Just a heads'-up....Credit Card info stolen/used after online purchase. BEWARE
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,478
Likes: 184
From: Mount Airy, MD
Happened to me a few years ago. I used to do alot of online ordering so I wasn't 100% sure which company it happened at, but I'm fairly certain it was Harbor Freight. I actually had an online retailer (Hamacker Schlemmer) call me to confirm the ship to address. The ship to address was in Vietnam. Kudos to them for questioning the purchase. I contacted Amex immediately and there were 2 other bogus charges as well. Fortunately Amex took care of everything and I wasn't charged for any of it, but I still felt violated. I did contact Harbor Freight and let them know I thought it was at their place that it happened due to the large Vietnamese population working there. I won't buy from them online anymore because of it, but they do have a retail store not far from that I have used.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
You have to just be careful when using your CC in general. Thinking this type of thing happens just online is false. As a previous poster stated, waitresses, bartenders, or anyone that handles your card can get the number and easily make purchases. As far as ordering online, it could have been snagged either on the sellers end or somehow you could have received some malicious software on your machine that sends someone your information from your computer. Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date.
Also, just ordering from a store rather than online can cause the same problems. Some companies store the CC info in the same database for in-store purchases and online purchases.
I write computer software for companies and deal with coding for CC approval often. The best practice is to keep an eye on your account activity. Most (if not all) banks make it very simple to do this online so you can check it daily.
Also, just ordering from a store rather than online can cause the same problems. Some companies store the CC info in the same database for in-store purchases and online purchases.
I write computer software for companies and deal with coding for CC approval often. The best practice is to keep an eye on your account activity. Most (if not all) banks make it very simple to do this online so you can check it daily.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
I wouldn't be so quick to jump on the Paypal option. You will give up many of the protections and ease of dealing with an issue in the event of fraud. Paypal (or the sellers) have their own issues.
As the OP indicated, BofA was quick to notify him, canceled all the transaction and made the process very simple and easy for him. Don't expect that from Paypal.
As the OP indicated, BofA was quick to notify him, canceled all the transaction and made the process very simple and easy for him. Don't expect that from Paypal.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
That is the exact reason I do use my CC for online purchases. If there is any fraudulant activity on the account the bank will see it within hours and stop the card. The customer has no liability. This has happened to me in the past. My numbers were compromised and I was contacted by the bank and notified. I assume they straightened it out.
Remember, the Cc companies have millions and millions of dollars in transactions every day (or minute who knows) they have all the resorces to track down these scum bags. I do know when they catch one of them they absolutley throw the book at them. Prosecute to the maximum extent of the law.
Because of that protection I will always use my CC.
Remember, the Cc companies have millions and millions of dollars in transactions every day (or minute who knows) they have all the resorces to track down these scum bags. I do know when they catch one of them they absolutley throw the book at them. Prosecute to the maximum extent of the law.
Because of that protection I will always use my CC.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 10,959
Likes: 2
From: Back in Oz M8
Yeah, my CC failed to work at the checkout one day, rang the company and they had frozen my account. Apparently, someone in London tried to withdraw $1000 from an ATM there......WTF? had to cancel card, re-issue, etc. PITA
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
My sister had her CC info stolen by a waitress at an upscale restaurant, so, it's not just an online thing. You have to stay alert all the time.
One good online safety measure - some CC's will give you a one-time-use number to use for online orders. I've done that several times when making online purchases from companies I was not familiar with.
One good online safety measure - some CC's will give you a one-time-use number to use for online orders. I've done that several times when making online purchases from companies I was not familiar with.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: TX
Your information can be stolen at any time and never used for several months, it's at the thief's discretion. In most cases the person(s) will immediately use the stolen information, but there's also a possibility that you just have a key logger or virus on your computer that hasn't been discovered. If you perhaps, check your bank information online, someone could get your information from that. Also, Paypal isn't guaranteed safe, but they will generally refund any amounts that are deemed fraudulent, just like your bank or CC company will. Just FYI.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
Consider this:
If someone gets your bank card and pin, or your bank account number and login credentials, then proceeds to steal your money, the bank is under no obligation to reimburse you. It's totally your responsibility to keep those numbers secret.
On the other hand, a CC company will not come after you for any fraudulant charges on your CC, as long as they are not your charges. You have to sign an afidavit to that effect.
Now you decide. The choice is yours. Do you use paypal, where you have given them authorization to access your bank account for payments, or do you use your CC??
For me, it's a no brainer. I use my CC.
To answer someone elses concern about the CC company cancelling your card and you have to wait several weeks for a new one. This is true. The answer, you need a back up card, keep it in your sock drawer at home for such an occasion. By that I mean If you use Visa, get an Amex and keep it tucked away until you need it.
If someone gets your bank card and pin, or your bank account number and login credentials, then proceeds to steal your money, the bank is under no obligation to reimburse you. It's totally your responsibility to keep those numbers secret.
On the other hand, a CC company will not come after you for any fraudulant charges on your CC, as long as they are not your charges. You have to sign an afidavit to that effect.
Now you decide. The choice is yours. Do you use paypal, where you have given them authorization to access your bank account for payments, or do you use your CC??
For me, it's a no brainer. I use my CC.
To answer someone elses concern about the CC company cancelling your card and you have to wait several weeks for a new one. This is true. The answer, you need a back up card, keep it in your sock drawer at home for such an occasion. By that I mean If you use Visa, get an Amex and keep it tucked away until you need it.