Author Topic: Credit card fraud (Read 13598 times)

andreas johansson · « **on:** August 30, 2011, 02:44:26 AM »

Hi guys

Ok, I have bought stuff on the internet many many times, several times per month over the last 10 years or so. Never had a problem, until now. Why am I writing this here you may ask? Well, normally I use paypal, but lately I have purchased some parts from a C/L supplier where I had to enter my Credit Card details and its probably from there my Credit Card details have leaked somehow.
How much have I lost? well not much at all, under $1. Someone have tried to use my CC details on a service called Napster, and that small amount was enough for VISA to "lock" my card. After the card was locked they have tried several times to use it, naturally without success.

I will be very cautious (sp?) in the future.

Regards
Andreas

scott matthews · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2011, 03:26:00 AM »

Welcome to the club. I have used my card at only three places (Tower Hobbies, Brodak, and McMaster Carr) and had the same thing happen two weeks ago. With in 6 hours someone tried to rack up almost a $1000 on my account.Replaced my card and now today I see a new charge from the bank for $15 I guess to stop the card.I really hope this thief is found because I want to continue ordering from these companies.

andreas johansson · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2011, 04:03:18 AM »

Hi Scott!

Ah, I see we have two companies in common, I just thought of Brodak, but I have ordered from Tower about a month ago, so they can be the source of the leak too.

From now on it will be PayPal only. one can pay with PayPal at Tower Hobbies. Brodak is, however, Credit Card Only.

What are the punishments for this type of crimes in the US?

Andreas

Joe Mig · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2011, 05:37:20 AM »

For me it is pay-pal or the credit card over the phone as I never use the card over the net. I never had a problem as of yet.

peabody · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2011, 07:03:17 AM »

I use a card for my business and toy purposes....Sunday it was refused for a gas purchase....I didn't think much of it because we were enjoying the hurricane....trying the same thing yesterday, it was declined again...
I called Capital One and the nice woman there went over my charges......several for $.20, one for $4.95, and then one for $311.22 and another to HP computer stores for $1120.00. None were actually charged .... speculation is that whomever was using the number was trying to determine the limit of the card......
Capital One is sending a new card.....I checked my other cards and no funny stuff...

Have fun!

Willie Johnson · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2011, 07:40:42 AM »

My credit card company called me on Thursday. They noticed strange activity on my card. There was a $1 to Google and a charge for $100 to some business in Munich. They declined the charges until verification by me which was no. It looks like the $1 charge was an attempt to see if the card was valid. My recent purchases were from tool retailers and I am wondering where the leak was from.

Willie

andreas johansson · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2011, 07:49:47 AM »

Rich and Willie: Have anyone of you bought anything from Brodak or Tower Hobbies say within the last month or so using your Credit Card? Have this happened to you before?

Best regards
Andreas

scott matthews · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2011, 10:11:04 AM »

I have made purchases at all 3 componies that I mentioned with in 2 months, the bank says that the thief probably waits a few weeks and then starts to Run amuck. My first fraud charge to my card was a skype connection to Luxembourg then another skype to Europe, then to Ally Bobaas Technologies for $930.00. I wonder if contacting Brodak or Tower Hobbies about this would do any good or are you just going to make someone made for insinuating they might have a thief working for them?

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2011, 10:25:33 AM »

Seriously doubt it's a local either at Tower or Brodak, why would someone raised in PA want to call Europe. More than likely it's a key logger either on your computer or on a server.

Only time this happened to me was right after I ate in a Chinese restaurant, someone bought a $300.00 calling card and used it all to call China, I no longer hand my card to the waiter/waitress in restaurants if I can help it.

scott matthews · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2011, 10:29:20 AM »

What is a key logger?

louie klein · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2011, 10:33:37 AM »

I use one card with a small max just for internet purchases.--LOUIE

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2011, 10:40:38 AM »

Quote from: scott matthews on August 30, 2011, 10:29:20 AM

What is a key logger?

It's a type of virus sometimes called spyware that records the keys you type and emails the info to home base without you knowing it. Usually picked up from porn or game sites but sometimes can be picked up by clicking on a rogue site from a search engine. Very important to keep your anti virus and anti spyware software updated.

