Visa site they'll cover any unauthorized charges even on a bank card. I guess I'll find out.

 

[kami333]

Random number generator. They just got lucky.

And as far as Chemistry.com not validating numbers with name/address, it's sloppy but they also aren't selling a physical item where they would take a real loss for fraud.

 

[rcpratt]

Chemistry probably would have just cleared it for you if you had asked.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've used it and it worked fine.

In fact it is because of this policy that they will freeze your card and email you/call you if they think your recent activity is strange. They want to stop fraud as early as possible so they are not liable for it.

They used to freeze my card every time I would fund my sports book because it is an off-shore operation (obviously).

In my case, a merchant double-charged my card. (Group outing, I paid for a friend in cash, they claimed one person didn't pay and charged my card twice)

If I had used amex or visa it wouldn't have been an issue. BOA told me to GTH.

 

[Wag]

Chemistry probably would have just cleared it for you if you had asked.

Did you bother to read my previous post? They wanted me to give them my card # to clear it. Next time I go to the bank I'll let a bank CSR call them directly.

 

[rcpratt]

What were they going to do, charge you again? I don't see how that's any more of an inconvenience than one charge.

 

[simonizor]

I would suggest a new card with a new number. Perhaps someone got it and used it without your knowledge. Even if they didn't, the best way to make sure it doesn't happen again is to get a new card number.

 

[TridenT]

What were they going to do, charge you again? I don't see how that's any more of an inconvenience than one charge.

How are they going to even charge him if he canceled his old card? Lol.

This is what I don't understand: Your old card is invalid, won't work, burkaburkamohammadjihad. Yet you are like, "OMFG YOU CAN'T HAVE THE NUMBER NOW! YOU COULD LIKE... DO NOTHING WITH IT."

 

[nageov3t]

how do you expect them to magically refund your money or void the charges without your card number?

 

[SandEagle]

maybe your wife is using a dating service?

 

[Skitzer]

You probably have ruined the surprise.

 

[Fear No Evil]

There's no reason to work with the merchant who is charging you. Tell your credit card company you didn't authorize it and let them deal with it.