I got robbed...

**auld argonian** · 15th February 07, 04:24 PM

...hmmm...I got a phone call from the bank that issued my mastercard earlier today asking if I was in London withdrawing $195.04 from a cash station...obviously I was not in London so they declared it a fraudulent transaction and locked down the card. So I got burned...but they did catch it right away and won't hold me responsible for the $195.04...which I figure must be what £100 is with the exchange rate and fees. There's obviously no way for me to figure out where they got the number (though the bank says that they'll investigate...I wouldn't hold out too much hope there, though) but it's rather sobering that all of this security can be penetrated at all. I'll exercise more caution in the future...let's all stay on our toes.

Best

AA

**cessna152towser** · 15th February 07, 04:31 PM

Sorry to hear about this but glad to hear that the bank are picking up the loss.

**Kilted KT** · 15th February 07, 04:36 PM

wow...that is (quick math)

A WHOLE KILT!!!

I really hope they do something nasty to the guy who did that to you!

**McMurdo** · 15th February 07, 04:37 PM

Thats too bad, but good thing the bank cault it.

**Judge** · 15th February 07, 05:30 PM

It happens more and more. Last month someone tried to pay their cellular phone bill with my cc. Bastages. Investigation turned up nil.

**Fearnest** · 15th February 07, 06:42 PM

Just had a similar occurrence (except mine was a false purchase for $999 not an ATM withdrawal) - and the only thing I'd paid for recently was a kilt from one of "our" suppliers known well here.

Hmmm...

HATE it when that happens. Kind of makes one feel paranoid...

**mddock58** · 15th February 07, 07:06 PM

I feel your pain!

Been there as well.

**GMan** · 15th February 07, 07:28 PM

I am so sorry to hear that. We all must be very careful especially after this warning.

**auld argonian** · 26th February 07, 02:29 PM

We got the official paperwork to certify that the withdrawal(s) were fraudulent today...and I say withdrawals because it was apparently three rapid fire withdrawals for a hundred pounds each...nice, huh?

Obviously one cannot cast apersions on any one specific merchant's security because, let's face it, it's a global economy and whoever lifted the card number was almost certainly (but not necessarily) not the one who used it...it's more common for the number to be passed on or sold to another party. I guess that I'll just have to try to find another means of making long-distance purchases...wire transfers or sending certified checks through the mail...if that's not good enough for the merchant, I find a different merchant. This was a Chase Mastercard and they have called in the past to verify that we were doing transactions in foreign cities...fortunately, those were legitimate but you have to admire their security protocols if they flag transactions of this type...better safe than sorry.

I'm also making it a point to get over and check out that one kiltmaker who's in a suburb near here...maybe buying the next kilt and a jacket and vest locally will make me feel a little more secure as well as give a boost to the local economy.

Best

AA

**JimB** · 26th February 07, 02:44 PM

No telling how they got your number, but if I were you I would look up Trans-Union or Experian on the internet (both are credit report agencies) and file a fraud alert asap. That will put a higher level of security on any credit transactions you (or anyone else) tries to make.
It's free and you get a free credit report out of it too.