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2011, 10:46:43 AM »

PayPal is my solution. That and and using a trusted vendor, i.e. Amazon..

A couple of years ago AMEX called me to inquire about purchases made at a pharmacy in Argentina (small amount) and they had refused payment. They said they had it all in control, but I asked them to issue a new card anyway.

It seems to happen to most of us sooner or later. Several years back, I remember that by law the cardholder's liability was limited to $50 - nowadays I think the card companies monitor more closely..

Until we all get the Mark of the Beast imprinted in our forehead or right palm, it will likely continue.. ;->

L.

"I got my mind right, Boss.." -Lucas Jackson

Garf · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2011, 12:30:25 PM »

I had this happen after a purchase from Virginia Hobbysports. It was also quickly caught. It also happened to me after a purchase from Target.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #14 on:** August 30, 2011, 01:09:50 PM »

Happen to me a few years ago. The FBI got involved because it was traced back across state lines. I had three charges, a mom and pop store to see it if would work -100 bucks on food. Then off to Best Buy for a big screen TV and Radio Shack for some odds and ends. All on the stores were on the west coast. The FBI said that my card information was picked up at a local restaurant the sold to someone on the west coast.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2011, 02:31:04 PM »

I've never really had a problem with my charge card, but did have some inconvenience when a stop was put on it, when I was trying to buy gas to leave Edmonton, Alberta for home. I had just used it to settle my hotel bill. Apparently, I should have called my Credit Union and informed the security dept. that I was going to drive to Eddie.
I think last time I went, I didn't call the CU, but now always use my card for virtually all purchases in Canada. The transaction fee is a small penalty, compared to having to mess around with exchanging US$ for Cdn$. However...do not ever use a USA gas card in Canada, just the bank card. Did that once, and it was a horrible mess to pay.

Had a co-worker who used his credit card at the drive through at Taco Time. He watched the girl run the card, and noticed that she also wrote down the number, name, and security code on the back. Hmmmm, he says, and called 911 on his cell, and would not leave the drive-up window. The cops eventually arrested the girl for stealing credit card info. Minimum wage people will be the biggest problem. Stay alert!

Steve

Steve Hines · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2011, 05:25:19 PM »

Just had it happen to me at the Detroit contest. Used it at the hotel and with in 4 hours just after the shift change they chargerd 18$ and when that worked off to the Apple store, and then they stopped it. The thing was I did not have any money on me or gas in the tank. Glad my brother was there and he had cash. Just got my new card today. From know on going to the bank and getting cash and then pay, the debit card was just to easy.

Steve

BillLee · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2011, 06:39:10 PM »

Add me to the list.

Have done a lot of traveling this summer. Came through Wichita Falls last week and the RV park couldn't get the credit card to work. So they took down the numbers and mailed me a receipt a couple of days later.

Today, I had stopped in western Georgia for gas on the way to the F2C Team Selection Finals in Huntersville, and the pump would not take the card. Called Chase and found that two fraudulent charges had been made. The first one was $1 at the Apple Store and the second was $140 for internet purchase at a site I had never heard of and had never visited. Chase is real good about keeping an eye on the card. We canceled that account and they are mailing me a new card at the hotel here in North Carolina. A real PITA however since that card is used in a number of places for automatic payments.

My suspicion is the clerk at the RV park. No way to prove it.

Bill

scott matthews · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2011, 07:17:40 PM »

My new charge to my account today was for $14.88. When I called the bank we looked at my bank record and early in the day there was a $14.88 deposit then shortly later the $14.88 was withdrawed. I asked the bank if this was a mistake on there part and they said to watch the account to see if it rectofies itself. I feel that someone is fishing to see if the account is still active. So not to be deliberately pissing anyone off, how secure do you feel Brodak's and Tower Hobbies site's are now that I have change my bank security codes and received a new card. Please excuse my agitation,but as I explained in my earlier post this card has only been used at the three web site that I mentioned and has never been used anywhere else in the free world.

Guy B Jr · « **Reply #19 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:06:25 AM »

Bob Reeves
(Only time this happened to me was right after I ate in a Chinese restaurant, someone bought a $300.00 calling card and used it all to call China, I no longer hand my card to the waiter/waitress in restaurants if I can help it.)

Any time a restaurant employee (or anyone else) wants to carry my card off to process, l carry the card to their terminal and take it right back. So what if it makes them mad.

There are several credit card companies, Bank of America in particular, that provide a shopsafe number for a one time use. It is charged to your account but the number is random and can only be used once. I use it all the time on line and bu phone.

Bill Barber · « **Reply #20 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:52:45 AM »

My American Express card was compromised last week , this week it was my Master card. Both cards have been replaced , thought it might have been an electronic card reader . But now reading this I wonder , have ordered from Brodak using both cards .
Bill

Willie Johnson · « **Reply #21 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:55:18 AM »

I haven't purchased anything from Brodak's or Tower in a few months. My last purchase was made over the phone for a tool purchase and that could have been where they got me but I can't prove it. I know personally that most legit companies do not even want to store credit card numbers on their systems. They pay a vendor to do it. It's too much risk.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #22 on:** August 31, 2011, 10:45:30 AM »

Quote from: scott matthews on August 30, 2011, 07:17:40 PM

My new charge to my account today was for $14.88. When I called the bank we looked at my bank record and early in the day there was a $14.88 deposit then shortly later the $14.88 was withdrawed. I asked the bank if this was a mistake on there part and they said to watch the account to see if it rectofies itself. I feel that someone is fishing to see if the account is still active. So not to be deliberately pissing anyone off, how secure do you feel Brodak's and Tower Hobbies site's are now that I have change my bank security codes and received a new card. Please excuse my agitation,but as I explained in my earlier post this card has only been used at the three web site that I mentioned and has never been used anywhere else in the free world.

If I read your earlier post properly, you said you replaced the card after you made the purchases at Tower and Brodak but are still seeing bogus charges? If this is the case you need to look elsewhere and figure out how your account info is getting out. The thieves are getting smarter...

Damian_Sheehy · « **Reply #23 on:** August 31, 2011, 10:57:42 AM »

Yet another . . . and I've used my card at both on-line retailers.
My card was locked last w/e.
I phoned them right away and had the spurious charges scrubbed from my a/c before they posted.
I've already gotten new cards in the mail. . .

Peter Nevai · « **Reply #24 on:** August 31, 2011, 11:05:19 AM »

Quote from: scott matthews on August 30, 2011, 07:17:40 PM

My new charge to my account today was for $14.88. When I called the bank we looked at my bank record and early in the day there was a $14.88 deposit then shortly later the $14.88 was withdrawed. I asked the bank if this was a mistake on there part and they said to watch the account to see if it rectofies itself. I feel that someone is fishing to see if the account is still active. So not to be deliberately pissing anyone off, how secure do you feel Brodak's and Tower Hobbies site's are now that I have change my bank security codes and received a new card. Please excuse my agitation,but as I explained in my earlier post this card has only been used at the three web site that I mentioned and has never been used anywhere else in the free world.

If you are paying any bills on line or have any direct deposit services, even SSI. Many times to validate your bank account and direct pay or deposit services the company, agency or organization will make a deposit and the an immediate withdrawl. The amount is usually trivial anywhwere for $1 to $20. The $14.88 is a bit weird but not that unusual. I would look at any auto pay or direct deposit services you may have associated with your bank account, not your credit card. The bank statement should say who did the transaction.

EddyR · « **Reply #25 on:** August 31, 2011, 11:52:10 AM »

Do not go anywhere near Replica RC online store. They are just another name for a online store that has gone away.
Ed

andreas johansson · « **Reply #26 on:** August 31, 2011, 02:52:14 PM »

Brodaks payment processing is offline. If you order you are asked to call them to leave CC details. Maybe they had some problem after all?

Andreas

scott matthews · « **Reply #27 on:** August 31, 2011, 03:22:15 PM »

Just got back from the bank, the bogus charge was someone still trying to run my old card.Also told me that they tried to purchase items several other times but the bank has rejected these charges because the card has been cancelled.

qaz049 · « **Reply #28 on:** September 01, 2011, 01:51:31 AM »

My bank picked up a bogus .99 cent charge on my CC a few weeks ago. We cancelled the card.

I just swapped emails with a flying mate and he reported exactly the same thing.

We're both in Australia and have had recent CC transactions with Brodak USA and no others.

Dick Pacini · « **Reply #29 on:** September 01, 2011, 02:28:57 AM »

Someone should contact John Brodak and make him aware that his company appears to be a common thread. I am sure he will get right on it and check from his end.

I have made quite a few purchases from Brodak using my CC without incident, but it has been a few months since.

andreas johansson · « **Reply #30 on:** September 01, 2011, 10:47:49 AM »

Quote from: Dick Pacini on September 01, 2011, 02:28:57 AM

Someone should contact John Brodak and make him aware that his company appears to be a common thread. I am sure he will get right on it and check from his end.

I have made quite a few purchases from Brodak using my CC without incident, but it has been a few months since.

I think Brodak already is aware of the problem as their payment system still is offline.

Andreas

Bill Diedrich · « **Reply #31 on:** September 01, 2011, 01:02:03 PM »

If memory serves me the Brodak site was hacked into
a few weeks back, might have something to do with the
fiasco.

BD

andreas johansson · « **Reply #32 on:** September 01, 2011, 02:35:07 PM »

Thanks for the information Bill. Hopefully Brodak will use a better payment processing system when they get it up and running again and maybe include more payment options like Paypal.

Andreas

Leester · « **Reply #33 on:** September 02, 2011, 07:37:54 PM »

I had my Discover Card hacked two weeks ago, no Brodak or Tower was JC Penney and Lowes. Discover NEVER makes you pay for fraudulant charges. They notified me ASAP when a 1.00 charge and several other suspicious charges showed. New card and all bogus charges eliminated. OBTW one of the charges was NAPSTER also.

alan roadknight · « **Reply #34 on:** September 03, 2011, 07:13:36 AM »

yet another.I had a call from AMEX last week ,followed by my VISA 2 days later , both with the same scenario [2 x small charges followed by on big one ] Linked my visa to a PAY_Pal a/c and made on line purchases . I now have 2 new cards and am in the process of having my main computer wiped clean.Also recently used both cards at BRODAK and a few other suppliers although the bank was happy that i had only purchased from secure sites,from now on i will stick with pay pal and use a visa debit for on-line purchases
good luck to you all
Al
downunder

Luiz Ribeiro · « **Reply #35 on:** September 03, 2011, 08:35:02 AM »

It happened to me. Recently I placed orders to Tower Hobbies and Brodak. The last one, to Brodak, was on 08/29/2011. On 08/31 and 09/01 the hackers tried to pay with my card, US$ 1.00 to Napster, Google and Yahoo. After this, bigger amounts to Box Fresh and Easy Jet, in UK, much bigger amounts in three other places, that the bank didn’t tell me where. After contacting me, the bank blocked this card and told that they will refund me of eventual financial losses. What I hope so.
In the last two months I did buy from other internet stores, that I am accustomed to buy. I am accustomed to make shop via internet since 1997 and never had a problem of this kind. I buy from Tower Hobbies, via internet, since more than ten years and from Brodak from more than three years and trust in those people. Considering the reports in this forum, I think that it would be much better and secure for them and for us if Brodak, as already done by Tower and other shops, started to work with PayPal.

Luiz

RC Storick · « **Reply #36 on:** September 03, 2011, 10:54:29 PM »

Quote from: Andreas on August 30, 2011, 04:03:18 AM

What are the punishments for this type of crimes in the US?
Andreas

90 days in the electric chair.

Karl Knipper · « **Reply #37 on:** September 04, 2011, 09:45:50 PM »

Holy smokes, I have been away from the forums. This same thing happened to me this past week. They linked my card to paypal. it was only a .50 charge, but they had all my numbers, and even the 3 digit thing on the back. The last time I used it for a purchase was from Tower and Brodaks.
It just seems like an awful coincidence. I closed everything down and changed everything, even the Bank account.

andreas johansson · « **Reply #38 on:** September 05, 2011, 03:00:23 AM »

There one see, one more to the list! The common source seems to be Brodak, especially since Brodaks payment system still is offline. Yes, I check daily as I need to order an fueltank and some other parts.

Andreas

Bill Diedrich · « **Reply #39 on:** September 05, 2011, 06:55:37 AM »

The only problem I have had was earlier this year I did the 3 payments at
Tower Hobby and the next month that the 2nd payment was due, my credit
card company notiified met that someone had purchased 3 online subscriptions
to Norton Anti-virus, closed the credit card down and was issued another but
the $300 purchase was held in limbo pending an investigation which was cleared
in less than 30 days, the IP address was somwewhere in North Carolina, was told
credit was issued and investigation turned over to FBI Internet Crime Division.

Calling Norton yeilded the IP address and e-mail address, turned it all over to the
local authorities and was told they couldn't do anything about it by one of their
detectives, go figure, I had done all of the leg work for them all they had to do was
forward it to the local authorities in the town of the registered IP address, and as far
as I can gather nothing from my end ever happened.

Guy B Jr · « **Reply #40 on:** September 05, 2011, 11:36:13 PM »

I haven't seen anyone making a comment re my post #19, where I state that you can get a "shopsafe" number from many credit card companies, that can only be used on one transaction. I have used them for years with no problems.

andreas johansson · « **Reply #41 on:** September 05, 2011, 11:48:18 PM »

Guy! Yes, that is also a way. We have a similiar system here in Sweden called e-card, its a temporary card number and one charges the card with just the amount of $ needed to make the purchase.

frank williams · « **Reply #42 on:** September 06, 2011, 07:56:25 AM »

Add me to the list. A couple of small charges to Napster and then some big ones. Bank of America fraud caught it pretty quick. Their assessment was that the Chevron fillup in Centerville Tx on the way to Dallas this weekend was the culprit. They say that a device put into pump ( sithout the stations knowledge) will read the card info and since I had to put in a PIN it read that also.

So ..... never again will I use the debit card at a gas pump. Back to the company credit cards.

Joe Mig · « **Reply #43 on:** September 06, 2011, 09:01:56 AM »

Quote from: Andreas on September 05, 2011, 03:00:23 AM

There one see, one more to the list! The common source seems to be Brodak, especially since Brodaks payment system still is offline. Yes, I check daily as I need to order an fueltank and some other parts.

Andreas

I think they should have Pay-Pal as it seems safer.

PerttiMe · « **Reply #44 on:** September 06, 2011, 10:16:17 AM »

Transfers straight from "my bank" to "your bank" look like a pretty safe system to me. Don't know if that involves any hazzles in USA.

I can access my bank accounts in Finland online, using an account number (not the same as bank account number) and one-use passwords that the bank provides. Then I can transfer the money to a shop's account in Germany, France or UK. Might take a working day for them to process.

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #45 on:** September 06, 2011, 01:35:45 PM »

I've had recent problems with a couple of credit cards and have not used any of the vendors mentioned. Someone in California swiped my Discover card while I was holding both of them in my hand in Texas.

andreas johansson · « **Reply #46 on:** September 06, 2011, 03:12:30 PM »

Quote from: Joe Mig on September 06, 2011, 09:01:56 AM

I think they should have Pay-Pal as it seems safer.

Yes, indeed they should! Its a fairly secure solution that most of us use. C'mon Brodak, implement Paypal!

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #47 on:** September 07, 2011, 02:17:16 PM »

I just got hit on my VISA.. Bank called and asked if I had charged $1 for Napster.. new cards on the way.

I'm not sure where it came from, but the minimal Napster charge first is a prime clue. I suspect a good percentage of credit card fraud can be detected just looking for first time Napster $1 charges.

L.

"Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing." -Robert Benchley

BillLee · « **Reply #48 on:** September 07, 2011, 03:27:17 PM »

Maybe it's a first-time charge ANYwhere for $1 or so. In my case it was a $1 charge to the Apple Store, a place I have never visited and have no need to visit.

Common thread seems to be recent purchase at Brodak. I bought a new B-25 case in July where I used the compromised card.

Bill

Joe Mig · « **Reply #49 on:** September 07, 2011, 04:28:54 PM »

Quote from: Andreas on September 06, 2011, 03:12:30 PM

Yes, indeed they should! Its a fairly secure solution that most of us use. C'mon Brodak, implement Paypal!

Well I need to place an order and called them but did not place it because I wanted to use Pay-Pal for several reasons like I sell on Ebay and have $ sent to my P P and I could use those funds with out having my wife know what I'm spending .

I almost had them by sending them payment trough P P but then when they had to open an account they said they did not want to open one at this time. I think they are stuck in y 2000, maybe if a few people ask they just might do it.